Tyler Omoth - Fly Fishing for Kids

In 2009 fly fisher Brad Bohen landed a record 51.25-inch (130-cm) muskellungefrom the Chippewa River in Wisconsin. Thats more than 4 feet (1.2 m) of the toughestfreshwater fish in the United States!

bonefish

For those who live or travel to the coasts of the United States, fly fishing canbe a fun ocean sport. Many saltwater fly fishers enjoy trying to catch bonefish.Averaging between 3 and 4 pounds (1.4 and 1.8 kg), bonefish put up a great fight.If youre looking to hook a really big saltwater fish, try fishing for tarpon. Afully grown tarpon can weigh up to 200 pounds (91 kg).

saltwater water that has salt in it

Fly fishing gear is as interesting as the sport itself. Choose gear to match thetype of fishing you will be doing. You also should be sure your line, rod, and flieswill work together.

The most important piece of equipment for a fly fisher is the fly line. There areseveral things to consider before you choose your line.

Your lines density determines whether it will sink or float on top of the water.Floating line is the most common for fly fishing because most insects that fish eatfloat. Sinking lines go underwater. Sinking lines are most often used in large bodiesof water, such as lakes. Sink-tip fly line allows only the end portion of the lineto sink. Anglers often use it with nymphs and streamers .

Taper refers to the shape of the line. Fly fishing line gets thicker or thinner atcertain points in the line to create taper. Weight-forward taper adds additionalthickness to the end of the fly line, which makes it heavier. This makes castingyour line easier. Double-taper line is tapered at both ends. It works well for shortcastingin small rivers and streams. Shooting taper line is tapered on one end. It workswell for long, smooth casts. Shooting taper line is a good choice for open watersuch as lakes and for saltwater fly fishing.

nymph a fly that looks like a young form of an insect
streamer a fly that acts likea small fish that bigger fish eat

Even the color of fly line is important. During the day, fish can see all lines nomatter what color the lines are. Choose a color that is easy for you to see whileyou fish. For low-light fishing during the evening or night, a dark gray or brownline will blend in with the water.

Backing line is line you put on your reel before you add fly line. Backing line ismade of a braided material that is strong and flexible. Your reel instructions willtell you how much backing line to use.

A leader is attached to the other end of your fly line. The leader is harder forfish to see than the rest of your line. Without a leader, fish would spook away fromyour fly because of the fishing line connected to it.