A fisherman that fly fishes knows the most fun comes from dry fly fishing. In this article I hope to enlighten all of you with some favourite techniques.

Watching the fly drift on the water, the flash of the trout grabbing it and then the bend in your fly rod. This is exactly what all fly fishermen hope to experience. Just to get this experience most fly fishermen will go to extreme measures to make this happen. Sure most guys don't mind taking a big old rainbow or brown on a nymph but catching that brookie on a dry fly is usually always preferred.

When I first get to the stream I am going to fish I put on a nymph. The reason for this is that I can be catching fish while I am paying attention to what's going on, on the top. When I finally see what's going on than its time to switch to a dry fly and have lots of fun.

Your equipment choice is very important. I suggest using as long of a rod as possible. For some reason some fishermen like to use shorter rods but I can't think of a better feeling than the fight of trout fighting on a long rod.

It is also best to use a large arbour reel. A large arbour reel keeps your fly line supple, without curls from tight diameter storage. A fine drag system or none at all is important to protect the tippet from breaking when the fish runs. Something else that's important is good rod balance. The reel weight must make the fly rod by the cork grip balance. If you have the right balance casting will feel second nature. Once you have the right balance you will be able to feel your fly trailing on the leader.

Understanding these aspects of fly fishing really is not difficult. It does take time and practice. With the practice you will get to the point where you understand all aspects of your equipment and the details of your techniques. If you keep going after trout, especially with a fly rod then chances are you will never go back to spinning equipment.

It's going to take hours and hours of practice. I remember practicing my casting at the local park so that I could just focus on casting instead of worrying about the water. Fly fishing when mastered is an art that really can be mastered by anyone.

Dale Mazurek