Fly Fishing Techniques
There are four basic fly fishing techniques. And each of these techniques is associated with the different class of fly rods, tradition rods, switch rods, Spey rods, and Tankara rods. Furthermore learning about the different types of fly rods will aid anglers in choosing the appropriate rods for the waters. Resulting in a more enjoyable day on the water. FishingWa is knowledgeable in all forms of fly fishing techniques and can offer professional advice and training lessons to all curious anglers.
Traditional Fly fishing techniques
Traditional Fly Rods
The most popular type of fly fishing is the traditional one hand fly fishing technique. It is the technique that people have seen in fly fishing movies, publications, and advertisement. In addition to its popularity, it is also the most versatile technique allow anglers to fish many different species, weather conditions and waters. The traditional rod weights range from 0wt-15wt rods. Making it suitable for small panfish or huge fighting tarpons. The lengths of tradition rod range from 5ft to 11ft and are suited for small rivers to medium size river.
The material used to craft traditional fly rods also varies greatly from traditional bamboo to fiberglass and advancer carbon fiber mix. Each material has a different feel and action. Bamboo and fiberglass fly rods have a slower action. While the carbon mixed fly rods tend to have a quick action. For most people, the traditional fly fishing technique is their main type of fishing.
Traditional Fly Reel
The reel
Fly rods length: 5ft – 10ft
Average range: 20-70 ft
Switch Fly fly fishing techniques
Switch Fly Rod
A switch rod is longer than a single-handed 11-footer and no longer than 12.5 feet. The most popular length is 11ft which can still be comfortably cast either two-handed or single-handed. But with new rod technology switch rods have increased in length to 12.5ft. But the longer length makes it difficult to cast single-handed comfortably, limiting most anglers to two-handed casting.
Switch rod originated in Great Lakes region on the St. Croix Rivers to cast big flies long. It soon spread to the Northwest Regions Oregon Washington State and Alaska for salmons and steelhead fishing on big rivers. Now it has spread around the world from Europe to Japan to Russia.
Reel: switch reel or traditional fly reel plus two weights
Fly rods length: 11ft-13.5ft
Average range: 30ft-100ft
Spey Fly fishing techniques
Spey Fly Rod
Spey casting technique requires two-hands to cast the heavier longer rods. Spey casting is essentially a large roll cast, developed on the Scottish River Spey where high banks do not allow space for the usual back cast.
Spey casting is used for fishing large rivers for salmon and large trout such as steelhead, salmon and sea trout. Spey technique is also used in saltwater surf casting. All of these situations require the angler to cast larger flies long distances. The two-handed Spey technique allows more powerful casts and avoids obstacles on the shore by keeping most of the line in front of the angler.
Reel: Spey Reel or traditional fly reel usually use 10wt – 12wt
Fly rods length: 9ft-17ft
Average casting range: 50ft-120ft
Tankara Fly Fishing techniques
Tankara Fly Rod
The traditional Japanese method of fly-fishing is known as “Tenkara” which literary means “from heaven” in Japanese, originated in the mountains of Japan as a way for professional fishermen and inn-keepers to harvest the small local fish, Ayu, trout, and char. Usually, the harvests were sold to markets and providing a meal to their guests. Primarily a small-stream fishing method that was preferred for being highly efficient, where the long rod allowed the fisherman to place the fly where the fish would be.
Reel: None
Fly rods are range from 9ft-17ft
Average casting range: 20ft-50ft
Centerpin – Not fly fishing but every fly fisherman should know how to cast a centerpin rod.