SUNGLASSES
Safety is paramount at all times while fly-casting and fly fishing.
Polaroid sunglasses will not only help you when you are fishing
but also protect your eyes against wayward flies.
THE ROD
I recommend a 9-foot, 5 or 6 weight rod, an excellent all round
rod. One which has a progressive action is ideal, a progressive
rod loads more deeply from the tip down the more power you apply,
for short casts we just flex the tip, for long casts we load
it right down to the butt.
THE REEL
The lighter the reel the better, it should be large enough to
hold the fly line plus 50 yards of 20 lb backing.
THE LINE
Use a good quality floating weight forward fly line; it is absolutely
essential that the line balance with the rod of your choice.
Choose a bright coloured fly line. This helps you to see the
form of your casting loops while practicing and fishing. Remember
bad casting scares fish not bright coloured fly lines.
THE LEADER
Usually the leader is the most neglected part of the fly casting
system, the leader must have a design and length which transfers
energy smoothly and efficiently from the fly line right to the
fly. With a nail knot, attach a tapered leader of about the
same size as your rod with a tip strength of about 2x, to the
tapered leader tie on a piece of 3x tippet about half the length
of the rod with a three turn water knot. To that, tie on a small
piece of yarn for practice.
