The 4 Main Types of Fly Fishing Rods
When it comes to fly fishing, many people assume that there is no comparison between the two. However, there is a world of difference between the two methods of fishing. The only true similarity between fly fishing and spin fishing, other than the fact that you’re still catching fish, is that both can be done from just about anywhere. This of course is where the comparisons end. They do exist, though, and in this post, I won’t be sharing opinions on which is best than the other, but instead, I’ll discuss the differences between fly fishing with a fly rod vs fishing with a spinning rod.
First, there’s the weight. Spinning rods, traditionally speaking, are heavier than fly fishing rods. In fact, they’re roughly the same weight when the line is the first cast into the water. The reason for this is simple. Spinning rods have to keep their balance at all times while they are spinning, which requires the rod to be heavy. That said, a spinning rod doesn’t always feel heavy.
When fly fishing, generally the weight of the line and the weight of the reel are more or less constant. The line is heavier because the weight of the fish you’re trying to catch needs to be able to be supported by something, which generally means that the rod needs to be heavier. This isn’t always the case in river fishing, though, which requires a different method of casting.
Fly fishing with nymphs is the method used in trout and salmon fly fishing, but it can also be used with dry flies as well. Nymphs are fish-sized insects tied to a thin line, much like how wet flies are tied. Although these insects look very similar to insects that would be thrown in the air, nymphs are actually very strong and durable, which allows them to withstand the stresses placed on them by rapids and currents. Fly fishermen typically tie these to leaders placed above the nymphs in order to control the speed of the insect’s movement.
Nymphs don’t support their weight by anything substantial, so they tend to float. When a fly fisherman casts a fly fishing lure onto a riverbank, he wants his target to land where he casts. If the river current is wavy, the fish may not always land in the same spot where you intend, but if you have nymphs, you can force them to go where you want them to. As long as the insects are strong enough to float, they can provide you with a live fish that will fit perfectly into your planned fly fishing scheme.
Artificial fly fishing works well in more “traditional” style rivers and streams. Streams, on the other hand, offer some stiffer competition for fly fishing. They are also generally wider and less constrained than a larger river, which means that larger and/or faster fish will generally stay close to the edges and escape your line. Smaller fish that are present in the stream will react to your artificial lure by attempting to swallow your fly fishing lure or by biting it. Either way, you need to keep your fly fishing lure as still as possible in order to get your fish to the stream.
The final type of fly fishing that we will discuss involves casting lines into the water without a fly fishing reel or fly fishing rod at all. Here, the fish do most of their feeding on natural bait. Fly fishing enthusiasts love this type of fishing because it is cheaper, more fun, and requires very little specialized gear.
This type of fly fishing works best in clear streams and shallow pools. One method that many experienced fly fishermen use involves using a forward cast instead of a back cast. With a forward cast, the angler casts from further away so that he or she can target bigger fish with stronger bites. Casting from further away allows the angler to create more distance between themselves and the fish they are fishing. A backcast, on the other hand, uses a back cast to cast past the fish rather than casting straight ahead. Back casts usually have weaker, shorter casts and require that the angler use a fly fishing rod with a larger grip.
