The How and Why of Fly Fishing From a Georgia Fly Fishing Guide
A Georgia fly fishing guide takes individuals and groups of people interested in fly fishing to various lakes, rivers and streams and teaches them the best way to become a fly fishing angler. Besides the “how-to” of fly fishing, a fly fishing guide will teach those new to the sport the “why”.
As with all sports, instructions begin with an introduction to the gear or tackle a person will be using while flying fishing. If you have been regular to the sport of fishing before, then you know that casting a fishing pole relies on the weight of the lure to pull the line off the reel. With fly fishing, it’s the fly at the end of a very long line, which weighs basically nothing, that allows one to use their skill to catch a fish.
Many fly fishing experts say your fly must “match the hatch” which means a fly must be indistinguishable from the real airborne creatures buzzing around the waters; your fly must be the same as the real thing in growth, development, be the right type of insect for the weather conditions and level of the flow of stream and time of day you are fishing. Georgia fly fishing guides will explain that the object of casting is to place the fly as naturally and gently as possible next to the fish as if it were a real insect fluttering around on top of the water.
The basics of casting will then be demonstrated after a person is orientated themselves with all the equipment. Timing and technique, properly stroking the rod to arc it, putting energy into the line and then stopping it to unload the line are all signs of good casting. Casting to match your surrounding environment and conditions; Georgia fly fishing anglers rarely fish in the wide open spaces. Beginners start with straight forward casting, then they learn roll casting, curve casting and side casting. Once they have mastered these casts, they move on to more exotic sounding casts like the pantomime cast, the steeple chase, high-stick nymphing, bow and arrow and double spey. The pantomime cast does not require a line or a rod and allows you to improve your stroke when you cannot get to the water.