Modern fly fishing is about more species than simply trout and salmon. Many people have seen how bass, pike, carp, in fact, most species of fish can be successfully caught fly fishing. I started to seriously target other species on fly during 1993. Since then I’ve caught many fish species in freshwater and saltwater.
However, I understand it must be daunting if you only fish a few days each year, to spend precious fishing time doing something completely different. The good news is, the majority of the time, it’s not that different, fish are fish!
To be clear here, I’m not saying all species behave the same, that would be ridiculous. What I have found in my experience however, is that a few key points are common across most fish species, most of the time. These can be used like a comfort blanket, providing confidence to try and hence achieve some success, enjoyment and learning that you might otherwise never experience.
What are these magical “key points”?
- Study your quarry, learn its habits, likes and dislikes. Like this for example.
- Fish waters and times that maximise your chance of success.
- Setup your equipment so you present a fly in a way it makes easy to eat.
- Fly selection comes from point 1. Plus, if conditions for a fish species are good, larger flies are often fine. If conditions are tough, reduce fly size.
- Using all the above, put your fly where the fish wants it, when it wants it, how it wants it. If you achieve this without a fish knowing you put it there, even better!
This checklist makes targeting most fish on fly very achievable even for the occasional angler. Especially if you do a little preparation off water. Yes you can shortcut the learning curve and hugely enhance your success by using fishing guides. However the above skills remain invaluable, making your water time more productive. Your guide will thank you for it too. It’s always good when clients are prepared!
Do you have any points to add to my list? Add to comments if so.
Enjoy and thanks for reading!
SJY