| Fly fishing is a very popular activity that | | | | not find fly fishing enjoyable. Choose a fly |
| can be equally soothing and thrilling. This | | | | rod length that is easy for you to hold and |
| article will help you get started as a fly | | | | cast for a few hours at a time. |
| fisherman. When starting out, you'll want all | | | | |
| the help and advice that you can get from the | | | | Most of the rods on the market today are |
| experts. | | | | designed to allow you to feel the fish as it |
| | | | strikes your lure. The shaft of the rod is |
| Practice Your Casting | | | | called a "blank". Modern fishing rod blanks |
| | | | are usually constructed of either fibreglass |
| The experts say that you need to develop good | | | | or graphite, although other materials can be |
| casting technique. In order to develop good | | | | used. Each blank has an action that is |
| technique, you need to practice often. | | | | either: light, medium, medium/heavy, or |
| Practice will lead to proficiency in casting, | | | | heavy. The upper portion will also have an |
| which will be pivotal in determining whether | | | | action that is either: extra light, light, or |
| you are a successful fly fisherman or a | | | | regular. |
| frustrated one. | | | | |
| | | | Both ends of the blank are assembled into a |
| You don't need to be near water to practice | | | | fishing rod, complete with handle and guides. |
| casting. In fact it will be easier if you can | | | | The action of the rod will affect the way the |
| find a spot near a wall outside your house. | | | | rod casts, as well as the type of fishing |
| Just imagine that there is a clock hanging on | | | | that you can do with the rod. |
| the wall that is at the same level as your | | | | |
| shoulder. Place markers with black electrical | | | | Holding your Rod |
| tape, at the 11:00 and 1:00 clock positions. | | | | |
| Practice casting using these markers as a | | | | It's important that you learn to hold your |
| guide to improve your accuracy and style. | | | | rod comfortably under any fishing conditions. |
| | | | You want to make sure to maintain good |
| Selection of a Fly Fishing Rod | | | | control without squeezing too hard. If your |
| | | | grip is too tight you will probably tire out. |
| There are several important considerations | | | | With practice it is possible to adjust the |
| when choosing the right fly rod. Obviously | | | | strength of your grip in the middle of your |
| price matters. As is true with most things | | | | cast. With just a bit of practice you'll be |
| you get what you pay for. It's difficult when | | | | able to increase the tightness at the same |
| starting out to know what you are paying for. | | | | time as you learn to relax your grip. |
| It's also difficult to know what you really | | | | |
| need. I will discuss rods in great detail in | | | | Conclusion |
| a subsequent article. In this introduction, | | | | |
| however, I want you to think about comfort. | | | | In this article I have provided some general |
| For example, will you be comfortable holding | | | | information to help those curious about fly |
| the fly rod for an extended period of time. | | | | fishing get started. Fly fishing is a |
| If you aren't comfortable, you probably will | | | | wonderful activity. What are you waiting for? |