One of the many joys of fly fishing is we never stop learning. Everything we learn enhances our fly fishing experiences. Should we ever stop learning, or claim to know everything about fly fishing, the fish we seek to capture, fly fishing tackle, water craft or any facet which contributes to the vast pool of knowledge which is the "aqua vitae" of fly fishing then our fly fishing enjoyment and satisfaction will diminish.
Fortunately, there are no absolutes in fly fishing, just as there are no certainties when approaching the water for a days fly fishing. However, there are some fly fishing tips, tricks and wrinkles which can remove unnecessary frustration from a days fly fishing and allow the fly fisherman to concentrate on his fly fishing rather than losing valuable time in frustrating activities other than fly fishing.
The following fly fishing tips have been gleaned during the past four and a half decades from a host of fly fishing friends, acquaintances, guests, guides and ghillies from around the fly fishing globe from the Tweed and Test to Thailand - I hope they help you enjoy your fly fishing as they have helped me enjoy my fly fishing. Also, pass them on - fly fishing is about sharing .
1. Jammed Ferrules on Fly Rod
This fly fishing conundrum has been with us since the days of metal ferrules. No fly rod is immune to this condition. Nothing mars a days fly fishing than when it is time to pack up the fly rod which cannot be taken apart because the ferrules are stuck fast. The trick is to prevent the ferrules sticking. An easy preventative cure is to take the male section of each ferrule and firmly rub it behind your ear before assembling your rod! This fly fishing tick really works and saves frustration and prevents damage to the fly rod.
2. Fly Rod will not fit into Rod Tube
Try this - first put the fly rod handle section into the bag first - with the cork handle uppermost i.e. upside down. Place all other sections into the bag with the thickest part of the section going in first i.e. right way up. Roll the bag up and it will fit easily into the fly rod tube.
3. Keeping Dry in an open Boat.
I often see fly fishing guests struggling to get into very expensive Goretex over trousers and coats, all custom designed for fly fishing. By far, the best rainwear in a small boat is a military style poncho. Just stick your head through the single hole in the middle and sit down with your bag between your legs and wait for the rain to stop. Also when you tear it - a $10 poncho is less heartbreaking than a $300 dollar fancy fly fishing suit.
4. Untangling Fly Fishing Leaders
It happens to all of us when we go fly fishing - more often than we care to admit or wish to remember. As a fly fishing guide I have to untangle my guests leaders as quickly as possible so they can get on with their fly fishing. Most fly fishers tend to take hold of both ends of the line and pull the tangle tight. Thus making it almost impossible to untangle. Simply keep all the loops as slack and open as possible and use your fingers to keep them open. Then it is a simple matter of taking the fly and passing back through the loops until the fly leader is freed up.
5. Releasing a hung up fly
Getting the fly caught up on the backcast is another frustrating fly fishing glitch. Again, many fly fishermen immediately tug on the line using their fly rod. This merely tightens and ensnares the fly and can result in a broken rod tip. Strip of some line from the fly reel and place your fly rod in a safe place. Go to the snagged fly and release it as shown above. Pulling on the fly line until the leader snaps not only wastes fly fishing time by having to replace the leader and lost fly but leaves a length of nylon in the bushes which becomes a lethal trap for birds and small mammals. If the fly is snagged too high and out of reach, a simple home made gadget will help out. Take an aluminium cigar case or piece of plastic tube with one end closed off with tape. Attach to the side of the tube a narrow U shaped strong wire which is about the same length of the tube (about 6 inches or so). Ensure the inverted U is at the closed end of the tube. Tie a long piece of fine strong cord to the tube. Simply place the tube over the end of your fly rod tip and use the fly rod to position the hook on a twig close to the entangled fly. Remove the fly rod to a safe place. Take hold of the cord attached to the tube and draw the branch together with the entangled fly to within reach.