May 19 2008
Where To Draw The Line…
Yesterday I was speaking to a man who has just began to fly-fish, and he asked me an interesting question that seems to typically be overlooked, “how often should I change my fly line?”
This question has a number of answers that can all be considered correct. Firstly, the leader and tippet should be treated separately from each other. The tippet material will need to simply be replaced as it is need, it should consist of about three feet of material, and should be replaced when it slowly reaches about 1 ½ feet. The leader can vary in length, and will need to be replaced according to use. It is important that one not allow their leader to become too dirty, or become frayed do to use. Wear and tear on the leader will cause it to become weak, and it will not longer support the weight intended, meaning the difference between a huge trout and a huge story. I personally replace my leader about twice a season to ensure that it does not become too weakened.
Float line is more durable than the leader, but is still subject to dirt and drying. Sunlight, as well as a number of chemical that I have discussed in that past, can drastically deteriorate the line, and will cause it to need to be replaced. It is important to clean the line often, as previously described in earlier blogs, but will need to be replaced seasonally. The strength of floating line is subject to its use, if you are a more avid fisherman, than it will be necessary that you change your line more often. Some hits that your line should be replaced are that it will begin to remain curled when cast, this is a result of grit composite and stretching. Furthermore, if the line does seem to be floating as it once did, but instead drags through the water just below the surface, the line should be replaced.
This past week I spent time scouting out, and fishing, a local pond here in northeastern Connecticut. It was my first time fishing this specific body of water, so I met up with the owner of the property to discuss the ins and outs of fishing there. After a few minutes of conversation, he began [...]
Although I enjoy the reliability and strength of my modern graphite, Pfueger rod, there tends to be a great joy in casting my grandfather’s handcrafted split bamboo rod. The rod is a ten and a half foot bamboo rod that he acquired long before I was born. My grandfather passed away before I was old [...]
As we are approaching fishing season, there are certain etiquettes that should be discussed.
One of the most important rules of fly fishing is that a fisherman should never, under any circumstances, ‘cull.’
Culling is the very inconsiderate practice of keeping a trout in a creel, and then, after catching larger trout, returns the spent trout to [...]
Spot fishing is a good technique when you find yourself in a situation where there are a number of visible fish rising. The basic idea is to always be ready for a repositioning of the fly to the place of the most current activity, whether that is along the shore, or toward the mid current [...]
The Usual is a very simple fly to tie, and can easily be accomplished by anyone who is starting to tie flies, due to the fact that it is very forgiving. When I tie the Usual, I prefer to use a #10 Mustad hook. I have found this size to be most efficient when fishing [...]