Darrel Martin - The Fly-Fishers Companion: A Fundamental Guide to Tackle, Casting, Presentation, Aquatic Insects, and the Flies that Imitate Them

Copyright 2014 by Darrel Martin

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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is available on file.

Cover design by Brian Peterson

Cover photo credit: Darrel Martin

Print ISBN: 978-1-62914-408-5

Ebook ISBN: 978-1-62914-952-3

Printed in China

CONTENTS

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

I wish to acknowledge my gratitude to those whose knowledge and generosity have enriched this book. To the various companies and individuals who have generously supported my passion. To Simms Fishing Products, Korkers, and HMH Vises; to the Sage Company for their support and Marc Bale, who keeps fishing my English waters; to Daniel Galhardo and Tenkara USA; to the ever-helpful Tom Rosenbauer and the Orvis Company; to John and Ione Claggett for their friendship and lovely water; to Bill Klyn and Patagonia. And to all my past angling students who still enjoy the bend of the long rod. To Michael, my son, a fishing companion who still tolerates his father. To my wife, Sandra, who knows how much she is part of my life and this book.

INTRODUCTION

T his book grew from a desire to consolidate instructions found in my fly-fishing classes. It is a textbook that includes concise and selective commentary on tackle, casting, tying, and other topics. The word companion derives from one with whom we share our bread. After more than fifty years of fly fishing, I would like to sit at the streamside and share these observations. Here is the knowledge and understanding that I wished I had when I began fly fishing. Some sections are twice-told tales. They come from my decades as Contributing Editor to Fly Rod & Reel magazine, others from my books, especially Fly-Tying Methods (Nick Lyons Books, 1987), Micropatterns (Lyons & Burford, 1994), and The Fly-Fishers Illustrated Dictionary (The Lyons Press, 2000). And much here is entirely new.

There is always the challenge of depicting complex actions of casting with static drawings. I have sought the clearest language and images to explain each topic. The detailed photography and drawing should allow the student to follow each reason and wrap in the tying process. Like all text books, this companion works best with an instructor. Fly-fishing instruction is available from certified teachers, numerous websites, informative videos, and countless books. To the casual observer, fly casting may look like a clock hand arcing through the numbers. However, proper fly casting is controlled and natural. And, once understood, fly casting is remarkably simple.

This companion may serve as a foundation or a supplement for fly-fishing instruction that includes casting, presentation, knots, and fly-tying. It may also be a reminder or reference for the more experienced angler. As a retired educator, I recognize that instructors present material in different ways. Instructors may wish to select only those topics that fit their syllabus while omitting others. These instructions and commentary have produced, in my classes, decades of competent fly fishers. We all learn by image, word, and action. Since the sepia days of Walton and Cotton, fly fishing has been an enthralling sport. And, as this companion hopefully makes clear, there is more to fishing than fish. There is pleasure in learning a skill and doing it well.

The Basic Insects is a brief guide to identifying common aquatic insects. It is only a beginning. Matching the hatch is a traditional method of capturing an insect and selecting a fly pattern to match it. It is direct and simple, requiring minimal insect knowledge. In time, however, most anglers want to know more about the insects that trout consume and that tyers imitate. Insect knowledgewhat they look like, where they live, and how they moveis a fascinating study that often results in greater angling success. When sampling insects, select the most active and prevalent. Check the aquatic plants, the rocks in the water, the leaves on trees, and bushes along the bank. What flies in the air or floats on the water, and what clings to the leaves? It is certain that when you fly fish, you will eventually come to admire a few selected insects. They are, after all, the exquisite charms of fly fishing.

Here are no apologies for historic references. The early anglers were thoughtful and competent. Though they lacked modern equipment, they were skilled in their tackle and their theories. I have illustrated this text with my personal tackle and trim, but there are countless products on the market from which to choose. I further believe that this textbook can be useful to all anglers, no matter their skill or experience. Let these lessons and experiences, which have matured along the banks for more than fifty years, help you enjoy angling with a fly.

THE TACKLE AND TRIM

W ELCOME TO TACKLE AND TRIM. THIS SECTION describes the basic components of fly fishing. It also illustrates the major features of equipment as well as the proper care. There is an immense variety of rods, reels, lines, and vests available for the modern angler. I include information on wading safety, the backing loop connection, protective clothing, wading boots, and other items of interest. In any case, a novice should be well informed before the purchase and use of tackle.

SELECTING THE FLY ROD

An expensive rod does not make you an accomplished caster. Before selecting a rod, take professional casting instruction if possible and cast various rods. Perhaps the first consideration when selecting a basic fly rod is the line weight. The line weight is determined by, to a significant extent, the water fished, the fish sought, and the fly cast. Here are common line weight preferences:

Fly rods are sometimes classified as light weight (05 and smaller), medium-weight (67), heavy weight (89), and big game (10 and larger). What a medium-weight rod is to one angler may be a light- or heavyweight rod to another. There are varied preferences as to what constitutes the proper rod weight and length for a given water or fish. At present, there is a trend toward lighter-weight tackle for larger fish. The most common rod sold in the American West is a 9 5-weight or 6-weight rod. These rods can tolerate moderate winds and launch long lines. It has been said that the 3-weight is the first efficient rod weight. Rods under 3-weight may require more effort for less effect, especially against wind. Having said that, some anglers, such as my adult son, find great pleasure in fishing the ultralightsthe 00- or 000-weight rods. Note the following elements when purchasing a fly rod.