Fly fishing is a challenging sport that can be satisfying on multiple levels. Even though you can learn the basics in a few hours it takes literally years to master all of it's complexities

So what is this sport called fly fishing. Although fly fishing in North America is most commonly associated with trout and salmon fishing, it is effective at catching bass, pike,tarpon and even bluegill.

Fly fishing involves casting a line usually made of a monofilament nylon that is attached to a leader and a fly using a fly rod. The type of line, rod and fly you choose will depend on several factors such as fish species, water conditions and the time of year.

In order to get started you'll need some basic fishing accessories like pliers, knife, first aid kit, lures and a fish net. It's also a good idea to purchase a heavy jacket, gloves and waders . Quite often you'll be fishing in cool water so you need to be prepared.

Also don't forget to bring an extra set of dry clothing. Staying dry can be make all the difference between a pleasant outing and a miserable one.

Along with this standard fishing gear you need fly fishing specific equipment such as a fly rod, and fly fishing flies

Compared to other types of fishing rods, fly rods are typically longer and lighter. Graphite rods are a favorite among many fly fishermen due to light weight and flexibility but cost quite a bit more than fiberglass rods.

Casting is the most fundamental skill to learn in fly fishing. The basic casting action begins by flipping the rod up and backward over the shoulder until the l ine is strait and then sent forward. Continue this back and forth action to create a loop of fishing line

The goal is to generate enough line to reach your target fishing and softly land your fly on the surface of the water. With practice you'll learn to cast your fly rod properly

Once you settle on your fly rod it's time to your delve into your choice of flies. This is one area of fly fishing that challenges even the most experienced anglers. Flies can generally be categorized into dry flies or wet flies based on whether they float on the surface or sink.

Flies are made of natural and manmade materials such as feathers, hair, and plastics. They are then intricately wrapped around a metal hook. To be effective they need to imitate the look of various water insects or land insects.

Most new fly fishing enthusiast start out buying their flies but many venture into making their own. It's quite challenging as it requires skill at choosing the right materials as well as being proficient at knot tying. The avid fly fisherman can have hundreds flies in their tackle box in the hopes having the perfect one when needed.

For the novice, fly fishing can begin with the passion for the outdoors and the desire to break away from a hectic life style. It progresses from being an excuse to wander around in beautiful surroundings to perfecting their fly casting technique and finally mastering the art of making their own flies.

At each stage there are triumphs and failures but in the end nothing beat the satisfaction of landing that big trophy fish.

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