Fishing Q&A
Fly Fishing?
im thinking of starting fly fishing and trying to find a fly rod and reel and line but i dnt get the launguage they are speaking like what the hell is FW+EH handel and AFTM #2/3 and whats backing line?
Public Comments
- Not sure about the first one, but the others...... AFTM = American Fishing Tackle Manufacturer's association The number proceeding this is a weight rating system created many years ago, in order to make it easier to match up flyfishing Rods / Flylines, etc... e.g. so not using one too heavy for the rod + so you're using the right size for the job. The recommended all-round size rating for beginners is a 9ft Flyrod rated at AFTM 5/6 Backing line is, a length of line (looks kinda like Braid or Dacron on mine), is a special type of line used I think partly to pack out the line on the reel, but largely to give you some extra line to spare + I think act as a kind of shock absorber when you get a big fish take off alot of line. On a fly fishing set-up, your lines are usually set up like this: First there's the backing line, which I've just explained...... this is attached to the drum of the fly reel..... it should state in the reel's specifications how much you need on.... usually about 25-75metres. Next there is your flyline, which kinda looks a bit like washingline, and is what gives you all your casting weight, seeing as all you have at the end of your line is one or more hooks tarted up to look like an insect. Finally there is the LEADER...... which is made from regular monofilament fishing line (though some people use flurocarbon line as an alternative), and is used to tie your flies onto, with the flyline being too thick and rather obvious looking....... the leader attaches to the flyline via a loop at the end of it. A good book that should help you further is JOHN BAILEY'S COMPLETE GUIDE TO FLYFISHING (ISBN 1-84330-566-6)
- Hi this is john, from the Yukon...! I speak fly fishing.... to answer your question F W ( weight Forward) E H is just a style of handle. aftm is a standard that manufactures follow, Go to your local book store and buy yourself a copy of Fly fishing for dummies it will explain all the basics you'll need to get started. for other books try this web site : www.amatobooks.com there are hundreds of books on the subject to choose from. Backing is Dacron line that comes in 20 to 30 lb test and is made by scientific Angler. As well as they also make the best fly lines on the market, they have a special line called HEAD START for beginers like you, before you buy a fly rod do your home work...! it is very important, ask your self questions like, what will I mainly fish for ? For example I have two fly rods one is a 5-6 weight I use for Artic grayling and other small fish. my second is a 8 wt I use for large game fish like northern pike and salmon when I go to alaska to fish... Good luck and tight lines...
- The guys who have already answered explain all that stuff. My 2 cents is that you should try a fairly cheep first fly rod. I bought one of the beginer kits at Gander mtn. But even Walmart carries them. The reason I say this is that Fly fishing is not for everyone. My cousin and I both bought $20 rods and tried them out a few times. His has been sitting in the bottom of the trunk of his car for almost 2 yrs now and I have been upgrading all of my equipment in that time. He just didn't get into it. I now have a few hundred invested, He has spent his money on spin rods. Just a thought.
