A Little History                                                                                        

Fly fishing for trout has a history that spans centuries and multiple continents. Fly fishing can be traced back to ancient civilizations, early anglers used crude versions of flies and rods to catch fish. But, it wasn't until the Middle Ages that fly fishing started to resemble the sport we know today. The middle ages, European anglers started experimenting with different types of flies, they would use feathers and fur to imitate the natural insects trout feed on. They began to  develop better and more sophisticated rods and lines, this allowed them to cast the flies further with greater accuracy. This eventually led to the creation of the modern fly fishing rod and reel, that we still in use today.

Fly fishing for trout changed gears and took off in the 19th century, with the Industrial Revolution it brought about new technological advances making it easy and affordable for people to take up fly fishing. As population increased allowed for an increase in leisure time, and fly fishing became a popular pastime among the upper classes. At this time fly fishing clubs and associations were starting to be created. In the mid-19th century, fly fishing for trout in the United States was launched. It quickly gained popularity on the east coast, especially around the Adirondack region of New York. The first American fly fishing book, "The Book of Trout" was published in 1864 by James A. Henshall. He suggested the idea of using dry flies to copy the adult stage of insects that trout were feeding on, to entice fish to bite. This transformed fly fishing and is still being used today.

Then came the 20th century implementing a further expansion of the sport, as fly fishing for trout became more popular in Western states like Montana and Colorado. This because of the endeavors of anglers and conservationists like Theodore Gordon and Ernest Schwiebert, who labored to preserve and protect trout habitat and other native fish species. As technology has increased so has fly fishing for trout with new materials, equipment, and techniques. With the new synthetic materials like foam, rubber, and silicone there are now opportunities to create more realistic and durable fly patterns. Advances in fly fishing technology have allowed for the production of better-designed rods and reels, making it easier for anglers to cast accurately and effectively.

Even with all of these advances, the basic principles of fly fishing for trout remain the same: “imitate the natural food sources of the trout and to present the fly in a natural and convincing way.” This is why fly fishing for trout is still a challenging and rewarding sport, year after year it still continues to attract anglers of all levels of experience and skill.

Trout the Differences                                                                            

Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss): this is one of the most widely dispersed and popular species of trout. They are native to the Pacific coast of North America, and have been introduced to many other parts of the world, like Europe, South America, and Africa. Rainbow trout are recognized by their vibrant color,, which depending where they are located range from silver to gold, with a red stripe along the lateral line. They will also be identified by the black spots on their body and fins. Rainbow trout, an opportunistic feeder, will eat a variety of aquatic insects, crustaceans, and small fish. Rainbow Trout are highly sought after for their fighting ability and delicious taste.

Brown Trout (Salmo trutta): another species of trout found in many parts of the world, namely Europe, North America, and South Africa. Brown trout, known for dark, mottled coloration, in a range from light brown to dark brown, having black spots on their body and fins. They are identified by their large mouths and sharp teeth. Brown trout, an aggressive predator, will eat a variety of aquatic insects, crustaceans, and small fish. Brown Trout are also highly sought after for their fighting ability and delicious taste.

Brook Trout (Salvelinus fontinalis): is a family of trout native to North America and Canada. Also known as the Eastern Brook Trout, Speckled Trout, or Squaretail. Known for their distinctive coloration, that ranges from dark green to light green, and often features red spots on their body and fins. Recognized by the white margin on their fins. If given the chance Brook trout will eat a variety of insects, crustaceans, and small fish. Brook Trout are also highly sought after for their fighting ability and delicious taste.

Cutthroat Trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii): this species of trout is native to the western United States, Canada, and Mexico. The main difference between a Cutthroat trout and a Rainbow trout is the orange slash on the underside of their jaw. Like Rainbow trout they are also known for their beautiful coloration, which can range from silver to gold with black spots on their body and fins. Cutthroat trout, an opportunistic feeder, will eat a variety of aquatic insects, crustaceans, and small fish. Cutthroat Trout are highly sought after for their fighting ability and delicious taste.

Golden Trout (Oncorhynchus aguabonita): native to Californian. Known for its striking coloration, that ranges in a color from bright orange to deep red. They also have black spots on their body and fins. Golden trout, an opportunistic feeder, will eat a variety of aquatic insects, crustaceans, and small fish. Golden Trout are highly sought after for their fighting ability and delicious taste.

Bull Trout (Salvelinus confluentus): native to the western United States and Canada. They are known for being large in size with aggressive tendencies. Bull trout are dark, with a mottled coloration, ranging from light brown to dark brown, they have black spots on their body and fins. An aggressive predator that will eat many different  insects, crustaceans, and small fish given the opportunity. Highly sought after for their fighting ability and delicious taste.

Dolly Varden Trout (Salvelinus malma): native to the western United States, Canada, and Alaska. Distinct colors from silver to pink, and often feature black spots on its body and fins. Dolly Varden trout, like all of the other trout are opportunistic feeders that will eat a variety of insects, crustaceans, and small fish. They are noble fighters and sought after by anglers for this ability along with a delicious taste.

Lake Trout (Salvelinus namaycush): these trout are native to the northern regions of North America, Canada and the United States. They are large in size and aggressive in behavior. Lake trout have a dark, mottled coloration, which can range from light brown to dark brown, and have black spots on their body and fins.  An aggressive predator that will eat many different  insects, crustaceans, and small fish given the opportunity. Highly sought after for their fighting ability and delicious taste.

Rods, Reels and Line                                                                              

Fly fishing uses a combination of specialized equipment, which includes a rod, reel, and line. Each of these elements plays an important role in casting, fighting and landing fish.

Rods:

Fly rods come in different lengths, weights, and actions. The length of the rod ranges in length from 7 to 9 feet, with a 9 foot rod being the most popular for trout fishing. The weight of the fly rod is measured in line weight, you should match the rod to the weight of the line you are using. The rod action refers to the flexibility of the rod and how it bends when casting. There are three different rod actions: fast, medium, and slow. Fast action rods bend only at the tip, medium action rods bend in the middle, and slow action rods will bend throughout the entire length of the fly rod. Fast action rods work great for making long distance casts, medium action rods are the all-around work horse, and slow action rods work best for delicate presentations.

Reels:

There are different sizes and styles of Fly reels, but they all serve the same purpose: they were created to hold the fly line and provide drag to help control the fish. You will want to match the size of the to the size of the rod, the drag should be adjusted to match the size of the fish you are targeting. There are two styles of reels: manual and automatic. Manual reels make so the angler has to manually retrieve the line, on the other hand a automatic reel has a mechanical system that retrieves the line. Automatic reels are more convenient, manual reels provide more control when you are fighting the fish.

Lines:

Fly lines come in different weights and tapers. The weight of the fly line should match the weight of the fly rod. The taper of the fly line refers to the thickness of the line, this affects the casting distance and how the line lays on the water. Fly lines come in three different types of line taper: weight forward, double taper, and shooting head. Weight forward taper is great for making long distance casts, double taper line is good for all-around use, and shooting head lines work good when you need to make precise casts.

The Right Gear                                                                                       

Having the right equipment for the species of trout fishing you are chasing is a crucial step if you want a successful and enjoyable fishing experience. Because of the variety that the trout family has when fishing for them it will require different styles of equipment. For instance if you choose a lite set up and are chasing large lake trout it could result in a frustrating and unproductive day on the water.

To begin with, it is important to evaluate the type of trout fishing you will be doing. Will you be fishing for wild stream-dwelling trout in a small clear stream? If so you will need different equipment than if you are chasing stocked trout in a large lake. If Stream fishing in most cases it requires a shorter, lighter rod, whereas if you are lake fishing it will require a longer, heavier rod. Something else to think about is the size and type of fly or lure you use; this will also vary depending on the type of trout fishing you are doing.

Next, you’ll want to assess the size and species of trout you’re going to target. Different kinds of trout, like rainbow, brown, and brook trout, will have different characteristics and behavior patterns each requiring a different type of equipment. Consider brook trout, they are typically smaller and more delicate, making a lighter rod and tippet a good choice. But if your targeting rainbow trout they are usually  larger and more aggressive, so a heavier rod and tippet are required.

When picking your fly fishing gear it’s important to consider the water conditions. Fishing different types of water, like fast-moving streams, still ponds, and deep lakes, will require different styles of lines and leaders. For example, floating line works great when fishing in still water, but you will need a sinking line for fishing in deep lakes. You’ll also need to consider what type of leader you use, this will also vary depending on the water conditions. If fishing in clear water, a clear leader, like fluorocarbon, which is necessary to avoid spooking the fish, but if you are fishing in murky water, a heavier leader can be used.

