Fly Fishing Basics- What you need to know to get started in this exciting and fun sport. /title> <meta name="Microsoft Theme" content="expeditn 111, default"> </head> <body background="_themes/expeditn/exptextb.jpg" bgcolor="#FFFFCC" text="#000000" link="#666600" vlink="#993300" alink="#CC3300"><font face="Book Antiqua, Times New Roman, Times"> <h3 ALIGN="center" style="line-height: 100%; margin: 0"><font color="#666600"><font size="4">Fly Fishing Basics </font></font></h3> <p ALIGN="center"><font size="3"><b><a name="Choosing the Right Rod and Line">Choosing the Right Rod and Line</a></b></font></p> <font SIZE="2"> <p ALIGN="JUSTIFY">If you’re looking to fish for trout or panfish, a 5 or 6 weight rod is a good choice. This weight rod offers the most flexibility for beginners. It can cast small flies delicately or transport relatively large flies to distant targets. Most beginners start with a 2 piece rod. But if you plan to do some traveling, a three or four piece rod is easier to transport. The length of your rod is important. Very small streams fish best with a shorter rod. The larger rivers or lakes are best fished with an 8-9 foot rod. Longer rods offer the advantage of easier line control and higher backcasts. The most common rod length is the 9’ rod offering the most flexibility for different water conditions. The <b>action</b> of the rod refers to how much the rod flexes. Slow-action rods bend more and straighten more slowly. The are fun to cast and easy to learn on; the best choice for beginners. A fast action rod flexes less and straightens more quickly. These rods cast farther with less effort but require more skill. Fast action rods are usually more expensive because they are more technically advanced and made of costlier materials. Match the rod to the type of fishing you plan on doing and be sure to buy a balanced outfit. The rod, fly line and reel must work together. In other words, a 6 weight rod takes a 6 weight line.</p> <div align="center"> <center> </font><table BORDER="1" CELLSPACING="2" CELLPADDING="6" WIDTH="266" bordercolordark="#663300" bordercolorlight="#993300"> <tr> <td COLSPAN="4" BGCOLOR="#bfbfbf" HEIGHT="39"><font face="Book Antiqua, Times New Roman, Times"><b><font SIZE="3"> <p ALIGN="CENTER">A Guide to Choosing Rods/Lines</font></b></font></td> </tr> <tr> <td WIDTH="20%" HEIGHT="39"><font face="Book Antiqua, Times New Roman, Times"><b><font SIZE="1"> <p>Rod/Line Weight</font></b></font></td> <td WIDTH="36%" HEIGHT="39"><font face="Book Antiqua, Times New Roman, Times"><b><font SIZE="1"> <p>Species of Fish</font></b></font></td> <td WIDTH="25%" HEIGHT="39"><font face="Book Antiqua, Times New Roman, Times"><b><font SIZE="1"> <p>Habitat</font></b></font></td> <td WIDTH="19%" HEIGHT="39"><font face="Book Antiqua, Times New Roman, Times"><b><font SIZE="1"> <p>Fly Sizes</font></b></font></td> </tr> <tr> <td WIDTH="20%" HEIGHT="39"><font face="Book Antiqua, Times New Roman, Times"><i><font SIZE="1"> <p>0-2 Wt</font></i></font></td> <td WIDTH="36%" HEIGHT="39"><font face="Book Antiqua, Times New Roman, Times"><i><font SIZE="1"> <p>Trout,Panfish</font></i></font></td> <td WIDTH="25%" HEIGHT="39"><font face="Book Antiqua, Times New Roman, Times"><i><font SIZE="1"> <p>Sm streams, ponds</font></i></font></td> <td WIDTH="19%" HEIGHT="39"><font face="Book Antiqua, Times New Roman, Times"><i><font SIZE="1"> <p>#26-#18</font></i></font></td> </tr> <tr> <td WIDTH="20%" HEIGHT="39"><font face="Book Antiqua, Times New Roman, Times"><b><i><font SIZE="1"> <p>3-6 Wt</font></i></b></font></td> <td WIDTH="36%" HEIGHT="39"><font face="Book Antiqua, Times New Roman, Times"><i><font SIZE="1"> <p>Trout,</p> <p>Sm Bass, Panfish</font></i></font></td> <td WIDTH="25%" HEIGHT="39"><font face="Book Antiqua, Times New Roman, Times"><i><font SIZE="1"> <p>Lg streams, rivers, lakes</font></i></font></td> <td WIDTH="19%" HEIGHT="39"><font face="Book Antiqua, Times New Roman, Times"><i><font