I’m going to take a class in fly fishing in a couple of weeks. It’s something I’ve always wanted to try. Is it hard to learn? I predict I’ll either be bored out of my mind in half an hour or instantly hooked and planning my next trip. Anyone here fly fish?
You’ll be fishing in no time, but there is a ton to learn. That is the appeal for a lot of people, and why they’re really drawn into the sport. There’s also tying, which can a be a lot of fun.
Have a blast. I doubt you’ll be bored.
It’s knowing what fly to use, and just general “where are the fish likely to be at this time of day, and this time of year, with the water level like it is” that takes a lifetime to learn.
Yes, it’s a lot of that. However, there is a lot to rod work and casting technique that can be improved/learned over time.
Thanks all, is it the kind of thing that I can learn on my own after the one class, or would I need further instruction before I know enough?
It’s like golf - you can learn the rules and techniques in a day, and spend a lifetime trying to perfect them.
it’s not hard, the fish do it instinctively.
I’d recommend finding people to fish with, if possible. Certainly take as many classes as you’d like, though. There are often weekend schools that you can attend.
Easy to start, always something more to learn.
You can certainly be having fun - and catching fish - in your first hour. But it’s also one of those “takes a lifetime to master” activities.
It’s a treat to go out with someone who’s really good at it. My instructor was a friend who’s been fly fishing regularly since age 3. When you see him working a tricky stream you know you’re watching an artist.
Easier than goddamn baitcasting, no? I didn’t get too far in either.
The mechanics of casting are something you can practice on your own. Get yourself a bucket, or a towel folded in half to use as a target. Practice until you can reliably place your fly on target from a variety of ranges and angles. You probably want to blunt or remove the hook from a practice fly. And do wear at least sunglasses as eye protection.
Fishing strategy has some generally applicable basics, and many local variations. In my part of the world, fly fishing isn’t common…but people do catch a lot of fish with a fly rod and a popping bug–which is a small, brightly colored bit of cork with whiskers/feathers/etc and a small hook attached. I’ve caught a lot of fish with a modification called a “bream killer”–a popping bug with a wet fly tied to the hook with about 12-18 inches of leader. If fish won’t rise to hit the popping bug, they’ll hit the wet fly. Sometimes, I’ll catch two fish at once with this little trick.
That’s a really fun technique for beginners, since the dry fly acts as an indicator. (Not to say it’s only for beginners. We fish with two flies all the time.)
Fly fishing is so easy to ‘learn’ that I question why you’d even need to take a class.
On the other hand, it does represent a pretty good example of “Easy to learn, difficult to master” which is sortof the point, but the road to mastery is unlikely to be much assisted by a class either.
I totally disagree. A casting lesson and time spent discussing various flies, conditions, fish, etc. is well worth the money.
Where are you located and what do you expect to be fishing for? There is a fair amount of difference in techniques/skills used depending on whether you are fishing free-stone mountain streams for wild trout, tail-water rivers for stocked fish, spring creeks for finicky/spooky trout, saltwater flats for bonefish/reds/permit, or warm-water lakes & ponds for bass/pan-fish/muskies etc.
I would suggest that you hire a guide familiar with the type of water/fish you would plan to be targetting, if you can afford it. Yes, you can go the self-taught route and eventually get to where you are catching fish, but the learning curve can be pretty steep and possibly frustrating. Fishing with other experienced/knowledgeable people can GREATLY speed things along. There really is a lot more to it all than just learning how to cast.
ETA - How difficult it is to learn can also depend on how much experience you have with other forms of fishing. Having to first unlearn “regular” casting techniques can make it more difficult to get your timing/stroke figured out using the fly rod. On the other hand, already knowing where the fish are likely to be can be a big help.
So a mod moved this to the Game room without a “game and tackle” joke? For shame!