When it comes to fishing, a cane pole with a line and a hook attached is probably as simple as it gets. A fly rod, at the other end of the spectrum, is the most complex, at least in my opinion.
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For the fishing enthusiast, fly-fishing provides an activity that challenges their knowledge of equipment, local bugs, seasonal cycles, water conditions, fish species and, above all, their skill of presenting the fly.
In Missouri we are lucky to have such a wide variety of fishing opportunities. If you can’t find satisfaction in lake fishing, stream fishing, float fishing, boat fishing, tight line fishing, trolling, jugging, jigging, limb line fishing, spinning, flipping or gigging, you can always take up fly-fishing.
Fly-fishing is the kind of sport that is good to get started with the help of a seasoned fisherman. Like many activities, there is no limit to the amount of money you can spend on equipment. So, the right advice can get you outfitted cheaper, and with better results.
If you are fully outfitted, your equipment could consist of a rod, reel, line (usually four types on one reel; backing, fly line, leader and tippit), dip net, waders, wading boots, fishing vest (to hold all of your stuff), your typical fishing gear (long nose pliers, stringer, line cutter and knife), plus your flies or lures. Of course you don’t need all of these items to get started, but most experienced fly fishermen have most of them.
You should use your own common sense when getting outfitted. If you are already a fisherman you probably have a good idea of what you need. The bare minimum to get started consists of the rod, reel, line and fly. The rest of the items are to help with the overall experience and can be added over time. To start out, some fly rods come rigged with reels and line attached. You can always customize your gear once you learn more about the sport.
When most people think of fly-fishing they think of fishing in a mountain stream in Colorado or somewhere out west. But what’s great about fly-fishing in Missouri is that it can be done just about any place you normally fish. Whether you are fishing from a boat, wading a creek, floating a river or standing at the edge of a pond, a fly rod works great, sometimes when nothing else will work.
Nearly all people associate fly-fishing with fishing for trout, which is a good method for taking trout, but most fish in Missouri will take flies.
For me, it’s hard to beat the thrill of quietly stalking around my pond and setting a fly in just the right spot and have a fish hit it on the first cast.
Of course there can be a lot of preparation to get to this point or you can use a simple method I have luck with. Instead of knowing the hatching schedule of the millions of bugs we have in Missouri, I just look around and try to spot what’s flying and landing near me. If I see horse flies I pick a large brown fly. If I see spiders or wasps, I pick something as close to them as I can. Of course the more you know the better off you will be when planning your strategy. So, I am not suggesting that research is not a good idea.
One of the next stages of the fly-fishing sport is tying your own flies. This can be a sport in itself. With all of the varieties, colors, sizes and techniques, you could spend a lifetime working on matching flies or working on new designs. This takes more equipment and supplies, which most fly supply shops carry.
For more information on fly-fishing you can find literature at the library or at larger bookstores. Fly-fishing equipment can be purchased at most sporting goods stores. Two maps published by the Missouri Department of Conservation, “Missouri Trout Fishing” and “Discover Outdoor Missouri,” are great resources for places to go fishing and are free for Missouri residents. If you are interested in obtaining a map, go to our website at http://www.MissouriConservation.org.