A few other items to evaluate when selecting equipment are the weather conditions, experience and equipment maintenance. If fishing in extreme heat or cold it can affect the performance of your equipment, try to make sure to choose gear that is appropriate for the weather. For example, a fly rod that has a cork handle will give you a better grip in wet and cold weather, while a rod that has a foam handle will be more comfortable in hot weather. Additionally, it's also essential to consider your skill level. If you’re a beginner fly fisher you will benefit from a rod that has a slower action, it is more forgiving and easier to cast. If you're an experienced fisherman, on the other hand, you may prefer a faster action rod so you can accomplish more precise casting.

Last but not least, properly maintained equipment will not let you down and will last for years to come. Proper care and maintenance of your equipment will prolong the life and ensure that it performs it’s best when you need it. This includes cleaning your rod, reel, and line after each use, as well as storing your equipment in a dry, cool place, we’ll discuss this more below.

Maintaining Your Gear                                                                             

1. Always clean your equipment after each use: Make sure you’re cleaning your rod, reel, and line, along with any other accessories such as waders or boots. This helps prevent the buildup of dirt and grime, the dirt and grime can cause damage affecting the performance of your equipment.

2. Dry your gear: when putting away your equipment it needs to be dried completely. Moisture will cause unnecessary rust and corrosion, which will damage your gear and make it inefficient and difficult to use.

3. Proper Storage: Store your equipment in a dry, cool place, like a closet or storage room. Do not store your equipment in damp or humid areas, like a basement or garage.

4. Proper transportation: If you are traveling with your fly rod, use a protective rod tube to to keep it safe from damage. This one step will help prevent the rod from being bent or broken during transport.

5. Reel Lubrication: keeping your reel lubricated can help keep it running smoothly and prolong its lifespan. Using a high-quality reel oil or grease and applying it to all of the moving parts of the reel will help prevent premature wear.

6. Line maintenance: Clean line and replace it if it gets worn out or damaged. Make sure that you check the fly line's condition every time before you go fishing, if it is frayed or cracked it could possibly break when casting or fighting a fish.

7. Fly care: Check the flies to make sure they are in good condition before using them. Damaged or worn flies will be less effective for catching fish and should be replaced. Do not forget to sharpen them if needed.

8. Have a Repair Kit: small repair kits with a few basic tools and materials, like pliers, forceps, file, and a small vise, when needed can be a lifesaver in the field.

9. Waders: look for leaks or holes in your waders making sure the seams and booties are in good condition.

    

If you follow these tips making sure to take good care of your fly fishing equipment, you will ensure that it will perform its best on the water for many fishing trips to come.

Different Types of Flies and When to use Them                                 

Presentation and Casting

1. Cast upstream: It’s important to cast upstream when you are fly fishing for trout. This allows the fly to drift naturally with the current, appearing more lifelike to the trout.
2. Soft presentation: When you are casting the fly always make sure that you make a soft presentation. The soft presentation will not spook the trout.
3. Slow retrieve: Retrieving the fly at slow pace will allow the trout to see the fly longer, keeping the fly in the fishes field of vision longer.  

4. Keep an eye on the water conditions: Different water conditions require different flies. If fishing calm slow moving water a dry flies are the ticket, but nymphs and streamers will work better in fast-moving water.

5. Size and color of fly: With trout fishing, it is important that you use the right size and color fly. This makes it so that the fly will look as lifelike as possible, if it looks more realistic it is more likely to be noticed by the trout.
6. It’s in the angle: The angle of the fly line affects the way the fly drifts in the water, try to make sure to cast the line at the right angle for the conditions.
7. Shorter casts: Using shorter casts will allow you to make more casts in a shorter amount of time, therefore giving you more opportunities to catch fish.
8. Wind direction: Wind can cause the fly line to drift into areas the fish do not want making the fly  less effective. To avoid this, cast into the wind, or try a wind-resistant fly line.

9. Presentation is everything: Each fly will require a different method of casting and presentation technique. Dry flies are best presented using a slow, gentle drift, while streamers work best retrieved with a fast, jerky action.

10. Practice, practice, practice: Ultimately, the most important tip I can give you for casting and presenting trout flies is to practice. The more you practice, the better you will become, which then equals a more successful you when fishing for trout.