Frequently Asked Questions

What equipment do I need to get started?

The first and most obvious thing you’ll need to get started is a fly rod. You will also need a fly line that is tapered (not straight), a fly reel, leader line, and flies. These are the most basic things you need in order to get out on the water.

Other items that would be helpful but are not necessary are polarized sunglasses and a full-brimmed hat. The hat will keep the sun off you and keep you from getting cooked. Sunscreen is a good companion to the hat as well. A hat will also protect your neck in case your fly decides to get a little wild and get stuck in your neck. Polarized sunglasses help with the sun as well, but the sunglasses also allow you to see through the glare on the water to see the fish better. If you plan on fishing from the bank or from a boat, then you can forgo getting a set of waders and boots. You can hold off getting a vest until your equipment can no longer fit in your pockets.

What is a fly?

A fly is an artificial lure made from fur, feathers, and other materials. These materials are tied to a hook to imitate the size, shape, and color of the food that the fish is feeding upon. Flies come in all different sizes and are meant to imitate a large variety of insects in all stages of that insects life. Successful fly patterns will vary on the region. The best way to find out what fly is best to use is to scout the river or lake you are fishing on to see what insects are in that area. A local sporting goods store or fly shop will also have great tips on which fly is best for the area you’ll be in.

Parachute Adams

 Some flies are also tied to annoy the fish or get it to attack. Traditionally the description of fly was only used to describe an insect imitation. Today, that description has been expanded to generally describe any type of food imitation with a fly rod.

I am just starting to fly fish, what flies should I get right away?

There are 3 basic tie patterns in fly fishing. Dry flies, nymphs, and streamers. Dry flies sit on top of the water and imitate a flying insect trying to dry its wings or resting on the water. Nymphs sink in the water and bounce along the bottom of the river or lake. Nymphs are meant to imitate an insect that is in the larvae stage of development. Nymphing is often the most successful fly in fly fishing because fish find most of their diet underwater. Streamers are meant to imitate larger parts of a fish’s diet. Streamers could be made to imitate small leeches, baitfish, crayfish, frogs, and very large insects.

Having a variety of these different flies will take care of any fly-fishing situation you find yourself in. Consult local fly shops to know which fly is best for the type of fish you are trying to attract.

What is a tippet?

A tippet is a fine piece of specialized line that connects your leader line to your fly. Tippet varies in size and weight to help with the presentation of your fly. The tippet helps to keep your fly look as natural as possible and is practically invisible on the water. Tippet has an “X” rating scale to determine which size is going to work best for the fly you are using. Below is a chart to help you determine the size of tippet you need.

Tippet Size in X	Diameter	Approximate Breaking Strength Lbs	Recommended Fly Size (Hook Size)
8X	.003”	1.75	22-28
7X	.004”	2.5	18-24
6X	.004”	3.5	16-22
5X	.006”	4.75	14-18
4X	.007”	6	12-16
3X	.008”	8.25	6-8
2X	.009”	11.5	4-8
1X	.010”	13.5	2-6
0X	.011”	15.5	1/0-4

What is mending?

Mending is used to get the slack out of your fly line. It is used mostly when fishing with dry flies or nymphs. Mending keeps your line from dragging on the water and can also help to control speed in the current. Mending simply means pulling in your fly line as the fly moves closer to you. By keeping the slack out of your line, you will be able to set the hook immediately.