Learn to Fly Fish
How to Fly Fish?
Welcome to Fly Fishing - you'll love it.
Yeah, bloody good question. Just how do I do it? If you've just started on your 'fly fishing journey ' then you've probably got a bunch more questions to go along with that big one at the top of this page.
Before we get too far, mate, stick at it. It can be pretty daunting at first, seeing all those vest-clad chaps waist-deep in the river tying on all manner of fly with names you've never heard of. How do they do it? Well, they've probably been at it for years, or at least know enough to pick a good hare and copper and be done with it. Half the time they probably are just as at sea as you are...or at river. Something like that anyway.
If you've always wanted to get started in fly fishing but didn't know where to start this section of our blog is here to help get you started in a way that will not only set you in the right direction, but it will eliminate the initial fear, trepidation and a helluva lot of frustration that can come with starting out in fly fishing.
Getting started with fly fishing can be daunting. There's so much to learn about gear, casting techniques, and fly selection. That's where we come in.
There are four parts to your fly fishing journey:
What do I need to start Fly Fishing?
How do I cast a fly rod?
What flies do I need?
How do I find fish?
What do I need to start Fly Fishing?
Sometimes the hardest part of getting into any sport is knowing what you need to get going. Fly Fishing is no different. Well, it's totally different to picking up a cricket bat and heading to the park with some mates, sure, it's not that simple, but it's also not horrifically complicated that you can't get yourself going with a few simple items. So simple in fact that there's an article all about getting your first rod and reel combo. Click the link below and then pop back here. Go on, off you go now. We'll wait.
What gear you need
Right, you can actually get started fishing now. No, you really can You've got your rod and reel all sorted. You can have a browse through our PRIMAL rod section here and find one at your local Manic dealer. Rods and reels are sold separately, but they are also sold as complete combos ready to fish. We match all our rods with reels, plus lines, so that all you have to say when you enter the store is 'show me the PRIMAL combos, my good man or woman'. The cool thing here is that they will spool the reel - i.e. put all the line on - and they will show you how to put it all together. Take a good look at how they put the reel on the rod, how they put the rod together, and also how they feed the line through the guides (those metal circles) on the rod. They probably won't come to the river with you when you go to use it so do pay attention.
How do I cast a fly rod?
Ok, so there's a touch more to go. Casting!
It's all well and good having yourself and a shiny new PRIMAL rod combo, but unlike sitting on a wharf where you can just flick the bail arm and drop your big slab of bait to the bottom and let the fish do the rest. No, there's a touch more to it. But, once again, we are here to help you out. We've got an article all primed and ready to help you to learn to fly fish. Click the link below and learn from quite possibly New Zealand's favourite guide, Chris Dore. He gives you the full beginner's Fly Fishing 101 casting guide. What a guy! Click it, read it, and then pop back here for the next part of learning to fly fish. Go on now, don't be shy.
How to cast a fly rod
Kia ora guys, how'd you go? Lift, lift, lift, lift, snap.............chop and drop? Yeah, nice one. See, we told you it really wasn't all that hard. And , truth be told, it isn't. It just takes practice and the great thing about learning to fly fish is that you don't actually need a river to learn how to do it. Starting off in the backyard is going to be a lot less frustrating than rocking up the mighty Tongariro and giving it the old college try only to lose $100 worth of flies in the trees behind you.
How are you feeling now? Yeah, Old Mate Mr Dore , is well worth checking out if you really want to learn fly fishing.
Righto, off you go. Nothing more to see here , just get out there and go for it ... well, again, not quite. Yeah, we did start this off with four points ... here's number there.
What flies do I need?
We mentioned the old faithful hare and copper above, but there's so many flies out there for each and every angler's taste. Note, we just said 'anglers taste'. The fish don't really care what they taste like, till after they've had a bite. Your job is to put something on the menu that looks like their favourite food. Lucky for you the Manic Fly Collection is the largest fishing fly menu in this part of the country.
Of course, simply showing you a menu and saying pick one isn't really going to help. Fly fishing flies have a wonderful nature of catching anglers, so you will need to read this article by our man, Rene Vaz. Click the link and have a read of just what you will need to have in your fly box ... but also when and where you can use them.
How to select the right flies
You've got the rod combo sorted. You know how to cast. You've got the right flies tied on (and a good dozen or so on standby). Mate, you are set to go. There's just one more step for you.
How do I find fish?
There's several anglers out there who will tell you something like 'mate, I may not be the best at casting, but I sure do know how to tell where the fish are'. For all intents and purposes, they are probably right. For all the good the first three sections have been for you, if you don't know where the fish are, you may as well just keep casting in a local park.
What you need to do now is read the below article and then apply that knowledge to your local river. Granted , all rivers are different, but generally fish will stick to certain areas, certain structure and a whole bunch of easily learnt certain things that will have you spotting them in no time at all . Click the link and start looking. Once you start fly fishing you will never look at a piece of water the same way again.
How to find fish (need article)
Once you've mastered the basics, you can start exploring our other blogs, articles and how-to's to learn more about specific fly fishing techniques and destinations.
For now, here's a few more choice gems to get you on to the next steps. Each article has a few more tips to keep you moving along with your learning...and frothing.
Getting Started in Fly Fishing by Chris Dore
The Five Essentials of Fly Casting by Rene Vaz
What Trout Flies do I need? by Ollie Bassett
Wading Safety by Team Manic
How to net fish by Chris Dore
What do I need for fishing lakes? by Rene Vaz
Line Management tips for Fly Fishing by Rene Vaz
5 common Fly Fishing Errors - and how to correct them by Chris Dore
Learning to Fly Fish by Ben Brown
Best Fly Casting Tips - by Chris Dore