Like all sports and hobbies, fly fishing takes trial and error to master. Even after you’ve become more skilled, you may still make mistakes at times. But learning about them can help you avoid them. Here are four common fly fishing mistakes even pros make.
Mistake #1: Not Knowing Your Fly Selection
You’ve decided to take up fly fishing, and you just purchased all the necessary equipment from the fly shop. It’s a lot to take in. Opening a new fly box can be pretty overwhelming. However, all those options and selections should never deter you. If anything, they should excite you.
As previously stated, fly fishing is about trial and error. When you approach a new water area, the chances are that you won’t know what’s ideal to use there. That’s perfectly fine. It’s best to stick to the basics anyway. Once you get more practice in and get a feel for what works, then you can go crazy with your fly selection.
Mistake #2: False Casting Too Much
We understand how fun casting is. It adds a dramatic flair to fly fishing. However, making too many false casts can create tangles and limit the amount of time your fly is in the water. It’s better to give yourself time for the fish to bite.
The most significant advantage you have as a fisherman is the element of surprise. You have a greater chance of catching a fish by staying still in the water. You don’t want to spook the fish by making too many false casts.
Mistake #3: Not Being Stealthy
Remember, you never want to scare the fish. If you can see them, then they can see you. It’s best to approach the water slowly or position yourself about 20 yards downstream and sneak up on the fish from behind.
Avoid wearing bright colors and casting your shadow through the water. The more you blend in with your surroundings, the more likely you’ll be to catch something. Above all, never slosh through the water. Creep as much as you possibly can.
Mistake #4: Using Too Much Line
Using too much line might be the most common mistake pros make when fly fishing. You don’t want to throw out too much line because you increase your chances of getting it tangled.
Any excess line can get caught in your boots and other nearby objects. It can also end up tying itself in a knot. Trying to get yourself out of that mess will give your position away.
We didn’t include this in the list, but you should remember never to get discouraged. There will be days when you catch something and days when you don’t. That’s okay. You were still able to spend the day outside in a relaxing atmosphere. For more tips and information on fly fishing, you can visit our website.
