Many stories about the one that got away would not be told if the angler had good knowledge of a few basic fly fishing knots. It is not always because they were in a hurry to get their line in the water that made the knot unable to withstand the pressure of a larger than expected fish. Sometimes it is a matter of simply not knowing any better. Whether the knots is for fixing the line to the rod, to a leader or attaching the fly, the strength of the fly fishing knots can make huge difference in the end of the story.

One of the most common fly fishing knots is the arbor knot used to secure the fly line to the arbor of the reel. Take the line around the spool and tie an overhand knot around the line. Then tie a second overhand knot a few inches past the first knot.

Lightly wet the line and pull the second know tight and then hold the spool in one hand, pull the line with tight with the other hand. The first knot will prevent the line from skipping through the second knot and the end can be trimmed and the reel loaded with line. The wet line will provide lubrication and help form tighter fly fishing knots.

Flies With Bent Eyes Require Different Knots

One of the other fly fishing knots used most often is the turle knot, used to attach flies to the line. Pass the lead end of the line through the eye of the fly and then make at least two wraps around the standing line, passing the leading end through the now formed loop, which forms an overhand knot. Once you pull this snug, you can pass the fly through the large remaining loop, tighten it down and trim the extra line. This type of fly fishing knots allows the fly to move more realistically on the water.

One of the keys to tying successful fly fishing knots is to wet the line with saliva or lake water before securing the knot. This helps lubricate the line making it easier to pull tight and once the line dries, will be stronger than a line tied when it is dry.

When using thinner line pulling the fly fishing knots too tight may result in a broken line. However, before casting the fly onto the water it is always better to check the strength of the fly fishing knots by pulling on the line to a pressure at least equal to the tested strength of the line.

When looking for new fly fishing rods, remember to match them to the type of fishing you will be doing as well as the size of the fish you are expecting to catch. The material of which the fly fishing rods are made will play a role in its performance as well its price with fiberglass being less expensive than graphite. Fiberglass rods are usually more durable than graphite rods, but the lighter graphite rods provide better accuracy for casting.

For fishing in waters where most of the casts will be short, a slow-action, flexible fly fishing rods have the most bend and should be used when angling for smaller fish. Medium action fly fishing rods, perhaps the best for beginners offer less flexibility and rod will bend in the middle and the tip when pulling in the fish. For larger fish or for casting lost range, a fast action rod is the better choice, although they lack the casting accuracy associated with lighter rods.

The length of the fly fishing rods also varies by the type of fishing you will be doing as well as the situations in which you will be casting. A medium length rod of between eight and 10 feet can provide better casting accuracy and strength and is often recommended for beginners.

Keeping Flies Out Of The Vegetation

If you are experienced enough to fish in tight quarters such as under trees or bushes or in small streams, short fly fishing rods of under eight feet will be better suited. Rods between eight and ten feet can handle bigger fish and will be needed for longer casts on wider streams or rivers. If you are fishing in larger bodies of water requiring longer casts or catching bigger fish, fly fishing rods longer than 10-feet is recommended. Graphite or fiberglass is an individual choice, as well as available budget.

It is recommended for beginners to start with medium length and medium flex fly fishing rods until they learn to control their casts and can do so accurately. Whenever you buy a new rod you should take it to a wide open area and use a dummy fly, that is one without a hook, and practice casting until you get a feel for the new rod.

Once you gain experience and can control the distance and accuracy of your casts, you can change to longer fly fishing rods with more flexibility to improve the length and overall efficiency of your casting.

One of the main parts of a fly angler’s equipment is their fly fishing waders and depending on the destination, the style and comfort can be chosen. Waders come in three basic styles, such as hip boots, overall and chest waders, depending on the depth of water expected to be encountered. Some anglers not anticipating water more than a foot or two deep, may opt for short rubber boots that reach only to their knees.

When looking for fly fishing waders the sole of the boot should be made to provide support and comfort to the bottom of the foot. Chances are you will be standing on the rocky bottom and boots with thin soles will become uncomfortable after a short time. Additionally, they should be designed to prevent slipping while walking over wet rocks and stones on the bottom. They are available to wear with or without shoes and many opt for the ones that do not require inner shoes to prevent your shoes from getting wet if water gets into the fly fishing waders.

Many fly fishing waders are also insulated to help keep your feet warm when walking through cold mountain streams. You will need to be careful not to allow this insulated interior to get wet as it can take several days to completely dry out and be ready to use again. Additionally, the material of which the insulation is made may deteriorate quickly if it becomes wet.

Material Improvements Keep Feet Dry And Warm

The environment in which you will be fishing will determine the type of fly fishing waders you buy. If there is a chance of the water rising above your waist, hip waders will not do the trick. While overalls may restrict your movements slightly, keeping dry should be the most important part of the decision. Chest waders will reach at least to your arm pits, and will offer less restriction, but a slight slip could allow water in over the top.

Many newer styles of fly fishing waders also include pockets for small tools or fly boxes and have the exterior pouches positioned out of the way of your arms when casting a fly. They may also be tear resistant, but absolutely be waterproof. Even if your have the best fly fishing waders that money can buy, you will want to carry a repair kit made specifically for the wader material in event of a rip.