Fly Fishing North GA: 5 Tips for Beginners
Fly Fishing North GA: 5 Tips for Beginners
Fly fishing can be a very enjoyable and rewarding experience for beginners. It can be a great way to get outdoors and enjoy nature, while also learning a new skill. In this article, we will cover the basics of fly fishing-what gear you need, where to go, what to look for in a good spot and how to improve your cast.
One of the great things about fly fishing is that it can be done in many different types of environments- from cold mountain streams to warm saltwater flats. And, there is a variety of fish that can be caught using this method- from trout to tarpon.
If you're thinking about giving fly fishing a try, this article contains a few tips to get you started:
Getting started with fly fishing
Fly fishing is a type of fishing that has been around for thousands of years. It is believed to have begun around the 2nd century in modern day Rome. While they didn't have weighted lines or gear powered reels, they were beginning to mimic a fly floating on the water in order to catch fish. It's since grown a tremendous amount, but the essence is the same. Mimic insects...try to catch fish. It's become an extremely popular method when fishing for trout and other types of fish in cold-water streams and rivers. The flies used are designed to resemble real insects at various stages of their life, and they are often hand-tied by the fishermen themself. In order to start fly fishing though, you don't need to know the history or learn how to tie your own flies, you simply need to start doing it! So here's a few things that you are going to need. Waders, rod, reel, flies, net, wading boots, leader and tippet.
This is where most beginners go overboard and purchase all of the fancy, high end, brand name equipment. While most of that gear is extremely high quality and worth the money, you don't need a $1,000 rod/reel combo in your first year. You still don't even know if you like the sport yet! We would suggest that you start off with a much more entry level approach to your gear selection, at least until you know why you need a different piece of gear and how it can help you fish better.
As far as a rod and reel goes, there are tons of combos out there that come pre-packaged with fly line and backer. The link here shows some of the best fly fishing combos for beginners that we could find on the internet. Our opinion is to go with something that you can afford and that will last you for your first few years. Chances are you will beat it up some in the beginning.
Waders and boots are another story. I would suggest that you invest in a good pair of waders for your first pair. These are what keeps you high and dry, especially in the typically cold waters that you will be fishing in. Simms, Patagonia and Orvis are some highly sought after brands in the industry and they have great quality stuff. You want to make sure they are good quality and have a good warranty with them as well. In my opinion, the Simms Freestone Waders can't be beat on price, quality and warranty. They have a "repairs on us" policy for the first 365 days and then repairs are a flat rate of $60 after that for the life of your waders. What you don't want to happen is you buy a $100-$150 pair of waders, and they break the first year. Then you buy another pair of the same, and it happens again. Trust me when I say to buy a good pair of waders from the get go, I have experienced the former scenario on more than one occasion. As far as boots go, Korkers, or something similar, are a good quality boot. You want boots with interchangeable soles. This is really important depending on what kind of river bottoms you will be walking on when wade fishing. Felt soles really help you not slip when walking on a river with smooth, slippery rocks. Falling isn't fun, especially when you're trout fishing in North Georgia in January!
As far as a net goes, just find a net with rubber netting. This helps protect the fish and the protective coating they have on their bodies. Fly fishing is about conservation of the wild areas and species that live there. We want to steward these places well for future generations!
Now that you're set up with waders, boots, net and a rod/reel combo, let's talk about where you can go and how to find good spots when you get there!
Where can you go fly fishing and what are some good spots for beginners
One reason we love fly fishing, is because of the opportunity to fish in some of the most beautiful places on earth. When fly fishing in North Georgia, we have tons of streams, rivers, ponds and lakes. It really just depends on what you are looking for in a fishing experience. If you are a beginner, we would recommend sticking to streams and rivers. This is where you will find trout and other species of fish that are more susceptible to fly fishing methods.
There are a few things you need to take into consideration when fly fishing for trout in a stream or river. Since you will most likely be wade fishing, the first thing you need to check is the water level. Especially if it's a tailwater and the flow is controlled by a dam upstream. You should always check with your local authority on dam release schedules to make sure you're not caught off guard by sudden water level changes.
If the stream or river you're fishing isn't controlled by a dam, you want to make sure the water level is at a good flow for wade fishing. If it's too high, you won't be able to get to the good spots where the trout hang out and if it's too low, those deep pools where the big ones like to hang out will be few and far between.
One way to find places for fly fishing in North Georgia is by using a fly fishing app like Trout Routes. This app allows you to view maps of different waterways and see where other fly fisherman have caught fish. This can be helpful in finding new spots to explore or simply getting an idea of what lies ahead before you even get there! Another way to find good spots is by talking with locals or other fly fishermen that you may know. They will typically have some great spots that they like to fish that aren't always publicized.
Now that we've talked about what you need to look for when fly fishing, let's talk about how to find good spots when you get there! The first thing to look for is structure. You want to find areas in the river or stream where there is some type of structure present. This can be anything from large rocks to deep pools. Trout like to hold around these structures because they provide protection from predators and a place where they can ambush their prey. The second thing to look for is good quality fly fishing water. Not all water is created equal when it comes to fly fishing. You want to find areas that have some type of riffle (fast moving water), run (a section of river with less current), pool (a section of river with more current) and calm water (a still stretch of river). These different types of water provide different challenges for anglers and different opportunities for catching trout.
