Fly-Fishing Techniques and Tactics

by Lefty Kreh

• ISBN13: 9781585745050
• ISBN10: 1585745057
• Format: Trade Paper
• Copyright: 2002-07-01
• Publisher: Lyons Press

Summary

There is very little luck involved in successful fly fishing. All anglers can dramatically improve their chances of catching fish if they arm themselves with the fundamentals. In Fly-Fishing Techniques & Tactics, Lefty gives sound, practical, and effective information you can use on your very next fishing trip, no matter where you're going or what species of fish you're after.

Author Biography

Lefty Kreh is an internationally known and respected master in the field of fly fishing. He has taught fly casting and fly-fishing techniques since the 1950s, and he has fished in all fifty states, every province in Canada, Iceland, and much of Europe, South America, and the South Pacific. Lefty is the author of the L.L. Bean Saltwater Fly-Fishing Handbook (page 137), Presenting the Fly (page 140), Fly Fishing in Salt Water (page 135), Saltwater Fly Patterns (page 140), Practical Fishing Knots (with Mark Sosin, page 139), Solving Fly-Casting Problems (page 141), and 101 Fly-Fishing Tips (page 138). He lives in Maryland.

Table of Contents

Introduction	9	(6)
Preparing to Fish	15	(12)
Do Your Site Planning Before You Leave Home	15	(2)
Prepare a Travel Check List	17	(1)
Check Your Tackle	17	(6)
Select and Install Reel Backing	18	(4)
Clean Your Fly Lines	22	(1)
Build Leaders Ahead of Time	22	(1)
Select Flies and Sharpen Hooks	23	(1)
Check Your Auxiliary Gear and Clothing	23	(2)
Carry Polaroid Sunglasses for Sighting Fish	23	(1)
Select Clothing of the Proper Color	23	(2)
Prepare for Your Trip with Mr. Murphy's Law in Mind	25	(1)
Basic Rules for Preparing to Fish	25	(2)
Approaching the Fish	27	(26)
Approach Slowly	27	(2)
Approach Quietly	29	(4)
Approach Lowly	33	(1)
Approach Darkly	34	(1)
Approach Patiently	35	(1)
Plan Your Approach in Advance	36	(10)
Plan Your Direction	36	(2)
Plan Your Position	38	(8)
Tips on Saltwater Approaches	46	(5)
Basic Rules for Approaching Fish	51	(2)
Fly Line, Leader, Tippet and Fly Selection	53	(40)
Fly Line Selection	53	(23)
Presentations with Floating Lines	54	(2)
Presentations with Sinking-Tip Lines	56	(1)
Presentations with Slow-Sinking Lines	57	(1)
Presentations with Fast-Sinking Lines	58	(6)
Presentations with Shooting Heads	64	(10)
The Effect of Fly Line Color on Presentations	74	(2)
Leader Selection	76	(5)
Presentations with Long Leaders	76	(5)
Presentations with Short Leaders	81	(1)
Tippet Selection	81	(6)
Fly Selection	87	(3)
Basic Rules for Selecting Lines, Leaders, Tippets and Flies	90	(3)
Presentation and Retrieving Tactics	93	(32)
Get as Close as You Can	93	(1)
The First Cast is the Most Important	93	(1)
Underwater Flies Need to he Presented Naturally	94	(11)
Learn How Flies and Baitfish Move in Water	105	(5)
Learn the Anatomy and Feeding Behavior of Fish	110	(2)
Pay Attention to Bottom Coloration	112	(1)
Change Your Retrieving Method to Produce Results	113	(2)
Learn Good Rod-Handling Technique	115	(1)
Learn Good Line-Handling Technique	116	(2)
Watch the Fly; Not the Fish	118	(1)
The Major Dry-Fly Presentation Faults	118	(4)
Dressing the Fly Improperly	119	(1)
False Casting Over Fish	119	(1)
Lifting Line form the Water Improperly	120	(2)
Basic Rules for Presentation and Retrieving the Fly	122	(3)
Striking the Fish	125	(8)
Keep Your Rod Tip Low	125	(1)
Don't Strike Too Hard	125	(1)
Use a Strip Strike with Underwater Flies	125	(1)
Use a Slip Strike with Dry Flies	126	(1)
In Some Situations, Striking Forward is Best	127	(1)
Adjust Your Strike for the Type of Water You Are Fishing	128	(1)
Striking Slowly is Best	129	(1)
When Nymph Fishing, Strike Down	129	(1)
On Large and Tough-Mouthed Fish, Strike with the Rod Butt	130	(1)
Basic Rules for Striking the Fish	131	(2)
Fighting the Fish	133	(16)
Use of the Reel's Drag Mechanism	133	(4)
Line Control During the Fight	137	(2)
Pumping and Winding Techniques	139	(4)
Rod Technique During the Fight	143	(3)
Bowing and Dipping Techniques	146	(1)
Basic Rules for Fighting the Fish	147	(2)
Landing and Releasing the Fish	149	(6)
Get the Fish's Head Out of Water	149	(1)
If Possible, Don't Touch the Fish	149	(2)
Netting and Gaffing Fish	151	(1)
Leave Fish in the Water As Much As Possible	152	(1)
Techniques for Lifting Fish	152	(1)
Techniques for Reviving Fish	153	(1)
Techniques for Releasing Fish	154	(1)
Basic Rules for Landing and Releasing the Fish	154	(1)
Index	155