Fly Fishing for Women - A Beginner’s Guide
August 28th, 2009 Subscribe To Our Feed
Its a little known fact that women have been participating in fly fishing for many years, but in recent times its become a very popular recreation activity for women. There are more women participating in the sport of fly fishing each day, as more women discover the tranquillity of fishing outdoors close to mother nature, as well as the relaxation of fly fishing.
Women’s fly fishing clubs and organizations now exist for women who are interested in fly fishing. One such organization is International Women Fly Fishers, an international non-profit organization which brings women interested in fly fishing together from all over the world, and also have a directory of women’s fly fishing in the United States and from around the world.
Fly Fishing Gear for Women
Men and women are not created equal in body shape. Until recently, a woman would have had to purchase fly fishing gear made for men if they wanted start out in the sport of fly fishing. When it comes to buying fly fishing gear today, the selection available for women has improved quite a bit. The big fly fishing manufacturers have started to realise that women are an increasingly growing segment of the fly fishing market, and have started making equipment specific for women. Whether a woman is looking to buy freshwater fly fishing gear, or saltwater fly fishing gear, there is now equipment specifically available.
Gear made specifically for women include fly fishing rods which are designed to be lighter, and have smaller grips to suit the smaller hands of women. Waders designed to fit the shape of a woman’s body are also now available, as well as women’s wading boots. Fly fishing vests and chest packs designed for women are also now being made by manufacturers.
Sage, makers of some of the finest fly rods in the fly fishing industry (such as the Sage Smallmouth Fly Fishing Rod), now make a fly fishing rod tailor made for women, the Sage Z-Axis Small Grip Fly Rod. Winston also make the Winston Joan Wulff Fly Rod, which is another high quality rod. These rods designed with smaller grips, and are lighter in weight to better suit women anglers.
Simms have now launched waders that are specifically shaped to fit women, the Simms Women’s Headwater Waders. For women looking for stockingfoot waders, you cant beat the quality of these 3-layer Gore-Tex waders. Simms also make wading boots specifically designed for women, the Simms Women’s Headwaters Boot, which are narrower than equivalent men’s wading boot, are lightweight, and are ideally suited for women.
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How To Choose A Fly Fishing Rod
August 26th, 2009 Subscribe To Our Feed
The correct use of a fly fishing rod is to make it build up momentum in the fly fishing line and in addition use a rod that helps to control the distance as well as direction of the fly line. The fly fishing rod is also used to fight off fish after they have been caught but are trying to escape and so you will do well to ensure that you pick a rod that is strong and also of the proper size, especially in relation to the kind of fish you plan on catching. Whether you plan on catching a nine inch brook trout or an eighty pound tarpon you have to pick the right fly fishing rod which in turn requires that you choose an appropriate size as well as stiffness in the rod.
Variety Of Lengths And Sizes Of Fly Fishing Rod
The modern fly fishing rod is characterized by the fact that it is available in a variety of lengths as well as sizes with the latter aspect being governed by the weight of the fly line. So, if you want to purchase a five weight fly fishing rod you will find that the ideal rod to be one that is designed to facilitate the right weight of the fly line which in this case means using a five weight fly line while a ten weight rod works best when a ten weight fly line is used.
In essence, varying fly line weights should match the fly fishing rod’s stiffness as well as load characteristics and as the size of the road increases the size too becomes larger so as to accommodate the bigger line weights. It is therefore safe to assume that a heavy fly line will require that the fly fishing rod is stiffer that in turn will ensure a better and more accurate cast. The only thing is that even with identical weight categories, the rod can have various ‘actions’ or flex profiles.
This ‘action’ will indicate towards the stiffness of rod as well as recovery speed and it indicates that rod will flex at certain points. It is quite common to find some rods having very stiff properties near the grip while the tips will be more flexible.
If you want to experience true relaxation when fly fishing then you will do well to pick up a bamboo fly fishing rod. Not only are such fly fishing rods old school and timeless beauties but you are also assured that with these kind of rods you are sure of enjoying the most laid back fishing experience ever.
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Beginners Guide to Saltwater Fly Fishing
August 26th, 2009 Subscribe To Our Feed
It was in the 1950s when people first started saltwater fly fishing, and in a relatively short period of time has gained in popularity, and today has become one of the most popular means of catching saltwater fish. Nowadays saltwater fly anglers can catch many species of saltwater fish, from deep water fish such as marlin or tuna, to shallow water fish such as bonefish or tarpon. Saltwater fly fishing is now the fastest growing segment of the fly fishing industry, and this guide to saltwater fly fishing will give you a brief introduction to the sport.
