Try Fly Fishing for Bass...

Streams are heating up in many locations, and the trout are hunkering down looking for cooler water and some oxygen. During the summer months, why not rest the trout and try your hand at some bass fishing, bass fly fishing, that is!

Fly Fishing for large-mouth bass, especially when they are surface feeding, can be full of excitement and adrenaline rushes.

Use a deer hair popper - a frog, a mouse, something like that - cast it with a wide loop cast, and let the fly really splat down on the water - rest it for a second or two or three (and let those rings telegraph out) - then plop it once or twice, a really big bass has a hard time ignoring this type of behavior, and will likely pounce on the fly!

Another technique is using the same popper as a "slider", just retrieve the fly very slowly and steadily, creating a small wake behind the fly. Many a large-mouth cannot resist this, and may take multiple swipes at the fly before finally engulfing it!

Subsurface fishing can be just as productive. Try a large black Wooly Bugger, retrieved steadily.

I can remember one of my favorite evenings on the water, on the lake in a canoe, a few cold ones, and a lantern to find the way back. Caught bass one after the other (none too big), until it was pitch black night.


Technorati Tags: fly fishing, flyfishing, fly-fishing, fly+fishing, angler, bass

Tying the Clinch Knot

Use this knot to tie on a fly. It's easy to learn, I've shot this video from knot tyers perspective, so that you'll be able to pause and play the video as you practice along with it...

Fly Fishing Factoid #1: Flies - keep it simple.

For beginners, selecting the proper fly can be a headache. I like to keep things simple - but effective!

In freshwater (species: trout, bass - smallies and large-mouth, pan fish) use one of these two flies:

1. Adams Parachute (size 14)
2. Woolly Bugger, Olive (size 12)

The Adams is a dry fly (floats atop the water) that is tied to a specific recipe, there is no color selection - all Adams have a grayish body, with brownish tails. For trout, the Adams is often deadly - it is the go to fly for many experienced fly fishers, so why not start off with it. Simple.

So it is with the Olive Woolly Bugger. Fished sub-surface, the Woolly Bugger is a great fly for all freshwater species. Bass in particular love this fly for its action under the surface, but I've caught trout and pan fish on this fly as well. Many experienced fly anglers will agree that this is another great fly to use.

In saltwater (species: striped bass, bluefish, weakfish, spotted trout, ladyfish, redfish, bonefish) try both of these flies:

1. Lefty's Deceiver (all white - size 1/0)
2. Clouser Minnow (chartreuse/white - size 0)

These flies imitate the baitfish that saltwater species feed on. Lefty's Deceiver can be tied in a variety of styles and is widely available. It is my favorite Striper fly. All of the species I've mentioned will take a Lefty's Deceiver.

The Clouser Minnow is effective due to it's jigging type action in the water, and it's imitative qualities as well. I remember hearing the designer of the fly, Bob Clouser, had caught over 27 species on his amazing fly! Try it - simple.

These are the flies that I recommend in our free online fly fishing lessons, why not let us know about your "can't miss" fly! You can do that by commenting below...


Technorati Tags: fly fishing, fly-fishing

A Beginner's Fly Fishing Outfit at a Fair Price

The major thrust behind the founding of AnglerUniversity.com is the lack of websites/flyshops that specialize in beginner's gear. With the overabundance of makes/models of fly rods and reels, beginners are often confused and frustrated - sometimes deciding that the sport itself is too complicated.

From the very start Angler University decided to devote our website to those flyfishers that are just getting started - and you know who you are! Maybe you just broke that $25 ***Mart rod that you thought would get you looking like Brad Pitt in "A River Runs Through It". Perhaps you are just toying with the idea of trying out the sport. Whichever angle you may come at this sport, fly fishing should be enjoyable and easily learned. This is not rocket science - it's fishing!

So take a look at some online lessons which were developed to be quickly absorbed, and take a look at some gear which is certainly a step above the "mart" store variety, and yet is affordable enough for the beginner to get into fly fishing with QUALITY gear at fair prices.

Technorati Tags: fly fishing, fly-fishing, angler, knots

Fly Fishing, How do I Love Thee, Let Me Count the Ways

Fly Fishing,



1. I love thee for your....



Oops, here comes the wife, and if push comes to shove, I have to admit, I love her more - so off I go - no more blogging on Valentines Day!!!





Technorati Tags: fly fishing, fly-fishing, angler, valentines day

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Freshwater Flies, For Starters

If you're just starting out in fly fishing, the last thing you need is a dissertation on insect entomology!

Why not try these two tried & true flies - learn to fish them, and then later expand your fly universe. The Adams the Wooly Bugger are two of the most versatile flies in any fly fishers vest - but especially for beginners. They both imitate a wide variety of fish food (natural insects, baitfish), and are both designed to catch fish.


1. Adams (Parachute Style, size 14) (above right)

Try a parachute Adams whenever you see fish sipping flies on the water's surface. You'll see rings on the water when fish feed this way. You can confidently cast this fly to trout, bass and panfish. The parachute tie makes this fly easily visible on the surface - even in low light. Keep your eye on the fly, and when you see the rise, gently lift the rod tip to hook up.

