How did you learn to fly fish?

[LadyValea1]

When I went to the Florida Keys, they offered fly fishing in the back country on skiff boats? with platforms where the guide would push off using a pole and call out the locations of the fish "Permits" ...but it was mostly fly fishing!:embarassed:

It look so fun! but where did you learn to fly fish, and is it a hard thing to do?
I'm really interested in this. "is this something that I can learn on my own"?
thanks

[adam1886]

i taught myself a couple years ago.it definantly takes alot of practice.just a warning when casting with wieghted flies....watch out,they can come back and hit you in the process of casting:smile2:.your best bet would probably be to take a class or get with someone who has some experience.hope this helps a little,good luck!

[DANZIG]

Years back, I was maybe 10, one of my Sister's BFs gave me a cheap fly combo.
I don't remember where I read how but it was probably from Field & Stream or some such mag.
I was not real good but good enough for Bluegills and such. left the pole at a buddy's house bout the time his family pulled one of those "midnight moves" never saw it, or him, again.

Flash forward many decades and year before last a long time fishing buddy has gotten into it and stopped by with a pole to see if he could get me into it. Just like riding a bicycle, I picked it right back up.

I would never win a contest but do well enough to pick up the dumb Trout.

My pride has me stuck now but if I were to do it over again I would take a class.

[slabmaster]

i learned when i was a kid with an old fiberglass shakespear. i fished poppers for bream . now it's 40 years later and i still fly fish , as a matter of fact i do some guideing and alot of teaching along the white river in arkansas. i have graduated from 16 dollar fiberglass to 600 dollar graphites and there's one thing i can tell you for sure. flyfishing is a progressive sport. my cast is pretty decent and i can always find someone who is a lot better. i know 2 women who fish the beaver tail water that have the prettiest cast's you will ever see. my advice is find a good instructor and get some lessons.you can learn to cast on your own but in the long run you will have a much better cast ,much faster with proper instruction and practice.

REMOVE THESE ADS
BECOME A LEVEL 2

[catfishtonyd]

I taught myself. I read what I could and went at it. Back when I started fly fishing I hadn't even heard of anyone else that did it down here in Georgia.

[blindfly69]

cast between 10 and 2 o'clock (like your standing in front of a clock) and on your back cast wait until the line uncurls completely behind you, thats the BASICS but i still recommend asking in a local fly shop

[waynesburgjay]

I learned when I was about 8 years old. Tied my first fly about then with some mallard feathers I found lying around and even caught a fish with it before it fell apart. Been hooked ever since.
Try some practice in a grassy area with a small piece of yarn at the end of your line. Start with a little line out until you get better.
Always remember this: When you come back on your cast and right before you start to go forward whatever your line looks like there is what it will be when you go forward and finish your cast. When first starting to cast, watch your line when it goes back and you will see what I mean.
Also , most beginner combos will have a slower action so make sure your line is almost straight on the backcast before your come forward with it.
Don't just whip it.
I hope this helped. Good luck and good fishing.

[River Hobo]

Fly Fishing for Dummies and practice in the back yard with a piece of yarn tied to the end of the line.

Warning though, it can become highly addictive. :tounge_out:

[Kutter]

Like mentioned above, I learned 45 years ago, probably from reading Field & Stream or Outdoor Life. I still have a couple of those old fiberglass Shakespears & those Martin automatic reels. I never did get good enough to brag, but have caught many bluegill with flyrods. I got back interested year before last and bought a new outfit from Cabela's. My goodness how the equipment has changed. One of those few times where new is so much better than what we had in those "olden days". I won't mention the name here, but there is a website that can teach you far more than you will need to know, about flyfishing. Hmmm, kinda like this place does concerning catfishing.

I take a flyrod with me when I fish the Mississippi River alone. Pretty cool catching extra bait while waiting for a cat to bite. One of these days, I'm going to catch a catfish on my flyrod. I already have a great looking shad fly just waiting for me to try out.

[stoney53]

taught myself when i was in my teens what a mess the 1st few times out lol but i did fly fish for alot of years finally gave it up just bank fish now :big_smile: