North American Outdoorsman
    What's Hot

    Sandhill Cranes: Today’s Pterodactyl of the Sky

    June 3, 2023

    Plan Some Summer Fun with Your Dog

    June 3, 2023

    Where Memories Are Made

    June 3, 2023
    Facebook Twitter Instagram
    North American OutdoorsmanNorth American Outdoorsman
    • Current Issue
    • Publications
      • North American Outdoorsman
      • North American Deer Hunter
      • North American Bowhunter
      • Crossbow Magazine
    • Authors
    • Partners
    • Newsletter
    Facebook Instagram YouTube
    SUBSCRIBE
    • Hunting
      1. Whitetail
      2. Bowhunting
      3. Big Game
      4. Stories
      5. How to Hunt
      6. View All

      15 Best Late-Season Deer Food Plots

      February 13, 2023

      Offseason Wintertime Whitetail Prep

      December 30, 2022

      Process your own deer

      October 21, 2022

      Spot-and-Stalk Whitetail Hunt with my Dad

      October 14, 2022

      2023 SHOT Show Hunting Gear

      January 17, 2023

      Process your own deer

      October 21, 2022

      Hunting Woodland Caribou: A Newfound Passion

      August 7, 2022

      Bow Birds

      April 1, 2022

      Fishing Hawaii

      December 7, 2022

      A Picture Perfect Hunt for Coulee Muley

      October 13, 2022

      Grizzly Hunt: Too Close for Comfort!

      October 4, 2022

      A Change of Heart — Let’s Hunt Elk

      October 3, 2022

      Where Memories Are Made

      June 3, 2023

      A Boy’s First Goose

      May 12, 2023

      A Bear Primer

      April 6, 2023

      For Goose Hunters, the Best Kind of Snowstorm

      February 19, 2023

      21 Rookie Coyote Hunting Mistakes to Avoid

      April 9, 2023

      Where to Shoot a Black Bear

      April 8, 2023

      Getting Back to the Basics of Turkey Calls

      February 17, 2023

      A Family Affair: Women and Family Range Days

      February 16, 2023

      Sandhill Cranes: Today’s Pterodactyl of the Sky

      June 3, 2023

      Where Memories Are Made

      June 3, 2023

      Sidearms for Hunters: What to Look For

      May 17, 2023

      Here’s Why You Should Become a Fishing or Hunting Mentor

      May 16, 2023
    • Fishing
      1. All Fishing
      2. Fly Fishing
      3. How to Fish
      4. View All

      Sisterhood on the Ice – Annual Ladies’ Ice Fishing Event

      May 24, 2023

      Here’s Why You Should Become a Fishing or Hunting Mentor

      May 16, 2023

      5 Best Tactics for Spring Bass Fishing

      April 29, 2023

      The Cast That Changes Everything—The Double Haul

      April 27, 2023

      How to Pick a Fly Box

      March 3, 2023

      Essential Equipment for Fly Fisherman

      December 20, 2022

      Fly Fishing: Backing, Leaders And Tippets – All You Need to Know

      August 9, 2022

      Lake Texoma: Queen of Inland Striper Fisheries

      March 6, 2023

      How to Pick a Fly Box

      March 3, 2023

      How to Make Winter Walleye Bite

      February 15, 2023

      Hooked! My Love of Ice Fishing for Lake Trout

      February 2, 2023

      Sisterhood on the Ice – Annual Ladies’ Ice Fishing Event

      May 24, 2023

      Here’s Why You Should Become a Fishing or Hunting Mentor

      May 16, 2023

      5 Best Tactics for Spring Bass Fishing

      April 29, 2023

      The Cast That Changes Everything—The Double Haul

      April 27, 2023
    • Gear
      1. Gear Reviews
      2. New Outdoor Gear
      3. View All

      New Garmin Handheld Dog Tracking and Training System – Alpha 300 series with TT25 and T 20 Collars

      May 12, 2023

      Pros and Cons of Every Turkey Shotgun Gauge

      April 6, 2023

      2023 SHOT Show Hunting Gear

      January 17, 2023

      B105 Kydex Belly Band Review

      August 15, 2022

      Garmin’s New Lineup of Outdoor Navigation Devices

      March 15, 2023

      2023 SHOT Show Hunting Gear

      January 17, 2023

      TRUE KNIVES SWIFT EDGE HUNT PROCESSING KIT

      December 27, 2022

      THAW’S HEATED SEAT PAD

      December 26, 2022

      Armed and Responsible: Handguns for Beginners

      June 3, 2023

      Sidearms for Hunters: What to Look For

      May 17, 2023

      New Garmin Handheld Dog Tracking and Training System – Alpha 300 series with TT25 and T 20 Collars

      May 12, 2023

      Best Handguns for Beginners

      May 4, 2023
    • Field to Table
      1. #eatwhatyoukill
      2. Recipes
      3. View All

      Venison Tacos on a Pellet Grill

      February 21, 2023

      Goose Recipes: Bacon Benedict with Duck Fat Hollandaise

      February 3, 2023

      Fish Stock – Jeff Benda

      May 26, 2022

      Salisbury Steak – Ky Loop

      May 24, 2022

      Goose Recipe: Szechuan Style

      April 16, 2023

      Wild Game Jambalaya Recipe

      April 6, 2023

      Venison Tacos on a Pellet Grill

      February 21, 2023

      Goose Recipes: Bacon Benedict with Duck Fat Hollandaise

      February 3, 2023

      Sandhill Cranes: Today’s Pterodactyl of the Sky

      June 3, 2023

      Plan Some Summer Fun with Your Dog

      June 3, 2023

      Where Memories Are Made

      June 3, 2023

      Armed and Responsible: Handguns for Beginners

      June 3, 2023
    • News
      1. Conservation
      2. Editorial
      3. Press Releases
      4. View All

      The NWTF & USDA Sign $50M Agreement to Fight Wildfire Crisis

      October 28, 2022

      Help the Yelp

      March 25, 2022

      Conservation Hunts For Spring Snow Geese

      February 6, 2022

      Tools and Equipment For Whitetail Habitat Management

      February 3, 2022

      Hooyman Joins Best Outdoor Discounts

      December 6, 2022

      Newly Approved IGFA World Records

      April 19, 2022

      USCCA Congratulates Georgia Governor for Signing Constitutional Carry Bill

      April 15, 2022

      The RCMP’s Secret Long-Gun Registry

      January 31, 2022

      2023 SHOT Show Hunting Gear

      January 17, 2023

      Hooyman Joins Best Outdoor Discounts

      December 6, 2022

      Exclusive Women’s Issue

      October 4, 2022

      Kimber Releases New 1911 RAPIDE, R7 Mako, and Limited-Edition Micro 9

      August 19, 2022

      Armed and Responsible: Sweetheart Grips, Significant Others and Self-Defense

      February 19, 2023

      2023 SHOT Show Hunting Gear

      January 17, 2023

      Hooyman Joins Best Outdoor Discounts

      December 6, 2022

      The NWTF & USDA Sign $50M Agreement to Fight Wildfire Crisis

      October 28, 2022
    • Book a Trip
      • Hunting Trips
      • Fishing Trips
    • Login
    North American Outdoorsman
    Home » All Articles » Fly-Fishing for Beginners – Your Guide to Getting Started
    Fishing

    Fly-Fishing for Beginners – Your Guide to Getting Started

    Gord NuttallBy Gord NuttallFebruary 15, 2022Updated:August 10, 202211 Mins Read
    Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Telegram Tumblr Email
    fishing
    Share
    Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email

    When most people think of fly-fishing, they picture a lone angler flinging his arm back and forth in a perfectly synced rhythmic motion, working the candy-cane-shaped line above the water until it reaches the perfect distance to drop and float the fly downstream towards a feeding fish. The visual aspect of watching and waiting for a fish to strike your fly is what makes fly-fishing so appealing and exciting.

    Fly-fishing in a canoe
    Trolling wet flies (streamers, nymphs, or leech patterns) from a canoe is an excellent method to familiarize yourself with fly-fishing gear.

    Fly-Fishing Gear for Beginners

    The gear required to begin fly-fishing is: rod, reel, fly line, leader and a half-dozen flies. Fishing from shore is tough on many lakes because of the lack of back casting room. Having a boat to get yourself into some deeper water containing structure and for trolling your fly is ideal when starting out on lakes.

