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Sunday, October 4, 2009

Fly Fishing Equipment: Reels

Your fly fishing reel can be as important as your fly fishing rod. At one time, many people thought of the fly fishing reel as just storage for your line, but it has evolved into so much more. The reel can make a big difference in being able to drag in your fish or failing to do so.

Most fly fishing reels are made of aluminum. When using, the fisherman strips line off the reel with one hand while casting with the other. He (or she) then retrieves the slack line by winding it back up on the reel. The type of reel you use depends on the fish you are trying to catch. Some reels are better suited for larger fish as well as more demanding conditions while on the water.

Your fly fishing reel should have a solid handle that is easy to manipulate. Some reels come with double handles - one on each end of the spinner - that makes it much easier to grab hold of and wind up. Which one you choose is up to you!

The spool holds the fishing line. Attached to the spool on the outside is a small weight called a counter balance. This assures that the reel spins smooth and true without any interference from the rod or the angler. Many spools have exposed rims. This actually serves a very useful purpose when you are struggling with a fish. You can cup your hand on the outside of the room so you can play with the fish and save your tackle if you are using light flies.

The drag on a fly fishing reel creates pressure and prevents the line from free spooling or back lashing. You can have a click drag on your reel which are springs that put pressure against a gear stopping it from moving. These reels are noisy, though, so keep that in mind. Disc drags are either pads or gears that have calipers like brakes on a car. As the pressure on the gear increases, the pad clamps down stopping the drag.

The reel clamps to your fly rod with a "seat" that clamps down on the handle with "feet". All reels are made to the same standard so the seats that are on fly fishing rods with handle all fly fishing reels. So, basically, you can pick out your rod and then choose the reel you want and not have to worry if it will fit your rod.

Choosing your fly fishing reel depends a lot on what type of fishing you will be doing. If fishing for large game fish, you will want one that can handle the pressure of the weight of the fish. If you are just fishing for trout and bass, you will want a standard reel that will make bringing your fish in just a little bit easier.

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Planning a Fly Fishing Trip

So you've decided that it's time for you to take your very first fly fishing trip. You've been practicing your casting and you've got all your flies ready to land a big fish. What do you need to think about when planning this fly fishing trip?

The first thing to decide is where to go. There are many, many excellent places to hone your fly fishing skills at. Some great locations to consider are Washington state, Oregon, Northern California, Texas, and the Great Lakes region. Pick a place that is readily accessible for you and that won't break the bank when it comes time to pay for it.

If adventure is your game, look into taking a Canadian fly fishing trip. Most of the best fishing in Canada can be found in remote mountain lakes and streams with lodges only accessible by air or train. Most of the lodges will offer you trained guides to lead you to the fishing spots and transportation is included in the price of your stay. We've even seen one lodge that will give you use of its cabin and you are left on your own in the wilderness. This can be an amazingly liberating adventure!

Be sure and find a lodge where everything is included in the cost of your stay. This means transportation to and from the fishing spots, guided tours, along with your rooms. Many places have restaurants in their establishments, but you might want to find a cabin with full kitchen facilities where you can cook your own food when you come back from the river or lake.

Fly fishing trips are much more fun when you have a group of people who share your same interests. It's a good idea to join a group who share the interest and try to plan a trip with them. Many organizations plan and launch trips on a regular basis. The friendship and camaraderie you will find can be a wonderful experience.

You can also combine your fly fishing with other things while on a trip. Think about where friends and family live. Can you spend a little time fishing and then, in your downtime, do a little visiting? Is there someplace you've always wanted to visit but never really had a reason why? Try taking a fly fishing trip there.

There are so many beautiful destinations you can go to when you want to take a trip to do some fly fishing. Pick one, plan well, and then just enjoy. You'll be opening up a whole new world to yourself on a trip like this. And, you might just bring home some prized fish as proof of your prowess. Then you can start planning another trip!

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