For beginners, the easiest places to start with saltwater fly fishing are calm bodies of water that one can wade in, such as inshore beaches, rivers flowing into the ocean, and salt ponds. Fishing from flats near the shore, and from a jetty is easier than fishing from a boat at sea.
Saltwater Rods, Reels and Lines
Saltwater fly fishing requires specialized equipment, but fortunately due to the increased popularity of the sport, equipment for any budget is now available. Before buying equipment, the angler must know the conditions that they intend fishing in, from sheltered to rough seas, and the size and species of fish they intend catching. These two variables will determine the size of the rod you use, as well as the size of fly you use.
Saltwater fly rods range between 7-weight to 12-weight, and are normally between 8 to 10 feet in length. When buying a saltwater rod, remember to get one with stainless steel guides, so they don’t rust, and its advisable to get a rod with a padded fighting butt which can be fixed or removable.
Saltwater fly reels are normally better quality than freshwater fly reels. When you buy a reel, make sure that all the reel’s components are saltwater resistant so it won’t rust. It is recommended that your saltwater fly reel have an excellent drag system, and provide enough line capacity for your saltwater fly line, 100-300 yards of leader, and 15 feet of backing line.
The saltwater fly line most commonly used is a floating line, which is used to catch fish near the water’s surface and for shallow water fishing. Some fishermen use an intermediate line that sinks slowly, and others may use a sinking line or sink-tip line to try and catch fish at deeper levels. Generally weight forward lines are preferred in order to be able to cast a decent distance with the strong winds and with the rougher water encountered on the sea. The line weight normally matches the rod weight, but sometimes a slightly heavier line is used, especially in windy conditions. When buying saltwater flies for saltwater fly fishing, consult local experienced anglers or local tackle shops for advice on what flies work best.
Leaders and Tippets
With saltwater fly fishing, your leader is generally heavier and shorter than a leader used in freshwater fly fishing, as saltwater fish don’t spook as easily as freshwater fish. You can use 6 to 10 feet of 25-30 pound strength leader, attached to about 3 feet of tippet with a 15 pound strength rating. It is a good idea to use shock tippets (or bite tippets) when you plan on catching fish with strong teeth. The same knots used for freshwater fly fishing can be used for saltwater fly fishing – the Arbor Knot, Albright Knot, Nail Knot, Double Surgeons Knot, and the Improved Clinch Knot.
Shooting Basket
It’s recommended that you get a shooting basket for saltwater fly fishing, which is used to keep the fly line from becoming tangled up around your feet, boat cleats and other objects on a boat. Its also useful to keep the line out of the water whilst wading, which allows you to make longer casts because of the reduced drag resistance.
Caring for Your Equipment
Saltwater fly fishing equipment requires more care than freshwater equipment to ensure that the equipment does not corrode and rust. You must rinse all your fly fishing equipment after use, using cloth and some soap, then wipe with clean cloth and allow to dry.
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Freshwater Fishing
August 16th, 2009 Subscribe To Our Feed
For lots of folks, sea fishing is the ultimate thrill. You see, nowadays more people grow up around lakes and rivers than around the sea. Freshwater fishing is something that we all take for granted. With lots lakes and rivers, you can stand on the shore, wade out in the water, or even take a ship with relative safety. The sea means journey. The largest freshwater fish don’t compare to some of those monsters they have in the sea, and even some of the worst hurricanes on the great lakes are nothing compared to how things can get on the ocean when the weather turns rotten. Sea fish often have lower concentrations of mercury and other pollutants, making them safer to eat in large amounts than many freshwater fish. However, for my money, freshwater fishing is still a better activity. Nothing in the world beats it.
Of course, I might be a little bit mawkish due to how I was raised. You may say that freshwater fishing is in my blood. My father was a brilliant fly fisherman, and in fact he seemed to make a lot of money giving fly fishing tours and selling gear to both locals and holiday makers from out of city. Although we were taught to look down on line fishing, we still did a fair amount from time to time. Flyfishing is great, but there is so much variety to freshwater fishing that it is a shame to limit yourself to only 1 activity. Although the particular fishing isn’t exactly as exciting, lake fishing still has some benefits over fishing in a stream. There is nothing like spending a day out on the water, casting off again and again from a boat as the waves carefully rock you.
One of the greatest things about freshwater fishing is that you do not want an expert to guide you. If you are going fishing in the ocean, you definitely need some expert advice. Just staying safe can be tough on the ocean! With tiny lakes and streams, by contrast, the worst you may do isn’t catch any fish. And while things look roughly the same when you are out on the sea, each mile of a lake or stream is dissimilar. When you go on a freshwater fishing trip, you’ve got an chance to seem some of the best scenery anywhere. And all that while catching delectable fish!
For a huge selection of freshwater fishing tackle see the Swiftys Fishing Tackle website.
