Cooking your Catch

Hey,

Went fly fishing the other day and caught a nice rainbow trout. I just want to take the chance to tell you exactly how I cook my catch. You see...the trick is, seen as the fish is so fresh, let the natural flavours shine through and don't over-do it with sauces and spices.

In Italy they often barbeque fresh fish with no extras, just as is from the ocean. They keep it simple. So what I did was fire up the barbeque, place my gutted and cleaned trout on a piece of foil, I squeezed some lemon juice on it, added some fresh herbs and butter. Then I wrapped it up and placed it on the barbie.

Leave it (about 20 minutes for me) and then when it cooked after turning it half way through, serve with your favourite sides - Beautiful!

Latest Fishing Adventure

Hey Folks,

Just got back from a holiday up the Australian coast visiting family. I took my fly rod with me and could only get in about half an hour of salt water fly fishing. Good fun having a cast, but no luck. I had a few nibbles when I aimed at a submerged rock, but other than that it was too windy.

Basically, I learnt two things, I hate wind, although there are strategies to deal with it and secondly, that casting towards obstacles in salt water can find some good fish. - Good Fishing

Introduction to Fly Tying

Fly tying is an enjoyable and noble pursuit which can give you the angler hours of interest and greater satisfaction in catching fish. I personally joined the growing legion of fly makers a few years back and I can tell you, nothing is better than catching a big trout on your own homemade fly!

I personally think that there are three ways to tie flies, follow patterns in books, natural insect examples, or use your imagination. The technique involves tying small pieces of feathers, animal fur and other (perhaps manmade) materials on a hook in order to make it attractive to fish or mimic a insect. You perform this by tying string around the top of the hook with the desired materials attached in a pattern below.

"Fly patterns are considered either "imitations" or "attractors." Imitations seek to deceive fish through the life-like imitation of insects on which the fish may feed. Attractors, which are often brightly colored, seek to draw a strike by arousing a response in the fish unrelated to feeding, or so it is thought. Famous attractors are the Stimulator, Royal Wulff, and Green Weenie flies." as Wikipedia puts it.

Well there is a quick introduction to fly tying, we'll go more into the details later but this should satisfy your interest for now. - Good Fishing

Fly Fishing Destination and Bonus Tip

Decided on the location of my upcoming fly fishing trip, we're going to head to Oak Creek in Wisconsin and target some trout. Should be a great trip, and my tip for the day is on the topic of how to plan a successful fly fishing trip. The tip, PLANNING! Before you leave you should have everything accounted for and know exactly what's going to happen regarding travel, packing and accomodation. When I first started you should have witnessed the anarchy, thing everywhere, delays and barely any fishing.

So plan your trip and it will be a success, until next time, Good Fishing.

Planning My Upcoming Fly Fishing Trip

As I have already noted, I have just arranged some time off work and am planning a fly fishing trip in three weeks time (don't worry, I'll still have internet access and will keep posting!). I thought now might be a good time to note some important considerations for anyone else planning a trip. Here they are:

Choosing a Location - The location you choose depends on a number of factors, the proximity to your home, how far you want to travel, the species you want to chase, the weather, the cost and camping ground availability. Think about the factors above and then do some easy research on the net and you will find your ideal location. I personally like somewhere within 3-4 hours drive of my family with nice weather and good camping facilities. Ask around some buddies and they should suggest some top locations.

Choosing Your Travel Mode - Ideally you’d like to take a car just in case of emergencies and also for the ease it brings. For example, you can drive to a restaurant (should you not catch any fish). Other than that you can choose from train, plane, get a lift, bus and anything else. All you need to do is get together with your friends and discuss what you’d like to do and find the best option. Although driving is by far the best option if it is feasible.

Planning Ahead - The important thing is that you plan ahead, then there should not be any stuff ups and you can get straight into the business of fishing. Make use of lists, get all the information you need and ensure that everything is planned out, and its as simple as that. You just need to have some fun. - With that, Good Fishing!

