Helpful Hints
On-the-Fly Tips by Dave Whitlock
Submitted by Dougald Scott
Helpful Hints
On-the-Fly Tips by Dave Whitlock
Submitted by Dougald Scott
* Take time to watch what is happening on a stream before charging in. Look for rises, hatches and sips. Check the underside of rocks and logs to best match what the fish are eating.
* An extra rod and reels/spare spools (with different lines on them) are a good idea. You never know when you might accidentally break a rod and need a backup. The spare spools/lines will let you quickly adapt to a wider variety of fishing conditions.
* Know your knots inside and out. You'll be able to change flies, leaders and tippets more quickly, and you'll catch more fish.
* Pinch the barbs on your hooks. A barbless hook makes hooking fish easier, causes less stress if you're planning on releasing them and is much easier to remove if you catch yourself.
* If you're fishing in saltwater, make sure to rinse everything with fresh water afterwards - and wipe your rods and reels dry.