I’m new to the game, so my apologies for the beginner’s inquiry.
Went out for the first time yesterday (for small trout) and, despite some sloppy casting a few tangles and plenty of other beginner’s mistakes on my part, managed to get a few strikes. Problem was, the current was pretty swift, so whenever the fish hit, there was way too much slack in my line to tighten and set.
Can anyone offer any tips?
Thanks in advance.
Fly guy,
Welcome to the hard part. Instead of just casting a fly, … you are starting to FISH.
Some reading …
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Christopher Chin
Jonquiere Quebec
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FishIn 2006:
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anoth common beginner mistake is to keep the rod tip pointed pointed up, as you would do with a spinning rod.
instead, point the tip of the rod down towards the water, rod in one hand, line in the other, following your fly. when you get a strike, simply lift your rod hand upwards, while keeping your line hand where it is. depending on how long your rod and arm are, you can take up near 10 feet of slack in one motion.
also, when fishing for smaller trout, dont worry about getting them “on the reel”. just strip in slack with your line hand, and keep the line under the index finger of your rod hand, to bring him in.
I’d echo David D’s comment re: local mentor. As JC sez, mending is the trick. It’s hard to describe but once you see it done, you’ll understand how. Basically, what you after is getting the belly (caused by the dragging current) out of your line and letting the fly lead the whole show down the current. This is done by a rounding motion of your hand which makes the rod tip go in a circle upstream which sends the circle down the line lifting the line out of the water and moving the belly back upstream. Confused yet?
Get a mentor. I’ll betcha the next fly fisher you see can show you how in a jiffy.
Snow on the roof but with fire still in the hearth
I think that’s pretty good getting strikes on your first time out. Perhaps hire a guide and get some lessons. They know what works and how to do it. Maybe get past that point a whole lot faster with a lesson or two, instead of a whole lot of trying to figure it out.
Jim
FlyGuy,
I forgot to mention ,… Nice congrats on getting strikes on your first time out. That must have gotten the adrenalin pumping 
I agree too with the others,(Jim et.al.) some hands on “instruction” will literally vault you along your way. Some of the smallest tricks go a very long way to helping us with casting and line control.
A local shop or club can point you in the right direction. Or, … “troll” around here and maybe another board member is in your area.
Have fun … sounds like you are well on your way.
Christopher Chin
Jonquiere Quebec
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FishIn 2006:
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[This message has been edited by fcch (edited 03 July 2005).]
Thanks to everyone for their advice - all of it very helpful.
I’m at least familiar with the idea of mending, though I can’t often pull it off without causing a huge commotion on the water. All in good time, I suppose. I’m hooked for the long haul.