Putting line onto a reel, river fly choice, Rod weight and the difference between wet flies and emergers.

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Fly fishing questions page 18.

Questions can be about any aspect of fly fishing, fly casting, casting instruction, fishing in Scotland or abroad, fly fishing courses, fishing flies, etc. The following is just a random selection of questions that have been send by readers and answered by Ally. If you have a question that you wish to ask please do not hesitate to complete the form.

Questions:

Line onto reel
River fly choice
Rod weight
Wet flies & emergers

River fly choice

Question: I am about to fish the River Glass above Fasnakyle for trout and was wondering what fly patterns work and the best way of fishing the water (sinking v floating casts etc)?

Answer: I know that you will be able to catch fish with Czech nymphs and the like and you may also be able to catch them with small sparsely dressed olive, red and black spiders but I choose to fish the way that I like to fish which is with dry flies. CDC patterns, Klinkhamers, parachute Olives and Adams and caddis patterns such as Balloon Caddis, CDC and Elk, Elk Hair Caddis and the likes would be my initial thoughts for the likes of the Glass which incidentally has some lovely trout in it from time to time. I expect evenings will be best but fishing rough water with a large Comparadun often works during the day on other rivers so that that might work there too.

Wet flies & emergers
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Question: What is the difference between a wet fly and an emerger fly?

Answer: A wet fly is made to be fished under the surface and may be intended to represent any of the many types of food that fish find there. An emerger represents that crucial stage in an insect's life as it transforms from an aquatic life to an aerial life when it is helpless, in the surface film and easy prey for fish. Although this is usually quite a short time period fish take advantage of such opportunities with relish. Emergers are "dry" flies that represent this life cycle; stage part of the fly is above the surface and part below. Parachute patterns, Kilinkhamers, and many of the CDC winged flies are typical.

Rod weight
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Question: I've just inherited two fly rods.  Specs on the rods indicate an oz (ounces?), such as 3 1/8 oz or 2 3/4 oz.  What does this specification refer to?

Answer: I'm assuming that these are light fly rods. These numbers normally suggest the weight of the rod but often it is not the true weight but rather just the weight of the blanks. There is no standard for defining the weight of a rod and rod ratings are really just "in the maker's opinion" rather than by a measured test. As far as I know Orvis is the only company who attempt to give rods a flex rating description.

Putting ine onto a reel
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Question: How do you install a new fly line to a reel so it lays straight on the water without it curling up?

Answer: You must wind the fly line off its spool or if it does not have a spool by carefully rotating the coils to ensure that it does not get twisted. A rolled up magazine through the middle of the coils can help with this task. Assuming that it has been correctly wound onto the reel without any twists, if the line is still coiling when it is taken off the reel try stretching it between your hands 4 feet or so at a time. Some lines have "reel memory" and you need to do this before fishing with the part of the line you intend to cast. If despite your efforts the line retains its coils it is probably faulty so take it back to the shop and ask for your money back!

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Copyright 2007 Alastair Gowans AAPGAI and FFF Master and THCI, APGAI. All rights reserved.