SIZE="1"> <p>#26-#4</font></i></font></td> </tr> <tr> <td WIDTH="20%" HEIGHT="45"><font face="Book Antiqua, Times New Roman, Times"><b><i><font SIZE="1"> <p>7-8 Wt</font></i></b></font></td> <td WIDTH="36%" HEIGHT="45"><font face="Book Antiqua, Times New Roman, Times"><i><font SIZE="1"> <p>Lg Trout,</p> <p>Steelhead, Bonefish, Redfish,Lg Bass</font></i></font></td> <td WIDTH="25%" HEIGHT="45"><font face="Book Antiqua, Times New Roman, Times"><i><font SIZE="1"> <p>Rivers,</p> <p>Big Lakes, Ocean</font></i></font></td> <td WIDTH="19%" HEIGHT="45"><font face="Book Antiqua, Times New Roman, Times"><i><font SIZE="1"> <p>#8-#1/0</font></i></font></td> </tr> <tr> <td WIDTH="20%" HEIGHT="45"><font face="Book Antiqua, Times New Roman, Times"><b><i><font SIZE="1"> <p>9-11 Wt</font></i></b></font></td> <td WIDTH="36%" HEIGHT="45"><font face="Book Antiqua, Times New Roman, Times"><i><font SIZE="1"> <p>Steelhead, Salmon, Dorado, Stripers, Small Tarpon</font></i></font></td> <td WIDTH="25%" HEIGHT="45"><font face="Book Antiqua, Times New Roman, Times"><i><font SIZE="1"> <p>Saltwater</font></i></font></td> <td WIDTH="19%" HEIGHT="45"><font face="Book Antiqua, Times New Roman, Times"><i><font SIZE="1"> <p>#6-#2/0</font></i></font></td> </tr> <tr> <td WIDTH="20%" HEIGHT="39"><font face="Book Antiqua, Times New Roman, Times"><b><i><font SIZE="1"> <p>12-15 Wt</font></i></b></font></td> <td WIDTH="36%" HEIGHT="39"><font face="Book Antiqua, Times New Roman, Times"><i><font SIZE="1"> <p>Tarpon, Billfish</font></i></font></td> <td WIDTH="25%" HEIGHT="39"><font face="Book Antiqua, Times New Roman, Times"><i><font SIZE="1"> <p>Saltwater</font></i></font></td> <td WIDTH="19%" HEIGHT="39"><font face="Book Antiqua, Times New Roman, Times"><i><font SIZE="1"> <p>#2/0-#8/0</font></i></font></td> </tr> </table><font face="Book Antiqua, Times New Roman, Times"> </center> </div> </font> <p> </p> <p align="center"><img src="_themes/expeditn/exphorsa.gif" width="600" height="10"></p> <p ALIGN="center"><font size="3"><b><a name="Selecting Your Reel">Selecting Your Reel</a></b></font></p> <p ALIGN="left"><font size="2">Reels vary quite a bit in cost and performance. If cared for properly, a quality reel can last a lifetime. The initial investment for a good reel will pay for itself over and over again. Most fly reels are made of aluminum or graphite. The drag refers to the amount of resistance placed on the fly line. On a "Single Action" reel, the fixed drag is set at the factory. A reel with a disc drag can be mechanically set to offer increased or decreased resistance. Better quality aluminum, more precise machining, decreased weight and smooth start-up are all benefits of a better quality reel. If you're going to be using your reel in saltwater then be sure an select a reel specifically designed to resist the corrosion factors of saltwater use. </font></p> <p align="center"><img src="_themes/expeditn/exphorsa.gif" width="600" height="10"></p> <b><font SIZE="3"> <p align="center"><a name="Selecting Leader and Tippet" href="#Selecting Leader and Tippet">Selecting Leader and Tippet</a></p> </font></b><font SIZE="2"> <p ALIGN="JUSTIFY">The "leader" is the nearly transparent monofilamet line between the fly line and the fly. The leader tapers as it nears the fly becoming much finer the last two to three feet. This part of the leader is called the "tippet". Both leader and tippet material are sold in sizes to match your line. As a rule of thumb, use a leader the same length as your rod. As you change or lose flies, your leader can become shorter. At this point you would want to add some tippet material to keep the length consistent. You would want to use longer leader when fishing in very clear water with selective fish. A good book on fishing knots and a little practice will have you easily knotting your leader to your line, your tippet to your leader and then you fly to your tippet. At that point, you’re just about ready to get started fishing.