Types of fly fishing

Even a novice to fly fishing will know at least some of what we’re about to say here, though hopefully you will discover some useful new knowledge as well. In the most basic terms, we use an artificial 'fly'  to catch fish. We cast  using a fly rod, reel, and specialised weighted line. But to cast a virtually weightless fly or 'lure’ requires techniques significantly different from other forms of casting. The hand tied flies resemble natural invertebrates or other food organisms, or 'lures' to provoke the fish to strike.

You can fly fish in either fresh or salt water. North Americans usually define freshwater fishing between cold-water species (trout, salmon, steelhead) and warm-water species, notably bass. In the UK, where natural water temperatures are more constant, the distinction is between game fishing for trout or salmon and coarse fishing for other species. The techniques for fly fishing also differ with the habitat - which consist of lakes and ponds, small streams, large rivers, bays and estuarys and open ocean.

The fly modern fly line is almost always coated with plastic and is heavy enough to send the fly to the target. The main difference between fly fishing and spin or bait fishing is that in the former the weight of the line carries the hook through the air, whereas with the spin and bait style the weight of the lure or sinker at the end of the monofilament or braided line giving casting distance. Artificial flies are of several types, some imitating either a flying or swimming insect, and others a bait fish or crustacean. There are other flies, completely artificial, which can be used successfully  to attract fish, even though they look like nothing in nature. Flies can be made either to float or sink, and range in size from a few millimeters to 30 cm long. Most of them are between 1 and 5 cm.

In our fly fishing shop all our products have descriptions which will help you decide what you best require for your own needs.