In my last two columns, I talked briefly about fly rods, fly lines, fly line backing and leaders. I would like to continue that discussion by writing about fly reels, knots and flies. Please keep in mind that I am only presenting a brief overview of these topics.
Fly reels on small streams were just a means of storing the fly line as it wasn’t often a hooked fish was large enough to pull the remaining fly line off the reel and go on a long run. In fact, I don’t recall using backing during the middle of the last century.
There was even an automatic fly reel that, at the push of a lever would wind the fly line in. (I still have one as a topic of discussion, but it has long since been relegated to a show-and-tell position). Currently, there are a large number of reel manufacturing companies offering a variety of fine reels to suit a person’s budget.
My income always kept my reel purchases in an “adequate to do the job” category. What I mean is that as I progressed, I began to fish larger waters and hook larger fish, requiring more backing on my reel to accommodate a long run by a strong fish. When they came on the market, I started purchasing large arbor reels (a reel with a larger width, as shown in the attached photo) to accommodate a minimum of 100 yards of backing along with my fly line.
I also wanted a smooth, readily available, easily adjustable drag and the ability to palm the spool (put a little more pressure on the rim of the spool to slow long runs using the palm of my hand). Even at that, I have had a few larger fish cause me to lift my anchor and chase them as I realized that I still didn’t have enough backing to handle a very lively and strong fish. (I believe the expression these days is hot!).
Reels, like rods, are the choice of the purchaser, based on need and budget. They can be matched to a lighter rod for trout or a heavier rod for fishing salmon; the major difference is the size needed to fit the situation. A lot of manufacturers label their reels to suit a certain line weight, for instance, 5-6 or 7-8. Most sporting goods stores can help people get started in the sport of fly fishing and help determine the best outfit to suit a given individual’s needs.
Regarding knots, I will initially defer a bit to one line manufacturer’s suggestion. For attaching the backing to the fly reel they suggest a double overhand knot with a knot at the end of the line, so when the knot is pulled tight, the line won’t slip through the knot. From the backing to the fly line as well as the leader to the fly line, they recommend using a Nail Knot.
To attach the leader to the tippet, a couple of knots are more than adequate, the Surgeon’s Knot or the Blood Knot. I know when I am using a strike indicator, I connect the leader to the tippet using a barrel swivel incorporating an Improved Clinch Knot at either end of the swivel. My preference for tying the fly to the tippet now is the Non-slip Loop Knot or Surgeon’s Loop Knot.
It allows the fly to swing freely, unencumbered by a tight knot. Because I am limited to the size of my columns, I recommend that readers review the numerous videos online showing simple step-by-step instructions on tying the aforementioned knots. Like anything else, with practice, they will become easier to tie.
Flies are probably a topic for a complete column. The reason I say this is because there are numerous emergences of insects throughout the open water fishing season that generally require identification of the insects and a bit of an understanding of their life history. In addition, there are other organisms found in local lakes that sustain the fish when the other insects are not as readily available, these include leeches, shrimp, and various beetles.
So, after mentioning them, patterns to imitate these can be found at any local sporting outlet selling flies. As for emergences and pre-emergences of chironomids, mayflies, damselflies, dragonflies, and caddis flies (also called sedges), there are nymph and pupae imitations as well as adult patterns. Again, since space here is limited, I encourage readers to go online to learn more about them and their life cycles.
I must concede that very little information dealing with any freshwater invertebrates was available during my budding years of fly fishing and I had to study them in their environment or buy books. Now literally, all this can be found at one’s fingertips.