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Antique Fishing Lures-Secrets Revealed
August 16th, 2009 Subscribe To Our Feed
Antique fishing lures sound like something taken out of a dusted box or like the primitive rods and hooks used by our fishermen forfathers. Antique fishing lures are still used, although their presence is preferred in private collections. There is a difference between new lures which are designed to look sleek and reminiscent of the live bait and older ones which do not have this particular appearance. Actually, stiffness best describes antique fishing lures. They also try to replicate a partial look of the insects used in fishing.
There are interesting stories to tell about some of the antique fishing lures you use or collect. Normally, classic lures can be used with any type of fish, with some exceptions due to variation, species and habitat. Information is pretty scarce on older fishing lures, because the new models are in the spot light at present.
Many stores still provide antique fishing lures although you may not find them precisely under this very name. Internet sites and some auction houses may be the right places to visit for such acquisitions. These places usually have different varieties of fishing lures in stock and the prices they ask for are also different from one source to another depending on certain factors. Sometimes you can get certain antique models in modern shops together with recent designs, either for comparison or just for the sake of diversity. You can also get the information about the places where such lures can be bought from other hobbists.
If you search the Internet for antique fishing lures, you may also come across some very interesting materials on the history of fishing, the evolution of fishing gear and the tradition of the manufacturers. Books, online guides and magazines could also be of great help for the matter.
Some antique fishing lures are sold for small fortunes, but there are buyers for them despite the very high costs. Such highly valuable designs can be even one hundred years old, and they usually belong to mature collections that are occasionally sold at auctions. To give some approximated price, we’d say they range between $1,000 and $5,000. They usually end up in the possession of passionate collectors who belong to exclusive groups. From time to time other collectors try to step into this group but they cannot be considered buyers at the first level.
For further free information on Fishing Lures visit Fishing Lures For Sale
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An Overview of Nymph Fly Fishing Technique
August 16th, 2009 Subscribe To Our Feed
What are nymphs and the best nymphs to use for nymph fly fishing
What is Nymph Fly Fishing
Nymph fly fishing is a more difficult fly fishing technique than dry fly fishing, as the nymph is under the water’s surface, and cannot be seen by the angler. Novice fly fishermen learn dry fly fishing first, because the fly is easy to see, and then progress to nymph fly fishing at a later date. If the water you are fishing in is deep, or you cannot see any insect surface activity, then you will probably have more success with nymph fly fishing.
An aquatic insect in the adolescence (or underwater) stage of growth is called a nymph. You only see adult insects on the surface of the water. These insects have “grown up” out of the larvae, or underwater stage. The flies used for nymph fishing imitate the underwater or larvae stage of an insect.
The Challenge of Nymph Fly Fishing?
With dry fly fishing, the angler can see the fish strike the fly. With nymph fly fishing it’s a lot more tricky, as the nymph is underwater, and you cannot see the fish strike. The beginner fisherman may not know when to set the hook as it is tougher to detect a strike on the nymph. Also, the beginner fly fisherman may get confused when the underwater nymph bumps into underwater rocks or logs, and may confuse this with a fish striking the nymph. There is always a possibility that the nymph will get hooked onto an underwater rock or log, and its always difficult to get the nymph unstuck.
With nymph fly fishing, the angler needs to think in an additional third dimension in order to calculate the depth the nymph should be in order to catch fish. Changes will have to be made to the line in order to achieve this depth. Also fish don’t tend to strike a nymphs as hard as they do dry flies on the water’s surface, so it’s more difficult to know the exact time to set the hook.
Equipment Required for Nymph Fishing
For successful nymph fishing, you will need a strike indicator. A strike indicator is a brightly coloured object that floats on top of the water, and when this indicator bobs in an unnatural manner that means you have a strike. Normally the strike indicator is attached to your leader well away from your nymph, or are attached to the fly line itself.
Next, you will need some small weights to put on your floating fly line or leader to get your nymph to the correct depth. Alternatively, you can use a sink-tip fly line instead of a floating line with weights. Another useful item for nymph fly fishing is a good pair of polarized sunglasses which will reduce the glare reflected from the water and enable you to see the strike indicator clearly. The type of fly fishing rod you use will depend on the size of the river or stream being fished - generally, the smaller the river or stream, the shorter the rod required.
Dead Drift Fishing Technique
The most common nymph fly fishing technique that even a beginner can master is the “dead drift” fishing technique. This involves casting directly across the river, and letting the fly line drift downriver whilst keeping any slack out of the line. Perform an upstream mend if the nymph is drifting too quickly, or a downstream mend if the nymph is drifting too slowly. In the event of a strike, the angler just points the rod at the fly, and lifts the rod to set the hook. This method of fly fishing requires that the angler head downstream.
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