Fly fishing differs from traditional lure fishing in a couple of different ways. First of all, the fly fisherman has a longer, lighter rod and a heavier line. The fly fisherman will use his lines weight to cast his incredibly light weight bait: a hand tied fly, whereas lure fisherman will use the weight of their bait to cast their line.

The fly fisherman will aim to mimic a live bug by slapping their line against the water, causing a commotion on the top of the water and hopefully attracting fish to their realistically made flies. The flies come in a variety of colors and styles, ranging from felt and feather construction designs that look like frogs, minnows, and even shrimp. Additionally, flies come in two varieties: dry and wet. The dry fly, like it states, floats on top of the water and does not tip below the waters surface, while the wet fly will find itself submerged underwater thanks to the fishermens drastic cast.

Fly fishing is a genuine art. It takes time, practice, and skill to make the task look both doable and easy. A fly fisherman will start with his rod in front of him. He will hold a length of string in his free hand, and then swing the road behind him, directly to an angle behind his head. Then he will swing the rod forward to an approximate 45 degree angle, allowing the free line to move forward and slap against the water. As stated before, he hopes that this disturbance will mimic that of a bug on the waters surface and draw his food to his line.

Fly fishermen have a variety of methods and terms for casting. Different types of casts are used for different reasons. For example, a fly fisherman may want to use a false cast to draw a different kind of lazy fish to them.

The right kind of fly will also make a difference to a fisherman. Some fisherman scratch their creative itch by creating their own flies while others rely on the experts to tie them the best kind of fish, egg, worm, or mouse for their fly.

Regardless of how they cast or what they use for a fly or even where they fish, every fly fisherman will cite the incredible benefits of fly fishing with relaxation topping out the list.

Yuki Shoji
http://www.articlesbase.com/sports-and-fitness-articles/recreational-fly-fishing-101512.html

Some people prefer fly fishing as a way of catching these fish, others say using a float is best but in the end its what is best for you. Spinners are also known to work for some so just see what works for you. Some of the flies that are on the market do not seem to resemble any fly or insect at all. This is because to a fish it is not the imitation of a fly that matters it is more just a case of food recognition.

Fishing line that is used also counts as the heavier the line the easier it is for the fish to see the line and put the fish off.Feeding habits also differ from fish to fish as well as the different water temperatures and time of day. There are many different things to take into account when fishing for trout as to whether you have a good day or a bad day. Most people have favourite bait for catching trout and thats fine but if its not working for you do not be afraid to try something a little different. Fish are no different than other things and if you keep feeding on the same thing something a little different might just swing it for you. Be sure to take a variety of bait with you so if one is not working for you, you can try something else. Here are a few ideas to help you in your choice.

Earthworms, spinners, insects, salmon eggs, minnows, crayfish are just a few of the different things I have tried.These fish are very unpredictable and spending a little time practising will make catching these fish a lot easier when faced with what equipment and bait to use on a stretch of water. I hope this information will enable you to go out and be able to have a good days fishing what ever the type of trout you are after and above all enjoy yourself in the process.

jeff ryall
http://www.articlesbase.com/sports-and-fitness-articles/fishing-for-trout-134616.html 

Trout depend on cold water to survive. Our waters are cold, trout flourish in Montana. Brook Trout are the easiest to catch but the most sensitive to water temperature; their population begins to diminish in waters that exceed 68 degrees F., Montana’s other species of trout are comfortable at slightly warmer temps. Many fishermen feel that the wary Brown Trout is the most difficult to catch.

Montana boasts literally thousands of miles of streams and rivers and a generous plethora of lakes. Here in Mineral County we have 53 alpine lakes, however; you can only drive to 3, the remainder are hiking trail accessible only. Nearby Glacier County has 116 lakes. The Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness, north and east of Yellowstone Park has over 400 trout lakes. There is blue ribbon water everywhere, most of it teeming with one or more species of trout.

The top of Triple Divide Peak, where continental divides intersect, is located within Glacier National Park (named for the glacial rivers of ice that crafted its majestic landscape). TD Peak marks the point that gives Montana the distinction of being the only geographic region in the world whose mighty rivers form parts of three major water sheds; Hudson Bay, The Pacific Ocean and The Gulf of Mexico.

In Mineral County, some of Montana’s best fishing holes are to be found. The town of Saint Regis marks the confluence of the St. Regis and Clark Fork Rivers. Here anglers are regularly rewarded with prize winning catches, fish measuring up to 20 inches are commonplace. Overall the fishing on the Clark Fork is excellent, the river has over a thousand fish per mile in many areas. Some of the toughest and strongest trout anywhere are found in these waters. The Clark Fork River is considered one of the most prolific western rivers in the United States.

The Clark Fork River commences at its headwaters in the Silver Bow Mountains near Anaconda, Montana and wanders north and west for over 275 miles through arid flat lands, mountains and valleys. When the Clark Fork crosses into Idaho, it is the largest river in Montana, carrying an average of over 22,000 cubic feet of water per second.