    Choosing the Right Rod

    The rod, although not difficult to find or select, has three properties that will help you narrow down the choice: length, weight and action. Most entry levels rods are made from graphite which is very lightweight and strong and consistently casts your fly with ease. In addition, many manufacturers offer lifetime warranties on ‘beginner’ rods.

    Weight

    Rod weight refers to the numbering system used with fly line and fly rods and is printed on the butt section just above the handle. One being the lightest and thinnest and twelve being the heaviest and thickest line – you must match the rob number to the line number for optimal performance. Generally speaking, a five to seven weight rod will allow you to fish anywhere in Alberta for all species of fish.

    Length

    Lengths of fly rods vary from 7 to 10 feet. A general-purpose beginner rod should be around nine feet, which will still seem long for those switching from spinning rods. Fly rods break down into either two to four pieces for easier storage and packing. If you plan to travel into remote backcountry lakes, get a four-piece rod.

    Action

    Rod action essentially refers to where the rod flexes and is available in slow, medium, or fast. Slow actions feel “whippy”. Fast actions are the stiffest and bend only in the top third of the rod. A beginner should purchase either a medium or fast action rod, as they’ll be more accurate for casting, but if you truly enjoy the feeling of your rod bending in half while fighting a fish of any size, consider a slow action, but be prepared for tougher inaccurate casting, especially on windy days.

    fly-fishing reel and fly line
    The fly-fishing reels purpose is to store line in a convenient manner. Notice the size of the fly compare to the thickness of the line – it’s the line that casts the fly, not vice-versa.

    The Reel

    Like spin fishing, the reel’s main purpose is to store the line in an organized fashion and force the fish to work harder when trying to escape. Reels are made from many different materials; therefore have a wide variety of costs ranging from $15 – $1000. The other function the reel does is balance the rod, so it’s important to size the reel to match your line/rod weight. Unlike spin fishing, the angler uses their hands to retrieve and shoot line rather than mechanical components and gears found on spinning reels.

    Fly Line and Leaders

    The line is very important; perhaps the most important part of your gear because it’s responsible for casting your weightless fly out. Fly line can float, sink or just have a sinking tip. As mentioned earlier, fly line is designated by weight and designed to work with the corresponding weight rod and reel. Furthermore, the weight of the line can be stored in a variety of ways: weight forward, tapered or straight. For beginners, purchase a weight forward line as it’ll be the easiest to learn the casting.

    trout
    Fishing for cutthroat trout on freestone rivers like the North Ram is an ideal choice for beginners

    Fly-fishing leaders are made of either near transparent nylon monofilament or fluorocarbon material making your fly appear to be attached to nothing at all in the water. Leader length should equal at least the rod length and be tapered at the end. They are attached to the end of the fly line in one of several different ways but a simple, effective and flexible method is to use a loop-to-loop connection – which allows anglers to change leaders quickly and easily.

    Beginner Fly-Fishing Combos

    Thankfully, most manufacturers and retail stores sell quality general-purpose combo packages for beginners that include a five or six-weight rod, reel, and floating line (backing included) with leader for approximately $150 which will suffice for a few weekends of fly-fishing a year for any freshwater Alberta lake.

    Flies

    After that, you just need a few flies to get started. Like lures, flies imitate food that fish eat, such as bugs, insect larvae, minnows, leeches, ants, and grasshoppers. They are categorized into four categories: dries, nymphs, streamers, and terrestrials.

    Wet vs Dry

    It’s been frequently stated that 10% of the fisherman catch 90% of the fish, and I’d be willing to bet that 100% of the 10% know that 90% of a trout’s diet is found below the surface, which might make you wonder why anyone would invest all that time and energy into learning how to fly cast when trout only feed at surface levels 10% of the time. But, “flies” can be both dry and wet, meaning some flies are fished on the surface (dry) and others are worked beneath the surface (wet).

    Fishing wet flies in small lakes requires very little casting (the toughest part of fly-fishing) and some basic knowledge of where to find fish that are feeding. Trolling a wet fly with a fly rod/reel setup is a great technique to start fly-fishing and familiarize yourself with the equipment.

    Stonefly Nymph
    Stonefly Nymph
    MuddlerMinnow
    MuddlerMinnow

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Although not essential, waders or a boat will provide more casting room, better access to the trout, and allow you to fish in deeper water.

