I was wondering if any of you can help me. I was wondering if you all could tell me how long it took you to really start to know the sport; like memorizing different knots, recognizing fly patterns, identifying flies on the water, etc. I am fourteen and have only been flyfishing since July, but I feel like I should mostly know all of this. I can't always remember the knots because you really only use one in baitcasting or spinning, and I haven't started flytying yet so I can't recognize flies or fly patterns when I see them. Should I know this stuff off the top of my head yet?

No. But then if you could learn it all in six months, what fun would that be?

Yeah, I guess your'e right. Thanks!

I have been fly fishing for 25 years and still forget the knots from time to time. That is the great thing about about fly fishing, like golf, these sports can never be mastered.

Lanny

First of all flyfishpj, welcome to the wonderful world of flyfishing and this site! It's always good to see a youngster excited about getting into this sport. I've been flyfishing for over 16 years and I still learn something new each time. As for knots, you only need to know a couple. You can review the different knots at
Fly Anglers On Line (FAOL). Just click on the Flyfishing Basics link. If you need anymore help please don't hesitate to ask. Good-luck!

flyfishpj, welcome to the sport and you are certainly welcomed here.
If you can, find a mentor near you. You might look into joining any fly fishing clubs in your area. A web search for FFF affiliated clubs or T.U. chapters near you might go a long way to learning more and gaining friendships with like-minded souls.
It's a great hobby, one reason being there is always more to learn!

Enjoy!

Hobby!? For the price, I would say it is more a way of life. And you can teach an ol' dog new tricks

To find the closest Fly Fishing Club in your area click on the following links:
Federation of Fly Fishers (FFF)
Trout Unlimited

Thank you so much! I really appreciate people helping me out. It's good to know there are people in teh world who care about making a difference, not only about themselces. Thanks Again!

Pj

I hope flyfishing is as fun for you as it is for me. Luckily I had an older brother to teach me knots, fly selection etc...
Maybe you have a local club you can go too, the best experience is on the river.
Teaching yourself may make you a better angler by not having limitations set on you from someone else.

Concentrate on those knots you'll be using all of the time...
fly to tippet [you are bound to re-tie that one over & over]
tippet to leader [same thing]
leader to fly line [not so often but enough, this one you can use a cheat sheet]
the other knots, you will be able to do looking at the pictures in a book.
As for flies, there are quite a few books that match insect pics to flies that imitate...
So...
start slow, don't rush, enjoy each step.
Later,
Peter

Right on Peter. Baby steps. I use three knots total. Nail Knot (backing to fly line, Butt section to fly line) Surgeons knot for tippet to leader and surgeon loop for fly (I like the loop cause I can use heavier tippet on smaller flies but still get fly movement) I do tie my own leaders though using a blood knot, but I don't recommend you get into this yet. I also use a needle knot to connect leader to fly line if the line has a hollow core- can't do it on sylk) So basically 3 knots.
Flies, there is so many different patterns of one fly. Start with the basics:
Griffith Gnats
Adams
Blue Winged Olive (BWO)
Pale Morning Dunn (PMD)
Ants
Hoppers
Prince Nymphs (Standard and Bead Head)
Haresears (Standard, beadhead and olive, black and natural)
Pheasant tails (bead head, flashback, standard)
Copper Johns ( all colors)
Zebras (different colors)
Get these in different sizes and it is a good start
Don't forget wooly buggers too.
If you can hook up with TU it will do a world of good.
Check out "The Orvis Streamside Guide to Leaders, Knots and Tippet" by Tom Rosenbauer. Small hand book around $16. There is others in this series that are real good also (streamfishing, stillwater, matching the hatch) Also there is a DVD out called "Trout Guys Naked Truth About Nymphs" - Mike Pawlawski that is very educational.

HI,
Welcome to the board and the sport we all have yet to master.
been FF for about 27yrs. My favorite fly is ya know the sparkle body thing with the fuzzy tail......oh now I remember wooly bugger. Anyway you see well all have trouble with the stuff.
If you have questions let em fly...hehe we will do our best.
But most of all lets have some fun at it too!
Nothing like ducking trying to get away from a weighted bugger zooming at you on the forward cast at lightspeed ya know, what know one else has had this happen....right.
REMEMBER have fun at the sport.
Bob

Welcome to the wonderful world of fly fishing.
i started fly fishing at about 8 or 10 i'll be 50 next month,
and i still don't know all the knots. so don't worry, you'll get it.
as for the patterns of flys i would go to your local fly shop and they will tell you
what patterns work and when.
and don't for get to have fun, it's not all about getting fish it's being out side and seeing all that is out there.
hope this helps hiram

You are getting some great advice to your query and the flies that are recommended are ones that are extremely useful. Read, read any and all boks related to fly fishing. Some admittedly are way off, but will have to be the judge. Don't look to catching fish on every outing, it just doesn't happen. Just being out on the stream is the greatest experience you'll have. I consider it a mystical experience. Practice casting at every opportunity. I've been at it about 50+ years and still there are times when I wind up with the line around my neck or other than where I want it. that's fishing. There are several books by Harry Middleton that you should read, you won't be sorry. This forum is one of the nicest sites and even I garner tips and information that make fishing even better. don't be afraid to ask. Enjoy! Silver Doc

Hello,

You are fortunate to have an interest that will give you a lifetime of enjoyment.

I started at elementry school age and still have much to learn and I am now in my 40's. I didn't have much in sources to help me along so my learning curve has been real slow... then I had to drop fishing altogether while in collage... and for the last decade I have become more and more consumed by it.

If I don't do something on a regular basis I seem to forget. So I have to learn things over and over again.

I would get yourself set up with learning some basics and concepts: understanding the behavior of the fish you fish for, aquatic food sources (and not scientifically), and learning to cast and present a fly. Then take this with you when you go out to your local waters and start to build upon it. You won't have it all learned in a hundred years but I bet you can get pretty good at it. Always remain curious and interested and it will come with some effort.

The local library is a great source of reading material. If you are into trout fishing moving water a few books I would suggest are Dave Whitlock's Aquatic Trout Foods and Dave Hughes Reading The Water (? i think it is called this).

Good luck and enjoy,

CG

Practise too. Practise in the yard, park or use the bottom section and practise while watching TV. I was taught to treat it like you are painting a ceiling. Keep a straight line not a windshield wiper. And as far as the 10 o'clock 2 o'clock, for the most part, but as I was also taught, think of throwing a ball. To throw it 25' that works, to throw it 100' you have to put a little more into it, but try not to drop on the back cast, if you have to slightly turn side ways and watch you hand.

Im 54 and have been fishing since forever. Personal observation has shown me that there a zillion little subtilties, nuances and a few dictums in the sport that only come with doing, reading and listening-observing over time.

Ultimately it is a sport (that can become a profession) and one should enjoy what they do. Begin with the recognition that it is supposed to be fun and learn over time, dont overload by cramming on the details as it can take the enjoyment out of it ...


D.