A glorious fall day, honking geese heading south, cool crisp morning air, a dusting of snow on the Bitteroots and trout rising on the river; it doesn’t get any better than this!

Rainbow Trout
(Oncorhynchus mykiss)

Montana’s number one game fish, the Rainbow Trout is a highly prized favorite among trout anglers and fly fishermen. Commencing in 1989, hundreds of millions of rainbow trout have been introduced from hatchery stock to habitat throughout the state. Rainbow Trout have been established in streams, rivers, ponds, lakes and reservoirs. In recent years policy has changed and now Rainbow Trout are primarily introduced only in lakes and reservoirs.

Fish biologist believe that the only Rainbow Trout, actually native to Montana, are those that are found in the Kootenai River drainage.

In connective water systems that allow the trout to migrate, hatchlings will remain in small creeks or streams until they reach 6 to 8 inches and then will venture into the larger rivers and lakes where they gain weight and size before returning to spawn. A 33 pound beauty holds the state record; 10 pound catches are common in the majority of Montana’s alpine lakes.

Treasured for its gameness, beauty and firm pink flesh, Rainbow Trout are an important and valued part of Montana’s eco-system.

Brook Trout
(Salvelinus fontinalis)

Brook Trout are plentiful in mountain streams with gravel bottoms. A good spot to try your luck is in the overhang of trees that provide protection from preying birds and a bit of shade. Brook Trout feed on other small fish, mollusks, crustaceans and insects. Just about any bait or lure that mimics their food source will land a “Brookie”.

A half dozen “Brookies”, dusted with flour and fried in butter over an open campfire, are delightfully tasty. Add some fried potatoes, flip a couple of eggs and you have a Mountain Morning breakfast “fit for a king”.

Brown Trout
(Salmo trutta)

For many an angler, the elusive Brown Trout is hard to catch. The Brown Trout is a lot more wary than other species. Its shy habits help to ensure longevity in streams where other trout have been fished out.

Brown Trout seek areas with plenty of cover. Under log jams, cuts in the bank, overhanging tree cover or rock outcroppings are their favorite hang-outs. As they grow larger, Brown Trout become even more wary. They will often feed at night when darkness offers protection. Although a challenge to capture, the Brown Trout’s succulent flavor is a reward for patience.

Brown Trout normally feed on small minnows, crustaceans, worms and insects. Netting a Brown Trout requires skill, tenacity and a little bit of luck.

Lake Trout
(Salvelinus namaycush)

By far the largest of all trout species, the Lake Trout prefers deep, cold lakes. Also sometimes called Salmon Trout, Makinaw or Great Lakes Trout, they feed on any source of flesh available with their habitat. Eels, smelt and a variety of minnows are all part of the Lake Trout’s diet.

Due to their preference for icy cold waters, the meat of the Lake Trout is rich and flaky, tender and extremely flavorful.

In the early spring, fly fishermen working the lake shallows report success using dry flies. As the weather warms, the Lake Trout move deeper, retreating to colder waters. Summer and fall fishing requires trolling with heavier tackle.

Cutthroat Trout
(Salmo clarki)

Icy mountain streams that eventually drain into the Pacific Ocean are the preferred habitat of Cutthroat Trout. They feed on minnows, worms, crustaceans and a variety of insects. In fast moving water or rapids, fly fishing is the method of choice. Brown Trout can also be taken with grubs, worms or lures.

Most cutthroat fish populations remain in freshwater during their lifespan. These trout populations are known as non-migratory, stream-resident or riverine. Some cutthroat make their home in the Pacific Ocean, returning to freshwater to feed and spawn in the fall, returning to the ocean in the early part of spring. Those that spend most of their time in the ocean can weigh up to 20 pounds. The trout that remain in the freshwater may only get up to 2 pounds.

In 1977 the Blackspotted Cutthroat was named the State Fish of Montana.

Marlene Affeld
http://www.articlesbase.com/sports-and-fitness-articles/trout-fishing-in-montana-a-perfect-day-698593.html

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In fishing, trout are one of the favorite “fishing friends” of most anglers. These crafty fish are abundant anywhere. The native habitat of these crafty fish depends on the type of trout.

For brook trout, the native habitat includes the territory from Labrador westward to the Saskatchewan, while the rainbow trout is a native of the Pacific slope from Alaska to California.

On the other hand, brown trout has found its way into the waters of every state in the United States except Florida, Arkansas, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, North Dakota, Oklahoma, and Texas. It has been reported in the waters of some of these states, but according to conservation officials, no authentic reports have been received. It is also found in many parts of Canada.

In trout fishing, there are some factors that need to be considered in order to have a successful catch.

1. For trout fishing, the leader should not be greased. It will not sink far enough to cause any difficulty when picking the line and lure from the water, but if it is allowed to float; it will cast a shadow on the bottom of the stream which may scare the trout.

2. The trout is one of the fishes that are usually secured through the use of the dry fly. For trout, the current as well as the pools should be fished. It may sometimes be a bit difficult to keep the fly from sinking or dragging because of the various conditions of the current, but this is a matter that the angler will have to figure out for himself.