    Casting: The Tough Part

    Although it may seem mystical to an observer, fly casting is an efficient way to get a weightless fly closer to fish. The motion of casting and a few hours spent fly-fishing really appeals to most newcomers who show an interest in the sport. Many find it relaxing and a really great way to connect with nature – which is no different than any other type of fishing.

    Long-time fly fisherman, guide, and casting instructor Bruce Tilbrook told me the number one reason why people quit fly-fishing is intimidation. Years ago, it was snobby fly anglers not wanting to spend the time teaching newcomers the basic techniques to help them succeed, making it an overwhelming task to learn and master. These days, the magnitude of gadgets seen dangling from a geared-up fly anglers vest can seem daunting. Bruce also mentioned that casting can be tough to learn for some people, but it’s a simple “ten” and “two” o’clock timing, and this concept is taught year around throughout several fishing clubs, schools, and outfitter retail stores like Cabela’s – it should no longer be a barrier to getting into fly-fishing.

    greens
    Pick a place that’ll ensure success when beginning to fly-fish, not a place like this where precise error-free casting is a must to hook and land fish.

    Keep it Simple

    Start simple when learning to fly-fish in an environment that will ensure a positive experience. Casting long distances isn’t even necessary to begin fly-fishing, in fact casting any distance isn’t required at all. There’s an old famous saying in the flyfishing world, “learn how to fly cast well over a short distance, rather than poorly over a long distance.

    daughter
    The author introduced his daughter to fly-fishing by having her simply hold a fly rod out the side of a canoe – no casting necessary.

    Try Trolling

    Trolling removes casting altogether for beginners. Trolling a wet fly (nymphs, streamers, and leeches) around any of Alberta’s 250 stocked trout lakes is a great technique to familiarize yourself with the gear mentioned above. Wet flies are tied with weighted material making them sink and are therefore fished underneath the water’s surface targeting large fish lurking for a meal. Simply drop the fly into the water, allow it to start sinking, strip some line off the reel and move away from the fly.

    Egg-sucking Leech
    Egg-sucking Leech
    Doc Spratley
    Doc Spratley

    By floating on the water, if you see structures like debris or natural vegetation providing cover (above or below the water surface) and drop-offs along the shorelines or pinch points between bays, you’ll have plenty of room to practice casting in and around the structure. If you get frustrated or tired, simply troll in and out of the structure by doing ’S’ pattern turns. Bruce’s favorite flies to use in Alberta’s stocked trout lakes are: egg-sucking leeches, wooly-buggers, bead-headed pheasant tail nymphs, back-swimmers, doc spratleys, and adams (in case the trout are rising).

    Fly-Fishing For All Ages

    Anyone can start fly-fishing, young or old, fishermen or not, experienced or not. Even small children aged four or five can handle a fly rod and reel. This past summer I introduced my daughter to fly-fishing by rigging up a seven-foot, four-weight rod with matching floating line and a nine-foot leader with an egg-sucking leech tied on the end. She didn’t have to cast at all – I simply placed her in the canoe near the back with her seat turned ninety degrees. She sat holding the rod straight in front of her and I taught her how to strip line and hold the rod out to the side a foot off the water.

    Rookie Success

    The motion of the canoe forced the weighted line out behind us. She didn’t have to work the rod or line at all – she simply held the fly rod trolling. Each paddle stroke created enough momentum to realistically mimic a leech swimming at the other end of the line. Within no time, she had several hits and she held the line against the rod as she set the hook. Once she hooked a fish, she tried to crank the reel, but most fly reels have no gears whatsoever, meaning the line retrieved is a one-to-one ratio with the amount of cranking you have to do.

    fish

    By the time she reeled the rainbow trout in, her little fingers and hand were tired. Because I was seated near her, I helped hold the rod as the fish pumped, turned, and fought for its life. In the end, it wasn’t all that different from trolling a Rapala, but she had more hits than her brother, who was trolling just that. Truthfully, you could troll a streamer pattern off monofilament line from a spinning rod with some split shot clamped on the leader. But having rookies use fly-fishing equipment in a simple setting is a good way to introduce them to this style of fishing. Making short casts near structures and around drop-offs are ideal places to start fly casting, as opposed to streams lined with steep banks and dead-fall. Quite often, cutthroat trout are easy to fool – a great fish for beginners.

