A Difference Of Tackle
To the benefit of those new to fishing, when we say fishing tackle we do not mean tackling a fish or tackling the sport of fishing. Fishing tackle simply means fishing equipment that are used for fishing. Fishing tackle between fly fishing and conventional styles of fishing are also different.
Granted that most styles of fishing use a fishing rod (let’s not include pole here and only discuss rods with line guides and reel seats), there is a difference between these rods. Fly fishing rods have reel seats very almost at the end of the butt section whereas spinning rods and casting rods have them further up front providing for more leverage when fighting or battling a fish.
Fly reels are also different. They resemble bait casting reels more but flattened into narrower proportions. The closest reel that resembles fly fishing reel is the ikada fishing reel. I am sure that most of you have not heard of ikada fishing. It is a type of fishing that is done mainly in Japan. It is fished conventional style with weighted baits, fishing rods, and small fishing reels that look like fly reels. Unlike conventional reels, fly fishing reels use a center pin spool and line retrieval is usually on a 1 to 1 ratio. Some are quipped with a clicker and some with a drag system.
Fishing lines used are also different. Conventional anglers use mainlines that are either the modern braided lines, monofilament, or fluorocarbon. These use leaders that are either monofilament or fluorocarbon. As for fly fishing the lines used are a backing line, fly line, a leader, and a tippet. The use of a backing line to support longer fish runs (unlike the reason for backing lines used with bait-casting reels).
The fly line is basically the “weight or sinker” that is used to cast a weightless ‘fly’ out towards the intended fishing zone. They are also usually brightly coloured so that the angler that see where his line (and flies) are going. This is important as the flies used can be really tiny and be easily camouflaged against a background of vegetation. Try spotting a fly some 30 feet away against the sky and you will understand what I am trying to say.
The leader is basically the link between the fly line and tippet. Having a good distance between the fly line and fly is important, which the length of a leader is normally the length of a fly rod as a general rule. The fly line being a heavier line can be seen by fish and thus having a long and almost invisible leader line between it and the fly is certainly very important.
The tippet is the thinnest line that links the leader line to the fly. Tippets are thin, clear lines, and almost invisible to fish. The reason for using a tippet is so that the fish sees the fly but not the lines and thus gives the angler a higher chance of registering a bite.
A Whole New Learning Curve
With fly fishing being such a unique and different style of fishing, learning or taking up fly fishing is certainly something that anglers must do to spice up their fishing. After all, taking new challenges and learning something new is always an exciting and interesting journey. It adds to your skills and capabilities as well; another feather to one’s fishing cap. With this we encourage you to take up fly fishing if you have not done so and follow us on a new fishing journey; A Journey Into The World Of Fly Fishing.
In the next issue we will look at how to choose your fly fishing equipment. Stay tuned for the next episode.