2. Wooly Bugger (Olive, size 12) (above left)

The Wooly Bugger is a sub-surface fly or wet fly. Fish it when you don't see fish rising, or when your Adams isn't working. You'll want to get this fly down to the bottom - so cast quartering upstream and let it sink as your line travels downstream - let out some line if you have to, and them let the fly travel downstream - let it swing at the end of its run. Use a strike indicator to determine strikes - and don't be terribly surprised if a fish hits the fly on the swing. If you're fishing a lake or pond, cast your line and fly out, let it sink, then slowly retrieve the line with very small strips to hook up to bass ad panfish.

These two flies can be found in the fly boxes of the world's best fly fishers - why wouldn't you want to start fly fishing with them?

Technorati Tags: fly fishing, fly-fishing, angler, flies, fishing flies

The 2 Knots you really need to know to Fly Fish

There are really only 2 knots that you need to know to get out there and fly fish. Sure, you will want to learn others along the way, but to just get up and go there are only two.



1. The Improved Clinch Knot (to tie on your fly)

2. The Blood Knot (to add tippet to your leader)


Tying on a fly makes sense (Improved Clinch Knot) - but adding tippet to a leader - what in the world does that mean???

You will change flies often for a variety of reasons - you may lose one (it gets tangled in a tree), or you want to switch because you feel your fly isn't working. Whatever the reason, the terminal leader material (tippet) gets used up - say 2 - 3 inches for every fly change.

After several fly changes, your leader shortens from a 7 or 9 foot length to a 6 or 8 foot length - and this will affect the way that your fly hits the water in the way the leader "turns over". So you'll add tippet - and you'll use the Blood Knot to do it.

Here are the links to a couple of short videos that will teach you the knots. Online video is great - you can get out your practice materials, sit in front of the computer - start practicing your knots - pause and play the video as necessary - and voila, you've learned to tie your knots in no time!

Improved Clinch Knot Video (Flash based - must have Flash installed)

Blood Knot (also Flash based)

Happy knot-tying, drop me an email if you have any questions

joninc@AnglerUniversity.com



Technorati Tags: fly fishing, fly-fishing, angler, knots

Top 10 Fly Fishing Myths

1. Fly Fishing is difficult

Fly casting can take a few practice sessions to become proficient enough to hit the water - but that's all it will take. We recommend taking a look at some online fly fishing lessons - then practicing in a park, your backyard or another private place. Hit a lake or pond, where you won't find many obstructions behind you to get in the way. Catch a few panfish, learn to land fish - now you're ready for the stream, ocean or wherever you'd like to fly fish!


2. Fly Fishing is expensive

It simply is not. Fly fishing can be expensive if you spend a lot of your hard earned mullah on premier, top of the line (dare we say - overpriced?) fly gear. We do not recommend going bottom of the line either....

The Outdoor Wire: Hunting, Fishing and Conservation Groups Urge Strengthening of Conservation Tax Incentives

The Outdoor Wire: Hunting, Fishing and Conservation Groups Urge Strengthening of Conservation Tax Incentives

Nineteen of the country's leading hunting, fishing, and conservation groups delivered a letter to Congress expressing their strong support for conservation tax incentives and a provision currently under consideration in the tax bill reconciliation process.

Couple Shares Love of Fishing in Wedding

ABC News: Couple Shares Love of Fishing in Wedding

BRETHREN, Mich. Apr 1, 2006 (AP)— A couple brought together by a passion for fishing was married at the Tippy Dam boat ramp, with family members observing the ceremony from a dock rather than church pews.

William Nickel read a short poem Friday before asking Vickie Wright to join him in the water during their wedding ceremony, the News Advocate of Manistee reported. They were dressed in fly fishing gear, with white flowers attached to their vests.

Fly Fishing is Only a Short Train Ride From NYC's Penn Station

PR Newswire, Fly Fishing from NYC by Train

Attention all New York City dwelling/working anglers and would be anglers!

Here's an easy way to get to the Catskills to fly fish. Not only is this the WAY to go, it's also the WHO to go with - Catskill guide Joe DeMalderis will bring you on a delightful trip you'll not soon forget.

Fish Hook Makes Forbes' List of Top 20 Tools of All Time

Forbes magazine has compiled a list of The 20 Most Important Tools Ever, and has inlcuded the fish hook as one of the twenty!

Who could have guessed that our favorite fly box item would have made this impressive list? Well, any fisherman/woman could have!

It's all about the Grip

Here's the proper fly rod grip. Place your thumb on top of the grip, then wrap your remaining fingers around the cork. Do not put your index finger on the top of the handle, this will not help your aim or casting ability.

Practice casting with this grip from the very beginning. Your aim will improve, and you'll have much more power for longer casts.

Another tip: don't bend your wrist when casting - Lock It!

Have you done it yet?

Want to try fly fishing? Take the leap!

Fly fishing is easy and enjoyable, and with the right advice, you'll be out there in no time.

Check out some online instruction that is basic, simple and clear. Animations, short video, and photos - just enough to get you started.

Let me know if you've "Done It Yet!" - John