    Dry Fly-Fishing

    For those who want to try their hand at dry fly-fishing on streams, pick a freestone river like the North Ram when conditions are good. The small holding pools will provide ample casting room without interference and a chance to hook several cutthroat trout. Conditions are ideal when water levels are low and have clear visibility. Small stocked trout ponds, like the Lions campgrounds and municipal park grounds, usually have plenty of back casting room for beginners and fish can be found cruising the edges of the ponds at dusk. Ponds that have aerators are best and will often ensure good fishing come spring, so seek those out.

    In the end, fishing is fishing – a way to connect with nature away from our busy lives. Fishing offers the opportunity to enjoy and learn about nature, relax, spend time with friends and family and solve problems, even if only for a few hours, with nothing but the splashing of trout to disturb your thoughts. However, if you do get hooked specifically on fly-fishing it won’t be because of the primitive, exhilarating battle between human and fish. It won’t be the great outdoors and the chance to get back to nature. It’ll be the bugs and a deeper understanding of fish and their behavior – but that is for another time. 

    _____

    Ready to learn more? Check out 8 Essential Fly-FIshing Knots (And How To Tie Them)

    fly-fishing Spring 2021
    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
    Previous ArticleGun Cleaning 101
    Next Article Early Ice Off Opportunities
    Avatar photo
    Gord Nuttall

    Gord Nuttall is an enthusiastic outdoorsmen and award-winning freelance writer that spends countless hours enjoying and promoting recreational activities outdoors. Led by his father, he wet many lines trolling for lake trout along the rugged shorelines of Lake Superior and developed a passion and love for the rugged outdoors early in his life. During the spring and summer months, he explores the diverse Alberta landscape with his wife, Heather and their two children, Noah and Makynna. As a family, they enjoy camping, SUPing, kayaking, fishing and lake life every summer. Spending nights sleeping under the stars in the backcountry fishing remote lakes or unpressured streams are his favorite getaways. Gord loves to bowhunt and has committed himself to harvesting multiple species in North America and documenting the adventures of my quest in a book.

    Related Posts

    Sisterhood on the Ice – Annual Ladies’ Ice Fishing Event

    May 24, 2023

    Here’s Why You Should Become a Fishing or Hunting Mentor

    May 16, 2023

    5 Best Tactics for Spring Bass Fishing

    April 29, 2023

    The Cast That Changes Everything—The Double Haul

    April 27, 2023

    Wollaston Lake’s Mysteries—And a Magnificent Fishing Trip

    April 20, 2023

    Tips for Taking Early-Season, Shallow-Water Walleye

    April 14, 2023
    Don't Miss
    Featured

    Sandhill Cranes: Today’s Pterodactyl of the Sky

    June 3, 2023By Brad Fenson11 Mins Read

    It was warm for mid-October, and the still morning air was perfect for our sandhill…

    Plan Some Summer Fun with Your Dog

    June 3, 2023

    Where Memories Are Made

    June 3, 2023

    Armed and Responsible: Handguns for Beginners

    June 3, 2023

    Subscribe to Updates

    Be the first to know about new issues, premium industry gear discounts, access to exclusive content, & more!

    Stay In Touch
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
    • Instagram
    about
    NAO is the window into the outside environment for readers pursuing their passions in hunting, fishing, camping, canoeing/kayaking, rock climbing, and all pursuits in the outdoors on the North American continent. We will present stories, tips and techniques to be a better outdoorsman, and be completely at home in the outdoor environment for a day, week, or a lifetime.
    Recent Articles
    • Sandhill Cranes: Today’s Pterodactyl of the Sky
    • Plan Some Summer Fun with Your Dog
    • Where Memories Are Made
    • Armed and Responsible: Handguns for Beginners
    • Sisterhood on the Ice – Annual Ladies’ Ice Fishing Event
    Quick Links
    • Current Issue
    • Authors
    • Partners
    • Advertise With Us
    • About Us
    • Contact Us
    Useful Tools
    • Join Our Newsletter
    • Save On Gear
    • Hunting Resources
    • Where to Hunt
    • Where to Shoot
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms of Use
    © 2023 Outdoor Specialty Media. Designed by Crossroads Marketing.
    • North American Outdoorsman
    • North American Deer Hunter
    • North American Bowhunter
    • Crossbow Magazine

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.