By Rene Hesse
[dropcap]W[/dropcap]hether you have a bass boat with eight rods, or you’re a small pond fisherman walking the banks with rod in hand, I hope you give fly fishing for bass a chance. Why? It’s a blast!
Please don’t forget that I’m a fisherman that also uses a spinning rod or bait-caster. I know there is a time for these, but I spend 90% of my time with a fly rod in my hand. I may be biased, but that’s because I’ve been doing it for over 40 years, and it’s also the most fun and often the most productive method of fishing.
I wouldn’t ask you to go out and buy a bunch of fly rods, but at least get a decent rod with a good line and give it a try. If the thought of learning sounds difficult, think back to when you were learning to use the bait-caster and how far you have come. It’s often just a matter of having a casting coach for a little while; fly fishing is much easier to learn with coaching from an instructor. Did you get a class at the computer store when you bought that computer? This is a sport, a hobby, an art, and a science. You can’t learn to ride a bike watching a video, and you can’t learn to cast watching a video; you have to do it. You have to feel the bending and unbending of the rod; that is the heart of the cast.
Here is what I really like about fly fishing. First, I see the target; the log, a grass line or rock that you know the fish is waiting under to ambush forage. Then you start the cast by loading the rod against the weight of the line. Sending the line up and back behind me, there is a pause as I wait for the loop of line to unfurl. At that point, I start the forward cast, and as the loop of line comes off the rod tip in the direction of the target, I get to size up the trajectory, distance and pace of the delivery.
Ooops! Too short, too high; I can adjust it by simply making another back cast and correcting. When the fly lands and the fish takes it, you’re setting the hook with the line in your hand and bending the rod to the grip. It’s a blast! As with anything, there are extremes. Fly fishing does not have to be to an extreme; the more proficient you get, the more fun it becomes.
Here’s a recommendation for bass fishermen; use a seven or 8 weight fast action rod with a fly line in a bright color, a seven- and-a-half foot leader (tapered mono) and a large popping bug. For small bass and sunfish, use a five or six weight rod. Sounds like a recipe for a good day, and don’t forget to practice without the fly first.
I hope by writing this article at least one person says, “I can do that.” You have the rest of your lives to play around with fly fishing, so give it a shot.
By Rene Hesse