Bass Fishing Information

Bob Bastian asked:


In the world of fly fishing there are many words that are important to know. Many of these words are unusual or have a different meaning when used in reference to fly fishing. The following list includes some of the more unusual and double meaning words used by fly fishermen.

Action: a general term often used to try to describe the feel of the rod - such as soft, hard, slow, or fast.

Attractor: usually a bright colored fly that is not usually tied so that it imitates a particular type of food.

Belly: the sagging portion of a fly fishing line.

Blank: a rod without a handle, reel seat, or guides.

Blood Knot: the common name for a barrel knot.

Chalk Stream: a stream, usually found in valleys, that is spring fed and slow moving with a lot of vegetation.

Complex Hatch: the simultaneous hatching of several types of species of insects.

Compound Hatch: the masking, or hiding, of a hatch of smaller insects by a hatch of larger insects that occurs on the same day.

Cutthroat Trout: a true trout that is found mostly in the western part of the United States.

Dapping: a fly fishing technique in which the fly is repeatedly bounced on and off of the surface of the water.

Down Eye Hook: a hook that has the eye bent below the shaft.

Dropper: the secondary fly that is attached to the leader in a cast of flies.

Emerger: a term that is used to describe any insect that moves up towards the water’s surface preparing to hatch into the adult stage.

Feeding Lie: where a trout goes in order to actively feed.

Flat-butt Leader: a fly used in fly fishing where the butt section is formed into a ribbon shape.

Freestone Streams: fast moving, tumbling streams with rock covered bottoms.

French Snap: a small clamp, often used by a fly fisherman to attach his net to his vest.

Holding Lie: where a trout generally remains when not actively feeding.

Leisenring Lift: a technique used in nymph fly fishing where the line is lifted, causing the imitation fly to move upwards, right in front of the trout’s suspected lie.

Midge Rod: a short, light weight rod.

Natural - a living insect, as opposed to an artificial, or man-made, insect or fly.

Nymphing: any oaf the various fishing techniques in which the fly fisherman presents an imitation of the underwater stage of an insect.

Presentation: the method of placing a fly where the fish is most likely to see it; includes the manner in which the cast in completed and the method in which the fly is fished.

Rise: the act of the fish taking an insect from the water’s surface.

Run: a term used to describe a particular stretch of moving water.

Shooting: a casting technique.

Spate: high water.

Stripping: quickly retrieving line or pulling line from the reel.

Terrestrial: of or relating to an insect whose life cycle is completely spent on land or in plants.

Waders staff: a sturdy rod about as high as the armpit of the person fly fishing used for support in heavy water.

There are many words and terms that are unfamiliar to most people but not to those who enjoy fly fishing.

jeff ryall asked:


When fly fishing you need a calm temperament, be able to switch off and keep repeating the same technique without getting frustrated. This is half the battle, the other half is the right equipment. Of coarse you need sun glasses so you do not have to squint from the sun and maybe a hat but most importantly the tackle makes all the difference.

When choosing a rod, should you go for a modern composite graphite rod or an old fashioned bamboo rod? Should you choose a rod for one particular water or setting or go with a multi purpose rod. All these factors will come into the equation when choosing a rod to cast your flies. Talking of flies, this is another area where choice is important. Do you go for a dry fly or go for an insect replica. The colour of the fly could also be important, is there a colour for morning and a different one for night.

Another thing to think about is weather you want to learn how to tie your own flies or are you better off buying them already done.

The choice of rod and fly could also affect the decision as to what line you will use.

The type of line you use may be also be influenced by what fish you are fishing for, larger fish will need a heavier line as appose to smaller fish. You will have to decide on weather you want your line to float or sink, weather your fish feed on the surface or on the bottom.

Some anglers are quite happy to use a bomber or swim feeder, just cast their line out and relax on the riverbank and wait. Fly fishing on the other hand is much more a hands on approach; you need to be fully concentrated on the task ahead of you. Tackle decisions can make the difference between having a fantastic day and having a ordinary day.

Most fly fishermen take it very seriously; it takes patience, dedication and practice to become a good fly fisherman. Choosing the right rod can be very tricky, with lots of different people having different ideas. Below are a few choices to help you.

Fibreglass- A large number of rods these days are made from fibreglass, whether they are for fly fishing or regular fishing. The main downside of fibreglass rods is that they are heavier than graphite or bamboo rods which in turn could make your arm tired at the end of the day. Despite this they are able to take a lot of punishment which makes them a popular choice.

