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We all fish for different reasons, whether its to get away or to have an excuse for a fun day, but we all share one primary goal; catch fish.  No matter where you are in your fly-fishing journey there is always room for improvement and learning new tactics.  You maybe a pro or a beginner but if you follow this framework, you can improve your fly-fishing skills and become a better angler.  There is no better time to start than now!

  • The Fly Fishing Equation: Location + Fly Selection + Presentation = Catch Fish. This may seem very obvious and simple, but even the best can forget the basics.  The main issue arises when the fisherman focuses on only one part of the equation instead of factoring in all variables.  For example, focusing too much on the presentation of the hook or trying to find the perfect fly can cost you a lot of time and missed fish.  Balance is the most repeated trend in fly fishing for a reason, it is the most important!
  • Location: There are dozens of variables that make up what makes for a good location for fly-fishing.  These variables are as follows: environmental factors, streamflows, river factors, and water factors.  Environmental factors focus on the desired catch of the day, water temperatures, and insect life. Streamflows focus on the historical data of the certain body of water you have chosen and how the highs and lows of water can affect your catch.  River and water factors focus on the ability to read the water and make a cast based on the information gathered.
  • Fly Selection: If you do not know the 13 major categories of insects that trout eat start studying now! The 13 are as follows: Midges, Mayflies, Caddis, Stoneflies, Scuds, Snowbugs, Hoppers, Ants, Beetles, Annelids, Damselflies, Dragonflies, and Water Boatman.
  • Presentation: This is where all of your hard work finally comes together. Your main focus of the presentation should be the right set-up, the cast, and the drift. The right set-up changes with every day and every fishing spot.  The cast is choosing the correct position to throw your line and disguise it as an insect.  The drift is factoring in the water movement to make your fly presented naturally.

The next time you set out on a fly-fishing trip, try to remember this framework and impress everyone with the amount of fish you catch!

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Source: https://thecatchandthehatch.com/most-important-fly-fishing-article-youll-ever-read/

John Doherty