Rods Most fly rods built today are made from graphite. Graphite provides a lightweight,
strong tool for casting a fly line and delivering the fly to your target. Typically,
fly rods are between 7 and 9 feet in length, and will cast flies ranging in size
from a tiny mosquito to a mackerel-sized baitfish imitation. They're also designed
to handle fish ranging in size from small trout and panfish to ocean speedsters
like Sailfish.
Reels
Fly reels are designed to perform two major functions for the fly fisher. First,
they serve as a place to store the fly line, and secondly they're designed to
provide resistance or "drag" against a fish so that they can be landed
in an efficient manner. Most reels are made from lightweight aluminum, either
cast molded, or machined from a solid block of aluminum for maximum strength and
durability.
Lines
The fly line is the weight that carries a relatively weightless fly to the target.
Line weights generally range from 2 through 12. The line weight should be chosen
based primarily on the size of the flies that you'll most likely be fishing, and
should be matched to a rod designed to cast that same line weight. Bigger flies
require heavier line weights to cast them because the bigger the fly, the more
wind resistant it is. The most popular line weights are right in the middle of
the range (5-8), providing versatility with minimal expense. A floating line will
suffice for most fishing situations, but for presenting flies at greater depths,
you may opt for a line that sinks.
Backing
This is the insurance policy that every fly fisher hopes to use. Backing is usually
a small diameter braided synthetic, designed to provide backup in case a fish
takes out all of the fly line while hooked. It is tied directly to the reel spool
at one end and connected to the back of the fly line at the other.
Leaders
A leader is the "invisible" connection between the fly line and the
fly, enabling the fly fisher to fool even the wariest of fish into thinking that
their feathered hook is the real thing. Leaders are tapered over their length
from a large diameter called the "butt," which is tied to the fly line,
down to the fine diameter "tippet" end, where the fly is tied on. This
taper allows the fly to be presented in a natural manner to the fish, keeping
the colored fly line at a distance and out of the fish's view.
Vests
The on-stream carryall that can store fly boxes, leaders, a rain jacket, lunch
and an assortment of other fly-fishing accessories in a readily accessible manner.
Waders
Waders come in two styles, boot-foot and stocking-foot. A boot-foot wader is the
easiest to use for people that fish on an occasional basis, or for shorter periods
of time. The uppers are often made of coated nylon or neoprene attached directly
to a calf-high rubber boot, providing a quick option for getting into the water
and staying dry. Stocking-foot waders are used in conjunction with a wading shoe,
and are used most frequently by fly fishers who need the extra comfort and support
that a shoe-style fit provides. The wading shoes get wet, but the angler stays
dry because the stocking part of the wader is completely waterproof. The soles
of both wading shoes and boot-foot waders have traditionally been made of pressed
polyester "felt." L.L.Bean's unique Aquastealth soles have provided
wading fly fishers with an alternative that outperforms felt soles both in and
out of the water. Developed in conjunction with a climbing shoe company, Aquastealth
rubber provides incredible in-stream traction on slippery rocks, with unparalleled
performance out of the water.
Flies
Choosing which fly to present to a fish is often the most challenging decision
that a fly fisher faces during the course of a day on the water. A well-prepared
angler will carry a wide variety of flies and fly sizes that can be fished at
all levels in the water column, from the bottom of the stream to the surface.
Seeing a trout rise to take a dry fly off the surface of a stream is one of the
most memorable experiences of fishing. However, the majority of a fish's feeding
is done subsurface on aquatic insects and baitfish. Be prepared to offer fish
more than the dry fly option when heading out to fish. A well-stocked fly box
with nymph and streamer patterns as well as dry flies will give you the smorgasbord
often needed to entice a fish to eat.
MyOAN! Welcome Tour
Fly
Fishing Basics