Bamboo- Many of the older fishermen will not here a bad word said about these rods. Of coarse this is just someones opinion, but they were one of the first rods to be made and are still being made today. There is a lot that goes into making a bamboo rod and for this reason they can tend to be one of the most expensive.

Graphite- These tend to be quite stiff but that does not mean they are not effective.

These rods give good flexibility and are quite strong. they give good performance and they can vary in price difference and quality.

Reels are another important piece of equipment, the abel fly reel is considered one of the best around. A lot of parts are interchangeable from one reel to another making this a good choice. Also it does not matter if you are left or right handed as they can be converted easily from one to another.

Paul Winter asked:


Distinctly different from any other method of angling, fly-fishing is a style angling that has a history dating back to ancient times. While some fisherman may use a rod and reel to sit back, relax and perhaps catch a fish; the fly fisherman wades into the water and uses his honed skills to lure the fish to bite. Fly fishing has several distinct characteristics that make it different from any other style of angling, the main being the technique and bait used, and the special fly fishing equipment the angler uses.



Fly-fishing has developed, as a standard, a variant rod and reel that works a bit differently than the traditional closed or open spool reels. Fly rods are light and flexible, and usually made of fiberglass or other composite materials. Fly rods are made to different lengths, so when you choose your fly fishing equipment, it’s best to know what species of fish you’re after. Traditionally the fly angler seeks to catch trout or salmon, but other species of fish have been known to be responsive to the fly angling method.



The fly rod has another unique feature, that is, the type of fishing line a fly rod uses is usually thicker than any other type of angling line. It’s the weight and thickness of the line, combined with the weight of the fly, that gives fly-fishing it’s unique casting techniques.



Although the fly rod is an important piece of fly fishing equipment, it’s the type, weight, and color of the artificial fly that affects the art of angling for the fly fisherman. Flies fall into three different categories, surface floating flies, partially submerged flies, and below surface flies, each having it’s own specific style of casting.



Fly fishing equipment can be expensive, but don’t worry, the fly rod is usually the most expensive purchase, the flies and fishing line are relatively inexpensive. Often, experienced fly fishers will eventually learn how to create their own flies to use. This gives your fly fishing experience a custom feel to it, and can cut down costs dramatically. If you’re a beginner, finding a mentor can be the best way to learn about and get the feel of each article of fly fishing equipment.



So, if you’re an outdoor enthusiast, a seasoned angler or just interested in learning about fly-fishing, try it out! Fly-fishing is a sort of ‘antique technique’, passed down from generation to generation. With the right knowledge and correct equipment, fly-fishing is a hobby that can last a lifetime.

William Carter asked:


Have you ever been fishing? Many people would answer yes to this. In America alone, according to the American Sportfishing Association, there are nearly 40,000,000 anglers. But; have you ever tried Fly Fishing? Well, If you enjoy fishing of any kind I strongly suggest you try it. But, and this is very important. Learn How To Fly Fish Properly. If you go out with your new fly fishing gear, tie on your fly, cast, and hope, it’s likely that you’ll catch nothing, and then you’ll become disillusioned.

There are many things to learn first: Rod selection, line selection, leader and tippet selection, casting techniques. I could go on and on. But what I’m saying is, get the basics right first.

Fly Fishing is learning to imitate nature as you fool the fish into taking your carefully selected fly. Then feeling the exhilaration as you maybe hook a Smallmouth Bass and skilfully reel it in as it jumps and fights for all it’s worth on the surface, trying to throw the hook. Or perhaps a big trout that threatens to break your line.

O.k. so you can get the same thrill from bait fishing, and once you’ve hooked a fish, the way you reel it in is much the same. But it’s the skill of catching the fish which makes Fly Fishing so exhilarating.

So which is best, Bait Fishing or Fly Fishing? The answer is that neither one is better, or worse than the other. They’re just different. There is more to learn for successful Fly Fishing, it’s true, and some people just don’t want to learn about hatches, fly patterns etc. The skill of Fly Fishing is to make the fish see the fly and believe it’s a real insect and not a threat, or something to ignore. In my opinion, when you catch a fish this way, the feeling you get is 100 times that, of putting live bait in the water and waiting for the fish to bite.

Most novice anglers start with bait fishing. And it’s the best way to introduce children to fishing. But for me, and every Fly Fisherman I’ve ever talked to, bait fishing just doesn’t give the excitement of Fly Fishing.

Learn how to Fly Fish properly and it’s unlikely that you’ll ever want to go back to bait fishing.