Bug Wafting – That’s What The Other Fishermen Call It!
Bug wafting – is that what you believe fly fishing is? Certainly the other camps ‘the worm danglers’ also known as coarse fishermen and ‘dead fish floggers’ or sea fishermen consider it so!
There are three distinct fishing disciplines, fly fishing coarse fishing and sea fishing couldn’t be more different (and each of those disciplines had many sub-disciplines!). So this article exists to defend the ancient art of fly fishing and to explain its whole raison d’etre to those amongst you who might be wondering what fly fishing is all really about. This article is aimed at the non-fly fisher person so be aware that it is meant to be basic to explain the very essence of this sport. Apologies to the experienced fly angler out there but I hope you will understand that we are out to spread the word about this wonderful sport and hopefully invite others to join us.
Fly fishing is an ancient method of catching fish and uses flies to do so. Well, we say flies but we could actually use terrestrial or aquatic insects, baitfish or prey as well as umpteen different flies. We aim to replicate nature which is a massive undertaking in its own right. Through the year, season, week, day or hour, there will be different flies or bugs that the fish want to eat. Get the fly wrong and the fish will literally turn their nose up at it. Get it right and you’re on the money! So we have to do what is known as ‘match the hatch’!
Match the Hatch is really simple however his means, study the nature, see what bugs, insects & flies are hatching at that time and do your best to get your fly to be the same. This is the hard bit and a lot of fly fishermen are actually entomologists or wannabee entomologists, forget it you do not need to be, just enthusiastic and observant. The key is simply to observe nature, not be an expert in nature!. But for those of us who are starting out, there is lots of help out there. An added benefit of fly fishing is that other anglers are nice people who want to help and share their knowledge with beginners – so if in doubt ask.
The flies are not real flies, they are artificial but made to look really real. You can either make your own fly fishing flies or buy them from a fly fishing shop. They are made from all sorts of materials – fur like fox, rabbit, hare, deer or elk, feathers like cdc or cul de canard, synthetics or natural materials like wools. They are tied, by hand, to different sizes onto a hook. They can be made to float or sink, again, to match what that creature would normally be doing in nature.
Your fly has to be tied to the fly fishing leader, using a good knot (and thats a massive subject in its own right) to your line and cast out. The aim is to land your fly on the water as though it was a real fly just resting – not being dumped courtesy of a bad cast. This is the real art and people study casting for years to get it right. Its recognised that to get it right and avoid bad habits, it is a good idea to have casting lessons, it can really help as getting timing is the key and correct action makes all of the difference to the cast. But like any new sport, you have to train and practice practice practice. It is possible to see people practicing their fly casting on a football field (after the match has finished of course!) just trying to get the line out and perfect the many different types of casts for the different scenarios you might find yourself in. Fly fishing typically happens on fresh water (that means river or lake) or salt water (that means the sea or sea loch etc). Thanks to that it means fly fishing takes place in beautiful, natural places.
Typically fly fishing was always known for catching trout or salmon. Today a lot of people fly fish for pike, bass, panfish, grayling and carp as well as marine species such as redfish, snook, tarpon, bonefish and striped bass. So what do you think? Fancy learning more? This article may be the most basic of its kind, but hey maybe it has wet your appetite a little? There are great fly fishing shops and clubs all over the country, why not give them a ring and meet up with some local anglers and learn a bit more? Don’t be timid, everyone has to start somewhere! Wishing you hours of happiness and many tight lines!
About the Author
Andy is CEO of The Essential Fly, a quality manufacturer of fly fishing flies including salmon flies/salmon fly, trout flies/trout fly, fly tying materials and fly fishing tackle/gear. Andy is a passionate fisherman and always looking at new materials and flies and their effects on the quarry fish.
fly tying nymph cul-de-canard CDC (english version)
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Hareline: Cul De Canard Selected grade feathers…. |
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Tying Flies with CDC $24.95 CDC (cul-de-canard) feathers are one of the most popular fly-tying materials. CDC’s water-resistant properties make it particularly useful for tying dry flies, emergers, and nymphs, especially in small sizes. Tying Flies with CDC brings together the CDC patterns and tying techniques of creative, innovative fly tiers from around the world. The book gives background on CDC, how it was used in the pa… |
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Cul De Canard Feathers CDC feathers are grown near a duckÕs oil glands, and are saturated with natural oils; these feathers will not sink, even in the absence of floatants. Use for dries and emergers…. |
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Cul de Canard CDC Feathers Since its appearance in the 1980s, Cul de Canard (CDC) has spawned a whole new generation of fly patterns. It has unique light- and air-trapping qualities that send trout into a feeding frenzy. CDC is most commonly found on sedge, midge, and emerger… |
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CDC Biot Spinner Fly – 3 Flies A great series of CDC flies that perfectly matches the Spinner stage of may Mayfly species. CDC, or Cul de Canard, feathers grow around the preen gland of the bird, which secretes the oil that ducks and geese use to preen and waterproof their feathers. The oil and the water-resistant properties of CDC feathers make them great for Spinners, emergers, nymphs and dry flies that need to ride naturally… |
