We know what you’re thinking: You already own spinning rods and you already know how spin fish. Now you want to try fly fishing.
So, of the gear and knowledge you already, what applies to your new pursuit?
- First, the bad news
Since fly fishing and spin casting differ greatly, there’s little that translates from spin fishing to fly fishing gear wise.
The rods are different, the reels are different and the ‘lures’ you’ll use to catch fish are different.
- But here’s the good news
By being a spin fisherman, you’re already on your way to being a good fly fisherman.
This is because you already know how to read water, evaluate food sources and effectively fish likely looking areas. Good for you.
You’re already “in the know”
As a spin fisherman, you know which areas hold fish. You also know how to place a cast, like right along the edges of vegetation and woody debris, behind boulders and in the areas where the river bottoms change depth.
These are same places you’ll target when fly fishing. Basically, any place you would throw a spinner or bobber is the same place you want to cast to as a fly fisherman.
The way you work a spin rod through fishy habitat is also knowledge you’ll use when using a fly rod. With a spin rod, you typically start with short casts to avoid missing fish feeding near you. You then work your way out before you move on to a new spot. The same technique works with fly fishing. Start with your casts close then progressively work them out farther and farther.
Techniques that transfer
In fact, all the on-the-water smarts you have from spin fishing will be valuable to you as a fly fisherman. You’ll notice some areas are easier to fish with a spin rod while others lean towards being more effective with a fly. Having the knowledge of both techniques can benefit every angler and can help unravel the mystery of what is occurring under the surface of the water.
That’s because spin fishing and fly fishing share many techniques. For example: swinging a streamer fly down and across a river is the same as casting a spinner across the river and letting the current swing it below you.
Another tactic that transfers over is looking at a piece of water as a grid and covering each portion of the grid so your fly hits every portion of good looking water. Just like you do with spin fishing, take your fly rod, break down the piece of water into sizable chunks and get to work. The only thing that differs is how you cast and what’s tied to the end of your line.
The best way to match the hatch
Another advantage you have as a spin fisherman is you know how to match lures to what fish are feeding on. As a fly fisherman, you’ll do the same thing, but with one big advantage: you’ll have an ability to match the fish’s food source with a more accurate kind of “lure”.
Fly fishing allows you to accurately represent natural food sources without using bait. Just read the water the same way you would with a spin rod in your hands and you’ll be on the right track.
