Fly fishing can easily jump between an exercise in precision and an exercise in frustration. Trails.com is sympathetic to the plight of the fly fisherman, and we’re here to help. We offer free articles and videos with techniques on casting, tying flies, river etiquette, re-spooling reels and even finding the right waders. Our experts can tell you what flies to use for trout and how to clean a fly rod, and have advice for every skill level and anyone with a passion for fly fishing.
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Fly casting can either be a thing of beauty or an exercise in frustration. By using these tips, you will make fly casting a pleasurable experience.
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When attempting to narrow the literally hundreds of different dry fly patterns down to only ten, there are many things which must be considered. A fly must be a representation of an insect or insects which tend to inhabit a vast majority of fishi...
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Breathable waders make a day on the water more comfortable and dry while waiting for that big catch. But a build-up of dirt can not only cause a foul odor, but break down the DWR, or durable water repellency. It's easy to give your waders a thoro...
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Waders are an important tool when you are planning on doing some in stream fishing. Especially fly fishermen---and women---enjoy the feel of having a wide stream pass all around them while they maximize their position in the midst of the water to...
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Fishing waders are used to access areas of streams and rivers that are otherwise inaccessible to fishing. Various styles of waders are available but typically fall into a few basic categories including hip, waist and chest. The footwear associate...
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For fly-fishing novices, the verbiage so frequently used in fly-fishing terminology may be confusing and at times even somewhat forbidding. This is especially true when attempting to discern some fishing advice that is received at the local bait ...
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One of the worst things to realize when fly fishing is that a trout got away because of a poorly tied knot. In fly fishing there are specialized knots for attaching backing to the spool of the reel, fly line to backing and leader to the fly line....
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Cleaning a fly rod should be a routine part of every angler's life. Fly rods can cost 300 dollars or more and should be looked upon as an investment. During use, fly rods can become dirty from dust and pollen as well as accumulate debris deposits...
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Fly fishing is more than simply casting a fly to a waiting fish in the water. Fly fishing is as much about the why as it is the how. In other words, fly fishing is a state of mind. Sure, it is important and enjoyable to catch a trout on a summer ...
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Made famous by Ernest Hemingway, this trout recipe originated from Pamplona, Spain. Hemingway discovered the simple to make dish while fishing the Irati river located in the region of Spain known as the Basque. Requiring a few ingredients, this i...
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There are many kinds of flies available that will catch just about anything that swims. On some days fish are deep and a wet fly does the trick, other days especially in low light conditions, floating flies works better. In salt water you can c...
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Waders are used during fly fishing to enable the fisherman to enter a stream, creek or river and remain dry. Waders are typically constructed of a waterproof material and may either be hip or chest style. There are many different manufacturers of...
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Fly fishing is all about imitating the natural food on which trout feed. The food may be a beetle which falls from a limb into the water or a small insect larvae. Trout find food on the surface as well as under the water. The challenge for trout ...
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Small mountain streams offer a set of challenges and rewards that are not found on larger rivers. It is typical for a fisherman or fisherwoman to experience some frustrations when fishing small mountain streams for the first time. However, by bei...
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After you come home with a brand new fly rod and a whole bag of goodies that the sales man made sure you had before leaving the store, you are lost. Don't fret, with a little knowledge you will be on the river in no time. Here are some helpful gu...
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There are essentially two types of fishing flies: saltwater flies and freshwater flies. Within these two categories, there are a number of subtypes, depending largely on the kinds of fish they are supposed to attract. You will find that even amon...
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It is often said that "A fly isn't a fly unless it floats." This couldn't be further from the truth. A wet fly or streamer has its place in the fly fishing arsenal just as much as a Royal Coachman or Black Nat. On some days the fish are feeding d...
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At first, many people view fly fishing as a somewhat intimidating method of catching fish. The line, the casting and the associated leaders, flies and accessories can seem overwhelming. However, when stripped down to the basics, fly fishing is ac...
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Fly fishing is an enjoyable and fascinating method of fishing for many species of fish, qhether you are fishing for trout in a cold mountain stream or on the flats of the Florida Keys casting for bonefish. The ability to understand and use a fly ...
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Learning how to tie your own flies is one facet that the world of fly fishing presents to participants. Having the knowledge and ability to imitate the pattern or design of a particular insect in the form of an artificial fly is very rewarding. N...
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Making, or tying, fly fishing lures is a skill that is as much a hobby as fly fishing itself. Many people find the process of tying a fly to be relaxing. Learning to properly tie a fly presents the opportunity for creating imitations of insects f...
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Fly fishing equipment aims to help catch bass, trout, carp and salmon with the help of artificial flies as opposed to bait or lures. Fly fishing involves a unique casting technique that requires practice to mimic the erratic flight behavior of re...
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Casting fly line is poetry in motion, or so some would say. Whether or not this is a shared sentiment, it is a method of fishing that involves nuances that must be practiced in order to be performed under fishing conditions. Casting fly line at f...
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When properly performed, casting a fly rod is a rhythmic motion that seems to place the fisherman in synchronization with his surroundings. Rather than a haphazard back and forth motion, the fly cast is a precision motion that involves timing, d...
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Preparing to fly fish involves setting up or rigging the fly fishing line. Unlike spinning or casting set ups which typically only require a monofilament or similar line with which to fish, fly fishing has associated nuances which are somewhat un...