3. It is not good practice when fishing for trout to fish directly upstream so the flies, line, and leader will float directly over fish. The fisherman should make the cast from one side of the stream so the fly will only float over the fish.

4. It is important to make the first cast the best. A feeding trout will usually strike the first lure presented if it is cast so that it will float over his private domain. The angler should never fail to fish the lower end of the pool first even if the trout are rising in the middle or upper end.

5. Trout are sometimes very moody or selective and will try the patience of any angler; hence, possibly a fly with less hackle will do the trick or it may be necessary to use a spent-wing fly or a fan wing.

Indeed, catching trout fishes can be lots of fun. The anglers just have to remember these tips in order to have a happy catch.

Nicky Pilkington
http://www.articlesbase.com/sports-and-fitness-articles/5-useful-tips-on-trout-fishing-10092.html

Egg fishing flies are highly effective bait for trout and salmon during the fall when fish are swimming upstream and spawning. In fact, during this time of year, fresh eggs of their own kind make up a large portion of trout or salmon’s diet. With so many fish swimming up stream during spawning season and so many nutritious eggs floating downstream, fly fishing with these can make for a bountiful trip.

A look under water:
While trout and salmon lay their eggs upstream in mostly-safe spawning beds, plenty of eggs are jarred loose and lost to the current. These loose eggs float downstream and into the waiting mouths of fish positioned downstream. The fish are naturally attracted to the eggs of their own species, which contain a rich variety essential nutrients and proteins.

The eggs of spawning fish, and consequently egg fishing flies, come in a variety of sizes and colors. Choose yellowish orange for Rainbow Trout, Steelhead, Coho Salmon, and Chinook. Bright orange quarter inch egg flies are better suited for Brown Trout. Be sure to also carry some white or off-white in your tackle box to mirror the color of the many unfertilized eggs that don’t take on a color.

Casting:
Since eggs have no movement of their own, they must be cast for dead drifting downstream. Egg fishing flies should be cast far enough upstream from your target that the fly has time to settle on the bottom. Since these fishing flies are bottom drifters, they are prone to catching and sticking on plants and rocks on the river bottom, so be sure to pack lots of extra fishing flies.

The bright color of these fishing flies aid in the detection of a bite when the water is somewhat clear. In murky or deep waters, a strike indicator is necessary to determine a take. When using an indicator, you’ll need to watch very carefully and strike just when fish subtly suck in the egg fishing flies.

Tackle and Line:
When fishing with egg flies, just about any standard rod or reel will do. An 8.5 to 9 foot rod and floating line is ideal for most waters while heavier rods can be used when facing big, hard-fighting fish. For maximum effectiveness, it’s important for egg fishing flies to sink rapidly. In thick or fast moving waters, applying a little dish soap to the line can help the egg to slide to the bottom quickly.

The ideal time for fishing with egg fishing flies is right around the corner. The months of August through December are when salmon and trout are laying their eggs in the cool waters. So while you may employ your bug fishing fly for the majority of the year, the fall and winter months give you the opportunity to add a new weapon to your arsenal.

Christine Harrell
http://www.articlesbase.com/sports-and-fitness-articles/fly-fishing-with-egg-fishing-flies-52955.html

There are thousands of live-bait anglers, who are excellent sportsmen, but the fly fisherman can practice better conservation from the beginning.

Basically, fly fishing is not only one of the fastest growing sports; it is one of the foremost forms of conserving natural resources as well as providing aquatic recreation.

Fly fishing is, very simple when three things are right: you must have a suitable rod; you must get a line to match it; and you must learn correct casting technique.

For people who wish to know some tips on fly fishing, here is a list of some pointers that could help anglers harness their fly fishing skills:

1. Material of the rod

For one of moderate means, and especially for the beginners, hollow glass is advised since it will require less care than bamboo and will not take a set if improperly handled or stored.

2. Line

Your fly casting skill will not progress with a mismatched rod and line. About 99 times in 100, the troubled fly caster has a line much too light to bring out the action of his rod.

That is why it is important to know that on any given rod, the fly fisherman should use the same size line for anything from small trout and bluegills up to the largest sea fish.

In choosing the size line, anglers should get a C level, an HCH double-taper, or a GBF three-diameter. This choice is based on the fact that a high percentage of fly rods bought nowadays are hollow glass, and that a great majority of these works best with lines of those sizes, almost regardless of lengths or weights.

3. The correct casting technique

In casting, it is important to get about 20 feet of line out front. Anglers should always remember to cast a straight line. Avoid jerky movements even if it is on a faster mode in order to do so.

Best of all, the angler should be relaxed because taunt muscles will ruin his casting.

Boiled down, there should be no reason why you should not learn the fundamental principles just as easily as those who now enjoy fly fishing.

Probably, the best and surest way to learn to cast successfully is to spend a day on the stream with some fisherman who is a competent caster.

Lessons learned on the stream are the best tips you can acquire anywhere in your quest for learning fly fishing.

Nicky Pilkington
http://www.articlesbase.com/sports-and-fitness-articles/tips-on-fly-fishing-10110.html