I’m no expert, but I love fly fishing for brook trout and salmon. When our favorite spot became artificial lures only, I decided to try fly fishing despite not knowing anything about it. The rods we used were long, heavy, and super flexed and casting was an all-out effort. We spent more time changing out flies than actually catching fish, so we got a lot of practice tying knots. In short, it was all trial and lots of errors, once we had success it was all the sweeter. Being a novice can be challenging, so I’ve shared some tips to help you get started.
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| Staci Warren recommends plenty of practice for anyone new to fly fishing in Maine and shares some tips to help those just starting out in the sport. COURTESY PHOTO |
Major outdoor retailers have similar options within the same price range, so it’s not that hard to find a beginner outfit. I recommend buying an extra spool or matching reel for a sinking line if you plan to fish a river or do some trolling; most combos come with floating line.
I first used a traditional cloth vest, but now I use a small harness-style chest pack that can be bought for almost the same amount as a cloth vest, and it has everything at my fingertips. These types of pack give you more freedom to move than the full-size vest packs and are cooler to wear in the summer. Mine has a rod holder and all the tools are on zips. I am still guilty of cramming too much in it, but it makes changing a fly or tippet on the river easier.
If you plan to fish a river, or wade a shallow pond, buy a pair of waders that fit. Good waders are not cheap, but I quickly learned that sweating in a pair of men’s rubber waders with size 11 boots for my size 8 feet is no fun and fishing in freezing spring water with my sneakers doesn’t cut it either.
I first used a traditional cloth vest, but now I use a small harness-style chest pack that can be bought for almost the same amount as a cloth vest, and it has everything at my fingertips. These types of pack give you more freedom to move than the full-size vest packs and are cooler to wear in the summer. Mine has a rod holder and all the tools are on zips. I am still guilty of cramming too much in it, but it makes changing a fly or tippet on the river easier.
If you plan to fish a river, or wade a shallow pond, buy a pair of waders that fit. Good waders are not cheap, but I quickly learned that sweating in a pair of men’s rubber waders with size 11 boots for my size 8 feet is no fun and fishing in freezing spring water with my sneakers doesn’t cut it either.
If you can’t buy your “dream pair,” at least make sure they fit properly and that you can wear fleece pants and wool socks under them for the early season freezing waters. A good breathable pair of stocking foot waders with separate pair of boots is my preference.
The net may seem insignificant, but it’s hard to land a fish without a net. For years, I netted my catch with a $14 wooden net. The net was barely big enough for a decent salmon, and the fly hooks got tangled in the black netting.
The net may seem insignificant, but it’s hard to land a fish without a net. For years, I netted my catch with a $14 wooden net. The net was barely big enough for a decent salmon, and the fly hooks got tangled in the black netting.
Thinking I finally found a better net, last year, I doled out a whopping $34 for an aluminum one with a rubber net. It hung low on my back but was bigger than the wooden one. I think I used it twice before it disappeared, presumably down the river last fall. I’m back to using one of the wooden nets I kept as backup. For my birthday, I’ve asked for an upgrade!
Understanding the hatch cycle will help you determine what flies to use and when to use them.
While everyone has an opinion, here’s what I have had the most success using. Early spring on the river, use streamers or nymph setup using sinking line. Woolly Buggers (size 8 olive or black) with a tan, beadhead Hare’s Ear Flashback nymph (size 10 or 12) tied 18 inches down, or using a Black Ghost, will yield ice-out salmon.
Early season, we troll for native brook trout on the pond using sinking line and one of the following: Black Ghost, Grey Ghost, Mickey Finn, or Maple Syrup (red or white). Save the floating line and dry flies for May trout fishing. My favorites are (size 10 or 12) Mosquito, Black Gnat, Blue Wing Olive, Elk Hair Caddis and Adams. I recommend buying a dozen nymphs and six each of the others to start the season off.
It’ll be hard but try to avoid the lure of filling your box with flies you won’t need. Don’t forget extra tippet and leader, and practice, practice, practice: “Hello, It’s for You” casting! Remember, any fly fisherman at some point was a beginner. Wherever you fish, be safe, know the laws, and have a great season!
-- Staci Warren provides a unique woman’s perspective and column on the outdoors every month. She is a freelance writer whose blog, My Mainely Girl Adventures, is about a woman hunting, fishing, trapping, foraging and living in the Maine outdoors. She also loves camping, star gazing, wildlife watching, and hunting for fossils. She’s an active member and board member of the New England Outdoor Writers Association and is a monthly columnist and feature writer for The Maine Sportsman Magazine. In her free time, she enjoys mentoring women hunters and trappers. <
Understanding the hatch cycle will help you determine what flies to use and when to use them.
While everyone has an opinion, here’s what I have had the most success using. Early spring on the river, use streamers or nymph setup using sinking line. Woolly Buggers (size 8 olive or black) with a tan, beadhead Hare’s Ear Flashback nymph (size 10 or 12) tied 18 inches down, or using a Black Ghost, will yield ice-out salmon.
Early season, we troll for native brook trout on the pond using sinking line and one of the following: Black Ghost, Grey Ghost, Mickey Finn, or Maple Syrup (red or white). Save the floating line and dry flies for May trout fishing. My favorites are (size 10 or 12) Mosquito, Black Gnat, Blue Wing Olive, Elk Hair Caddis and Adams. I recommend buying a dozen nymphs and six each of the others to start the season off.
It’ll be hard but try to avoid the lure of filling your box with flies you won’t need. Don’t forget extra tippet and leader, and practice, practice, practice: “Hello, It’s for You” casting! Remember, any fly fisherman at some point was a beginner. Wherever you fish, be safe, know the laws, and have a great season!
-- Staci Warren provides a unique woman’s perspective and column on the outdoors every month. She is a freelance writer whose blog, My Mainely Girl Adventures, is about a woman hunting, fishing, trapping, foraging and living in the Maine outdoors. She also loves camping, star gazing, wildlife watching, and hunting for fossils. She’s an active member and board member of the New England Outdoor Writers Association and is a monthly columnist and feature writer for The Maine Sportsman Magazine. In her free time, she enjoys mentoring women hunters and trappers. <
