Fishing
From the seasoned fishing expert to the absolute novice, fishing is considered to be an activity and sport of importance. It has been apart of our history as humankind as a source of food and entertainment. This article sits on the fence when it comes to these events.
This post is focused on rounding up some cool fishing gear, with updates each month.
Contents
Fishing Reels
The Best Fishing Reels. Our team continuously researches fishing reels before buying the best to test ourselves. This review features the top reels currently available, each rigorously tested to provide you the assessments you need to make the right purchase decision.
Best Fishing Rods
Fishing Reviews
The Basic Tools of Trade
The basic set of equipment needed by any fishing enthusiast includes a fly line, fishing rod and reel. You will also require either bait, lures or flies.
Fly-fishing
This form of fishing is considered to be one of the best ways to enjoy fishing as a fishing rookie. This type of fishing can also bring back the challenge associated with newcomer fishing to the expert bait or spin angler. It is considered to be an effective method when used for finding fish.
It can be described as being the most versatile fishing method. This is because it can be adapted to various environments. Be it a rocky river, remote stream or even a park pond, fly-fishing will be the method to employ. What will you need to embark on your journey to becoming a fly-fishing guru? What is the best telescopic fishing rod?
The Fly Line
This line is thicker and heavier than monofilament lines. It is covered using a uniform layer of plastic. This is tpo ensure that the line floats on the water rather than sink due to its weight. The weight of this line helps increase the distance traveled by the ‘Fly’ when casting it forward towards the water.
The Leader
Connecting the Fly line to the Fly is the leader. This is a piece of clear monofilament line. This line is less visible to the fish when compared the Fly Line. It is characteristically lighter. This helps to greatly reduce the splash caused when the line hits the water when casting.
This line is tapered – meaning that its thickness decreases from the Fly Line to the Fly. The thinner end of the Leader is called the tippet.
Fly Rod
This is the long pole used to mount the Fly Line and Fly Reel. Compared to other fishing rods, the Fly Rod is longer and more flexible. This is more evident when the Fly Rod is pitted against the Spinning Rod.
The Fly Rod has to bend enough to fling the heavy fly line forward when casting.
Fly Reel
The Fly Reel is special in the world of fishing. This is because it isn’t used for casting as is the function of an ordinary spinning reel. It has an important role of storing the extra line while fishing.
The Fly-fish
The key to Fly-fishing is to fool the fish into thinking that the fly is its actual natural prey. Flies are similar in terms of shape, size and colour when compared to normal, and natural, fish foods. These can be bought or made, if you have the time. Medium hook flies are recommended for anyone starting out on fly-fishing.
There are several types of flies to choose from.
Sinking Flies
These flies are made of absorbent and heavy materials. This is to ensure that they sink when cast. They include:
Nymphs
These flies imitate insects which live below the water’s surface. Known to be a big part of a fish’s diet, nymphs are used with a variety of fish. They are also the final fly to use when other flies fail to catch the fish. Fish associated with this fly includes bass, trout, and panfish.
Streamers
Want to catch large predator fish? This fly will help you do just that. They resemble baitfish.
Woolly buggers, muddler minnows, mickey finns, and clouser minnows are notable flies under this category. They will help you catch fish such as Large trout, Muskies, adult bass, and pike.
Wet Flies
This fly is made of materials that absorb water very quickly and sink. They resemble downed insects. They hold the title for being the first flies ever made. A widely used fly from this category is the Woolly worm.
The Specialty Fly
As with every other activity, there are specialty items. This fly is made for very specific and special scenarios. Crayfish flies are used in summer when Smallmouth (a type of fish) is busy feeding on crayfish. Flies resembing fish eggs are used during spawning season to fish rainbow trout.
Surface Flies
As the name describes, these fies float. They give you te pleasure of seeing an actual fish coming up to the surface and biting it. They include:
Terrestrials
These are basically artificial copies of land insects such as spiders, crickets, ants, caterpillars, beetles and other similar insects which tend to fall onto water surfaces. Make sure to survey the grass surrounding the water to discover the common insects before purchasing this type of fly.
Bugs
These flies imitate mice, large insects and frogs. They include sliders, poppers, and divers. Small rubber-legged poppers are used to catch panfish. Frog imitations are used for Bass while Dahlberg divers are used for Northern Pike.
Dry flies
They lok similar to adult water insects. They are usually in the form of mayflies, stoneflies, caddisflies and others. These are mainly used to catch trout. Other than trout, only a handful of fish will strike this fly. These include panfish and bass.
Where will you go to fish using this technique?
Being versatile, this technique can be used on a number of waterbodies. The top recommended fishing spots include:
Cold-water streams or Trout Lakes
Look for undercut banks, dead pools, boulders and when the water is cool. Natural foods for such habitats include scuds, caddisflies, stoneflies, mayflies and small fish. You can catch Brown, Brook and Rainbow trout.
Lakes
Watch out for vegetated areas, fallen trees and around docks near lakes. Natural foods include zooplankton, amphipods, insects, small fish and snails. Fish available in these spots include Black Crappie and Bluegill among others.
Fly-fishing is a technique with a very unique set of features, skills, and practices. It is a beginner-friendly technique that promises to make fishing as enjoyable as you could possibly imagine.
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