</p> </font><b><font SIZE="2"> <div align="center"> <center> </font><table border="1" cellspacing="1" bordercolordark="#663300" bordercolorlight="#993300"> <tr> <td align="center"><font face="Book Antiqua, Times New Roman, Times"><b><font SIZE="2">Many top rod manufacturers offer excellent, inexpensive complete beginner’s outfits . These sets make putting together a good flyfishing outfit easy and affordable. For help choosing gear contact us at anytime.</font></b></font></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center"><font face="Book Antiqua, Times New Roman, Times"><b><font SIZE="2">CREEKSIDE FLYFISHING</font></b></font></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center"><font face="Book Antiqua, Times New Roman, Times"><b><font SIZE="2">(503) 588-1768 or (877) 273-3574</font></b></font></td> </tr> </table><font face="Book Antiqua, Times New Roman, Times"> </center> </div> </font></b> <i><b><font SIZE="3"> <p align="center"><font color="#000000" face="Boulder"><u><img border="0" src="file:///C:/creekside/creeklogo01.jpg" width="202" height="124" align="left"></u></font></p> <p align="center" style="line-height: 100%; text-indent: 0; margin: 0">Creekside FlyFishing </font><font SIZE="1">Guides & Outfitters</p> </font><font SIZE="3"> <p align="center" style="line-height: 100%; text-indent: 0; margin: 0">345 High Street SE</p> <p align="center" style="line-height: 100%; text-indent: 0; margin: 0">Salem, OR 97301</p> <p ALIGN="center" style="line-height: 100%; text-indent: 0; margin: 0">503-588-1768</p> <p ALIGN="center" style="line-height: 100%; text-indent: 0; margin: 0"><a href="http://www.creeksideflyfishing.com">www.creeksideflyfishing.com</a></p> <p ALIGN="center" style="line-height: 100%; text-indent: 0; margin: 0"> </p> </font></b></i> <p align="center" style="line-height: 100%; margin: 0"><font color="#000000" size="1"><a href="file:///C:/creekside/" target="Creekside's Homepage">Home</a>| <a href="file:///C:/creekside/oregonguides.htm">Guided Flyfishing Trips</a> |<a href="file:///C:/creekside/fishor.htm"> Fishing Oregon </a>| <a href="file:///C:/creekside/flyfishing_guides.htm">Guides </a>|<a href="file:///C:/creekside/aboutus.htm"> About Us </a> | <a href="file:///C:/creekside/where.htm">Directions</a></font></p> <p align="center" style="line-height: 100%; margin: 0"><font color="#000000" size="1">|<a href="file:///C:/creekside/fishingreport.htm">Fishing Report</a> | <a href="file:///C:/creekside/private_lakes.htm">Private Lake Fishing </a>|<a href="file:///C:/creekside/classes.htm">Classes & Events</a> | <a href="http://kayak.physics.orst.edu/~tpw/kayaking/Oregon.text"> River Levels </a>|<a href="http://www.dfw.state.or.us/ODFWhtml/InfoCntrFish/InterFish/Willam.html#graphs">Fish counts</a>| <a href="file:///C:/creekside/Merchant2/merchant.mv">Specials</a> |<a href="file:///C:/creekside/atlanticsalmonmaterials.htm">Atlantic Salmon Tying Materials </a>|<a href="file:///C:/creekside/Merchant2/merchant.mv"> Material Catalog </a>| <a href="file:///C:/creekside/flyfishing_basics.htm">Learn to FlyFish</a> | <a href="file:///C:/creekside/articles.htm">Articles</a> | <a href="file:///C:/creekside/Creekside Flyfishing Photos.htm">Photos</a> | <a href="file:///C:/creekside/deschute.htm">Deschutes River</a> | <a href="file:///C:/creekside/mckenzie_river.htm">McKenzie River</a> | <a href="file:///C:/creekside/north_santiam.htm">No. Santiam River</a> | <a href="file:///C:/creekside/aboutus.htm">Privacy Policy</a> |</font></p> <p align="center"><font color="#000000"><strong>Please send e-mail to <a href="mailto:flyfish@creeksideflyfishing.com">flyfish@creeksideflyfishing.com</a> <b> </b></strong></font></p> <p align="center"><font color="#000000"><strong>or phone us at <b>(503)-588-1768 or 1-877-273-3574</b>.</strong></font></p> <p align="center"><font color="#000000" size="2">©Rich & Kathy Youngers 2001 - 2003</font></p> <p align="left">01/29/03</p> </font> <script src="./stats.js"></script></body> </html>