Saltwater Fly Fishing

I would like to take this opportunity and todays post to discuss a little about the fairly new and burgeoning field of Salt Water Fly Fishing. Obviously, it involves traditional fly fishing except in salt water and it will then require different flies and techniques as well as some equipment to deal with the longer distances being covered. Over time, I plan on giving salt water fly fishing its fair share of the discussion, so hopefully everyone will be happy about that.

I want to introduce you first to the difficulty of salt water over fresh water fly fishing, the vastness of the ocean compared to rovers and lake. It requires much more skill in locating fish and possesses additional challenge to those willing. However, the payoffs are just, catching a genuine sports fish like a trevally or mackerel on a fly rod is absolutely exhilarating.

If you want to learn more about salt water fly fishing, keep reading my blog and I will share all I know, having started the salt water version 9 months ago now, the learning curve is steep. But we'll get through it together! - For Now, Good Fishing

Fly Selection

Fly fishing involves one (among many) vital decisions, the first I will discuss is fly selection. For now I will not go into great depth, but in future we will discuss it further and in more detail.

The time of day, type of river or stream, local insects, target species and lighting of your location is going to decide the fly you choose. Flies can mimic aquatic larva and pupae, fish, eggs, worms, grasshoppers, mice frogs, leeches and so on as well as simulators that are not a specific insect but stimulate the fish to take the hook. Basically, you need to do your research on the area you have chosen, ask questions like; what insects are present? What insects does my target species eat? What insect is best visible at this time of day? Now tailor the fly to your answers to these questions and to the conditions present and you should get some results. If all else fails, ask a local fisherman, nothing beats local expertise!

Well, there's a basic introduction to the world of fly selection, remember to experiment and we will soon explore the topic further! - Good Fishing!

Road Trippin'

Hey,

Just letting you all know that I'm planning my next fly fishing trip. Going to head to my favourite (and secret) spot and target some trout with my new home-made flies.

I'll keep you up to date on how it goes, a bag count and hopefully a few good stories...maybe even give up my secret location (for those who live near me).

Until then, Good Fishing!

Learning to Cast Your Fly

This post deals with how to cast your fly. Once you have selected your location and fly, casting your fly is a fairly simple process, but perfecting it is an art. Perfecting this art is simply a process of practice makes perfect and with some repetition you’ll soon be hitting the sweet spot and landing dinner in no time. Here is your simple step by step guide to casting your fly:

First, hold your rod vertically straight up in the air – this is 12 o’clock, second, bring the rod down and point straight forward – this is 9 o’clock and finally, swing the rod backwards the full 180 degrees and this is what we’ll call 3 o’clock. Now you’re ready to cast:

Step 1: With you chosen arm (I’m right handed) move the rod through a 10 o’clock to 1 o’clock arc pausing briefly at 12 o’clock until the line is straight.

Step 2: Each time the line is extended out behind you feed more line off the reel.

Step 3: Repeat this process until the ideal length is achieved that will hit your target.

Step 4: Finally, when the ideal length is reached, bring the rod back down to 9 o’clock and drop the tip of the rod to the surface of the water. The line should then follow and with any lucky and a lot of practice, it will hit the target and bag a feed.

Follow this four-step process, make sure you practice and soon you will be casting with the best of them. Remember, the closer you get your fly to the action, the more likely you are to bag the fish, which makes casting an essential skill. - Good Fishing

Welcome to Better Fly Fishing

Well, my first post and I'm kind of nervous but I think our common interest of fly fishing will give me the inspiration to get through it. So welcome and I hope you can become and regular reader so we can share our love.

Here at the Better Fly Fishing blog I will share tips and tricks, details of my fly fishing adventures and a wealth of information on fly fishing. I'll go through the basics of casting for beginners, fly tying for more seasoned fisherman and some advance stuff for the pros. Share stories from my fly fishing adventures and hopefully add to your enjoyment of our great sport.

Let me introduce myself, my name is Declan and I have been fly fishing for fifteen years now and enjoyed every single minute. The solitude and relaxation of the wilderness, the challenge of the chase and everything in between.

I hope this post has introduced you to the objective of this blog and encouraged you to become a regular reader, so please visit often and have an input. - Good Fishing