FS Digest

Just getting into fly fishing, and with the help of a local club I’m learning to cast, but the issue is, that is all the club teaches. I’m eager to learn the more minute things like how do I land a fish and how do I handle it, etc. but when I went looking for local guides (SoCal area), they charged like 450 for a half day class which I just can’t afford.

So what I’m wondering is, how do I bridge the gap between just casting a fly and actually fly fishing? None of my friends flyfish and I’m not eager to shell out that much money for a guide on top of all the gear I would need.

I know there are a ton of books and that YouTube has lots of resources too, but I’m looking for something a bit more hands on. All advice welcome.

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by s1lv3rsh0t

FS Digest

The only way to learn how to fish is by going fishing.

Get out there and flail around. There is no substitute for time on the water. In the meantime, read everything you can and watch videos. Then get out there and do it.

Most of these videos are aimed at beginners.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCX5H2TAWddhGYYcCR5dc3sQ

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by Huge_Fly_Fisherman

FS Digest

Head down to the fly shop and meet some folks, watch a ton of youtube vids and get out there. If you’re polite, you’ll meet people on the water. Really it’s a case of doing. Things like fish landing and safe release are heavily addressed in books, vids and podcasts. Orvis has a ton of info on the site as well as in store classes.

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by bsarocker

FS Digest

I figure it’s the same as climbing. I bring the beer and you teach me the things.

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by s1lv3rsh0t

FS Digest

Yup, same deal a beer goes a long way in that area.

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by bsarocker

FS Digest

Do you live in the SoCal area? I’m in Phoenix and joined a club here that is largely retirees it’s $50/year. There are 50 dudes who know their stuff and have helped me. Find a club.

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by cdogrob

FS Digest

So I’m in a club that is also largely retirees. I guess I just need to hang out with them more before I can get them to actually take me out. Also doesn’t help that they fish on their time and I work 7-3

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by s1lv3rsh0t

FS Digest

Do they have weekend casting practices or monthly fly tying classes or anything?

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by cdogrob

FS Digest

Weekend casting practices that I attend, and the occasional fly tying class which I haven’t attended yet but am hoping to starting this week.

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by s1lv3rsh0t

FS Digest

The Mad River Outfitters YouTube channel has some fantastic videos. They have a whole series devoted to getting started. Watch those and get out and try to replicate what you learn, once you have a basic idea of how it is supposed to work the best way to learn is to just get out and figure it out. You will get frustrated, you will get hung up in trees, you will be cursing trying to tie the knots. If you don't have patience fly fishing will teach you some. There will always be more to learn but stick to the basics at first.

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by jnumz

FS Digest

Usually there is a parking area where people are getting ready. That's a good spot to talk to people. Walking up to people while they are fishing will have mixed results. A lot of people like their space and don't like fishing close to people. Really depends on the area. If the area is crowded its probably safe to talk to people, socialize and ask questions.

If you find your self on a stream or creek with with cars pulled off to the side every 1/4 mile I wouldn't bug people. Just a small etiquette thing. What's happening in those areas is people park, and then hike up the river. So you don't want to jump ahead of them. Try to start a fair distance down river from people when you find a spot. YouTube helps a ton with knots and general setup. Since you're just starting out I wouldn't worry too much about matching hatches although that is a super fun part of fishing. Try some attractor flies, fish are rising try a royal wulff or coachman. Not riding add a attractor nymph to the end of the dry like a frenchie.

San juan warms sends to be good as well. Casting is fun and important but it's not always a river runs through it style where you're making these long casts with air mends and stuff. Short accurate casts will do the trick. Roll casts are an important tool to have if there are trees blocking your back cast. Learn to identify seams. Watching bubbles on the water is a good tip. The fish food/bugs will be flowing near the bubbles. Fish. Like to stage on the slower side on the seam, but they are watching for food by the bubbles.

With all the information though you just have to go out and try. You'll find things that work for you and things that don't. Everyone gets skunked from time to time. Fish can be very picky sometimes. Don't be afraid to switch flies. Don't get stuck on a certain hole. Happy hunting

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by Denotsyek

edkealer

If you are a vet, look up a group called Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing. They teach not only casting but a lot of other things related to fly fishing, like rod building, fly tying and fishing techniques.
Typically their classes start in January and run through May. Then they start fishing. You make your own rod and flies and then fish them on several rivers and lakes across the country all at NO COST to the veteran.
If you are not a vet, look them up anyway and consider volunteering. You may wind up with the same benefits as the vets.

DonaldRotter80 Loc: St, Cloud, Minnesota

If you are bent on being a purist, work through it! If you just want to catch fish and use flies BECAUSE they are SO EFFECTIVE, try this. This depends on what you are fishing for. If you are after sunfish and crappies another option is a spinning rod and reel, a torpedo float and a leader and fly. I fly fished for years and grew tired of hooking trees and constantly avoiding hooking people and dogs that walk behind you without warning. I did not like the 90 weight line used to deliver the fly and leader to the fish and the finger manipulating retrieve necessary to entice and hook the quarry. What did I do! I almost exclusively fish for panfish and am very successful. I us a lightweight spinning outfit, a torpedo float, a 6 ft. or shorter leader depending on conditions and a Timberwolf fly. I have tried numerous lines and no longer even switch. Many years ago I discovered Green Trilene line and use 6 lb Green Trilene XT (Extra Tough!) DO NOT USE the XL (Extra Limp!) or you will have nasty snarls and shredding of the line in weeds and around rocks and brush. I tie the 6 lb. test line to the eye of the small end of the torpedo float and a 4 lb. leader of Green Trilene XT to the large end of the torpedo float and then of course the fly on the end of the leader. The trick is to SHOOT (NOT LOB) the float, leader and fly out over the water and stop the float just before it enters the water and the fly and leader will pass the float up and all land simultaneously. I usually use a 6 foot leader and then shorten it in shallower water or if the fish are constantly attacking the float. Pull the float towards you to get the fly to move up, stop and reel to take up the slack, and repeat this while watching for the float to twitch or jump or the line to jump or the fish to surface while inhaling the fly. When the fish are feeding in the calm, warm bays the action is fast and furious and I have out fished many with fly rods as I simply cast and retrieve a fish while they are false casting and trying to reach the fish. I used to be a purist but am enjoying catching more fish and releasing many more than I could legally keep and by hooking them lightly in the mouth they have no problem surviving to live and fight another day. I have an elderly fishing companion who I supplied with a green torpedo float because he is color blind and cannot see the red one I use. I had some maggots leftover from our winter fishing and I put one on his fly which then caused the fish to hold the artificial fly longer and allow him to catch them before they spit it out. Now we both use maggots on the fly and catch lots of sunfish, crappies, bass and a number of good sized northern pike. Again, if you are a purist this won't work for you and to each their own! If you don't have the time or desire to match the fly rod, heavy line and necessary reel and other equipment this is an option. As I said, I WAS a purist fly fisherman for many, many years but eventually changed and have NO DESIRE or INTENTION to ever go back. I prefer the quick delivery of my system. Again to each their own and good fishing!

Hotfntuna

I hired a guy for $50hr. to teach me, and he told me if I had to spend more than a $100 for him to teach me what I needed to know, he failed teaching me.