Three Laws of Fly Fishing
Match the hatch!
Foam is home!
Dark skies: dark fly, light skies: light fly!
There are many expressions in fly fishing, some of which have become staples in fly fishing. Many of these are sayings are very helpful but oftentimes the encyclopedia of terminology can overcomplicate a simple venture- to catch fish.
While the plethora of phrases can be overwhelming, it is important to follow some guidelines both as a novice and for experienced anglers. In the complex, nuanced world of fly fishing, having a foundational set of principles, especially for the beginner, is vital for catching more fish and enjoying your time on the water.
Here are three:
1. Presentation > Selection
You will hear this ad nauseam. You will hear it because it’s true. How you present (fancy term for how it’s fished) your fly- how it drifts or how it swims- is far more important than the fly you choose.
Fly selection is unquestionably important as the fly needs to look edible to the fish, but how it is presented will be a much bigger factor in getting the fish to bite. Don’t get me wrong- it’s very easy (and very fun) to geek out on the intricacies and subtleties of the flies we fish. However, fish aren’t inspecting every detail.
Famous fly tier Harry Darbee, when describing the number of feathers on a fly, is famously quoted as saying “If the trout could count, we’d all be in big trouble.”
2. Fish Where the Fish Are
Well, duh right? You can’t catch fish that simply aren’t in the water. You must fish where fish are present and hungry and that isn’t always the case in the spot you’re currently fishing.
It may sound obvious but two things must be identified: First, that there are actually fish in a particular body of water. Secondly (where the fun begins), where are the fish in that body of water?
The ability to put your eyes underwater and think like a fish goes so much further than chucking a fly out there and hoping for the best.
Understanding fish behavior, seasonal patterns, what they’re feeding on, and what type of water they could be in benefits the angler in so many ways- most importantly catching more fish and maximizing your time out on the water.
3. Fish In What You’re Confident
Imagine fishing the size 18 Blue Wing Olive that (in your mind) exactly represents the mayflies you see hatching around you or casting the amateur tied baitfish pattern you tied after three glasses of whiskey the night before that you swear perfectly imitates the minnows in your local creek.
Now imagine fishing a fly that, in your opinion, might as well be a cigarette butt with a hook on it.
Choose the fly you have confidence in over another that you don’t believe in and find yourself thinking, “In what world would a fish eat this??”
You will fish a fly in which you’re confident much better and with significantly more focus. You will hone in on how it’s drifting, how it’s swimming, and fish it more efficiently. What fly that is, is up to you and you will build confidence in flies over time. How you’re fishing will lead to more catches than what you’re fishing (see Law 1), so you might as well fish what you trust.
Thoughts
Laws. Principles. Whatever you want to call them. Are there more? Definitely. And you will create more yourself with experience.
These concepts are fundamental to fishing and are vital to not only catching fish but also enjoying and maximizing your time on the water.
Which ones do you fish by?
