Fly Fishing for Trout

By Bob Ives

One of the most popular types of fishing in Australia is fly fishing for trout. Australia has many rivers and streams that beg to be fished in this fashion.

Fly fishing is so fun because it requires skill, it’s great for sight fishing, and many anglers love tying their own flies. Inexperienced fishermen often imagine that fly fishing means small trout, but this is far from the truth. You catch very large fish with flies, including trout, salmon, bream and most anything that you can catch with a traditional rod and reel.

Fly Fishing With Trout Flies

Fishing flies come in all colors, shapes, sizes and materials; including everything from feathers to hair. There are flies that are designed to float (dry flies), and those that are designed to be fished below the surface (wet flies). Some resemble bugs (terrestrial flies), some look like bait fish (streamers), some look like insect larvae (nymphs) and some are jointed and make noise. Flies are perfect for trout fishing because the small flies look like the trout's actual forage. It's a good idea to see what kinds of insects are around where you are fishing and use flies that mimic them. [Read tips about flies]

Fly Fishing Rods

Fly fishing rods are usually longer than a normal fishing rod and very light and flexible because you will have to 'whip' the line. A rod size of 3-4 weight would work well for small streams and smaller trout, but for bigger waters and bigger trout, like Browns, you would probably want to go with a 5-6 weight rod with medium action. The most popular length for a fly rod is 9 feet, but some anglers use them as short as 7 feet. The longer rod allows for longer casting distance. [Read tips about fly fishing rods]

Fly Fishing Line

When it comes time to choose the right fly fishing line for your rod, you can check the rod blank or handle of the rod. Most manufacturers put a code which tells you the line size that they recommend for that rod, like 6 line, meaning a 6 weight line. But it's a good idea to try different sizes to fit different fishing situations, and you may even want to use several line sizes on your rod. Some lines are designed to float and some to sink. Some are tapered to improve casting. You will need to determine the right fly line according to the conditions in which you are fishing and the size of the trout you expect to catch. You will also need a leader for the line. A good length for the leader would be around 7 1/2 feet, but are at times used as long as 15 feet. [Read tips about fly fishing line]

Making The Cast

Because a fly is too light to be cast, fly fishing is a method of casting line rather than a lure. Fly line is heavier than other types of fishing lines. The fly fisherman generates energy in the line with a backward and forward whipping motion, and at the same time pulls line out in small increments until enough line is available to reach the desired location. [Read tips about fly fishing casting]

Dress For Success, Stay Quiet And Hidden

The typical theory in trout fishing, or any fishing, is that if you can see the fish, it can see you. Because trout are spooked easily, it’s important that you approach a bank or fishing hole quietly and cautiously, particularly when sight fishing. It also helps to dress to keep yourself camouflaged to match the background and don’t make sudden movements. The older and larger the trout, and the more activity the fishing spot has had, the more they are liable to be onto you and move away from you. [Read tips about better fly fishing]