Starting Out - Fly Fishing a Journey...
Where to begin.
Fly fishing is a beautiful and captivating activity that ensures a unique connection with nature. As an angler stands in the water, they feel the refreshing flow of the creek or river, and the soothing sound of the water as it rushes by. Wearing specialized equipment, they use a long, flexible rod to cast a lightweight imitation of insects onto the water’s surface. The goal is to fool the fish into biting the fly as they feed on insects swimming on the water. Fly fishing requires patience, practice, and skill. But once a fish is hooked, the adrenaline rush can be unparalleled. It is a relaxing but demanding pastime, requiring focus and tact. Whether fishing for hours or a few minutes, it’s not uncommon to get lost in the beauty of the nature surrounding. Fly fishing is a harmonious combination of art, sport, and nature, which has been enjoyed for centuries, and its magic is still ever-present today.
The Ottawa Fly Fishing Society is a great place to start.
Now we need some flies
There are thousands of flies sold either in fly shops or online. Don’t get sucked into buying dozens of flies. Think of where you will fish and what the water holds. If it’s Bass you are going after at first then you can’t go wrong with the Bead Head Woolly Bugger. Panfish will take Hares Ear Nymphs and Pheasant Tails. If you want to get deeper or you have to contend with current then pick the bead head version.
Basic knots you need to know.
There are three basic knots you need to learn.
- The Clinch Knot. This knot is used to tie the fly to the leader/tippet. Some people prefer the Improved Clinch Knot which is also shown on the left.
- The Surgeons Knot. Used to join two pieces of monofilament and or fluorocarbon material.
- The perfection Loop. The Perfection Loop is used to tie a loop into a piece of leader material. It’s a knot you won’t need as often as the other two, but it is good to know.
Helpful Video's
Tom Rosenbauer's Top three Knots
Tom gives us the top three knots needed to start fly fishing.
Tom Rosenbauer's Top Flies
Tom's deadly Dozen Flies
The Ideal Channel to learn the Art of Fly Fishing
Go through the channel and all the informative video's on Youtube. There is a wealth of information here.
Join the Ottawa Fly Fishing Society
Come join us. Where you will learn, share stories and meet new friends to spend time with on the water.