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Fly fishing is an amazing sport. From fishing local streams and lakes to the deep sea, Fly fishing is a very unique and universal style of fishing that can has many facets to enjoy. There is so much to learn about the sport and it can be very overwhelming to try and get into it so this guide is meant to be an easy to understand roadmap to help start your journey.
Where to start?
Before you make the initial investment into gear and accessories it is recommended to do some basic research into the sport.
I highly recommend checking out some books from your local library on fly fishing to get acquainted with everything fly fishing entails. I highly recommend Essential Fly Fishing by Tom Meade (ISBN: 1-55821-334-1) it is a wonderful fully illustrated book that has helped me so much on my own fly fishing journey.
I also recommend checking out your local fly fishing clubs and groups which will help you get connected with your community and will provide a rich resource to learn from. I have learned so much from free casting clinics hosted by my local fly fishing club which has been invaluable. Here is a list of clubs across the united states to help you get started. Please reach out and ask questions they will be happy to help you get equipped with the knowledge to select gear that will best suit your needs.
Finding gear.
Gear can be expensive especially when you first start. There are so many different kinds of rods and reels and accessories that can get can confusing which can make finding the right setup for you very daunting.
Keeping it simple is key. All you need to start out is a rod, a reel, a pack of leaders, a spool of tippet, and some flies. I would consult your local fly tackle shop and fly fishing clubs for advice on what you should get.
Once you have a list of what you need I would check out Offerup and Facebook Marketplace to score some deals on used gear. I got my Rod for $35 on marketplace and it has served me very well.
Don't get overwhelmed with all the accessories and apparel options for fly fishing they are truly unnecessary for getting started. Don't bother getting waders or float tubes or fancy vests, just focus on getting a solid rod reel and line and the rest can wait. Instead of using a fancy vest an old fanny pack or pair of cargo shorts will do just fine. Fishing from shore is just as effective as being in the water so don't feel left out by the other fishermen on their fancy kayaks.
License and registration?
All jokes aside making sure you are following the laws and regulations in your state is extremely important. Make sure to get educated on your state's laws around recreational fishing. Most states require a license which is very easy to get. Just visit your nearest fish and game/ fish and wildlife office and bring a valid form of ID to purchase a fishing license. It is usually around $70 for a year. In my state for a freshwater license with a saltwater enhancement cost me $66.70. Keep in mind some lakes do charge fees to fish so always be aware of that when picking out your next fishing spot.
I have my gear and license. What's next?
Now its time to hit the road to your nearest lake and get fishing. If you have the opportunity to take a class, do it. It will save a lot of frustration and help build a solid foundation for you to fish on your own. I wish I did. Since I've started taking classes fly fishing has become easier than ever and made the learning curve much more approachable.
Before you get started fishing for real take some time to learn your basic casting techniques, as poor technique can cause your leader/tippet to snap or even worse you could even hook your ear! So before you really get started, practice casting with a small piece of brightly colored yarn tied to the end of your leader so you can see where it lands without the risk of injuring yourself or others.
Practice makes progress. Fly casting is hard and takes a ton of trial and error so just keep going and soon it will feel as natural as breathing.
Hope this helped make the wonderful world of fly fishing a bit more accessible. Please post any questions in the comments. IM if you would prefer, I am always happy to help!
-RA
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