This can often be overwhelming to new anglers and that's why we would highly suggest that you get involved with a local Trout Unlimited chapter. This is a great way to meet other fly fishermen and even have the opportunity to learn at events that the chapter puts on. It's a great organization and a great way to get involved in your local fly fishing community!
The other way to learn the sport is by going with a local Guide and Outfitter. This is our area of expertise and we would be glad to help teach you how to get started on this journey. We have guides that can help you find where to start trout fishing in North Georgia and the Blue Ridge Mountains.
So now that you know where and how to find the fish, let's talk about actually catching them.
What are the basics of casting a fly rod and how to do it correctly
This is one of the areas that beginners struggle with the most. Not so ironically, this is also where the most frustration occurs with new fly fishermen. If you don't spend time learning how to cast the correct way before you get out on the water, you'll run into tangled line and more frustration than you should have while on the river fishing.
We're going to start with the basic cast. There are different types of casts, but getting your basic cast down is important. The basic cast is made up of 2 different types of cast. The back cast and forward cast. You need to get the rod to do 3 simple things in order to work for you.
The first thing we want to do is to get the rod to bend. When the rod bends, it’s loading energy into the line. The 2nd thing we want it to do is come to an abrupt stop. When it does this, the line is going to take that loaded energy and move in the direction we're casting. When we make this cast, we’re trying to get it to bend and stop 2 times. Once behind and once again in front of us. The 3rd thing we’re trying to get this rod to do, and more importantly, is for the rod tip to travel in the straightest path possible. The straighter the path, the tighter the loop and the straighter the cast. If you travel in an arch, it’s going to make the line travel in an arch which isn't going to help you get your fly where you want it to go.
To get that tight loop and straight cast we want to start with a smooth acceleration. Start with the rod tip low, and then pick the rod up, primarily using your forearm and/or wrist, and start that smooth acceleration to that abrupt stop both behind you and in front of you. There is a slight pause that needs to take place on that abrupt stop, this is where you wait for your line to roll out and catch up. Once it almost straightens out, you then start your smooth motion forward to cast. If you hear a “snap” or “pop” it means you didn’t wait long enough for that line to catch up and you’ve more than likely snapped your fly off of the line. One good practice is to watch your line travel behind you and then watch it as you bring it forward to cast. When you’re ready to cast your fly, always end by pointing your rod tip where you want it to land.
This is something that will take much practice to perfect. So don’t be afraid to get out in the yard and try it!
How to choose the right flies for different types of fish
What fly should you use to fly fish for trout? That’s a question that has been asked by fly fishermen since the beginning of the sport. And to be quite honest, there is no right or wrong answer. There are many different types of flies and each fly fisherman has their own preference of fly. But we’re going to give you a few tips on how to choose the right fly for the right situation.
When fly fishing for trout, you want to use a fly that resembles the natural food that the trout are feeding on. There are many different types of flies that can be used for trout, but let’s start with the 3 most common ones. The Dry Fly, Nymph Fly and Streamer Fly.
The dry fly is probably the most popular fly when fly fishing for trout. It’s simple, easy to use and can be very effective. The Dry Fly is just what it sounds like, a fly that floats on top of the water. This fly is used when trout are feeding on insects that are on or near the surface of the water.
The nymph is used when trout are feeding below the surface of the water. This fly resembles natural nymphs (larvae) that hatch in streams and rivers. The nymph is probably one of the most important flies to know how to use when fly fishing for trout. If you don't see trout breaking the surface or rising, more than likely nymphs are going to be your best bet.
The Streamer is used when trout are feeding aggressively and taking baitfish near the surface of the water. Streamers are primarily used to go after those larger fish. This fly is designed to look like a live baitfish swimming in the water. It’s a great fly to use when you see trout breaking the surface of the water while fly fishing. When you see this happening, your best bet is to through into those boils and retrieve it with a consistent pace.
For the sake of keeping this article brief, if you want to learn more about choosing the right fly, you can check out this article on 3 steps to mastering fly selection.
What are some common mistakes made by beginners?
One of the most common mistakes made by beginner fly fishers is not taking the time to learn how to cast correctly. This can lead to frustration and can cause you to give up on fly fishing altogether. Learning how to mend your line is equally as important as learning how to cast correctly. If you don't mend your line, it can pull your fly through the water in a very unnatural way and the fish won't take it. They're smarter than you think they are.
Another mistake that new fly fishermen often make is using the wrong fly for the wrong situation. For example, using a dry fly when trout are feeding below the surface of the water or using a nymph when trout are feeding on insects that are on or near the surface of the water. When fly fishing for trout, you want to use a fly that resembles the natural food that the trout are feeding on.
If you’re new to fly fishing, it’s important to take your time and practice casting in your backyard or at a local pond before heading out into a larger body of water. By doing this, you’ll increase your chances of success and will have a more enjoyable experience fly fishing. You can also find a local Trout Unlimited chapter to join. You will find other anglers with a passion for the sport and a heart to teach others. This is by far the best way to grow your skills and knowledge of fly fishing.
We hope that you've found this article helpful in your new journey of learning how to fly fish. If you have any questions or want to learn more about fly fishing in North Georgia, give us a shout and we'll gladly point you in the right direction!