Baitcasting Reel Reviews

Once you've decided to get into fly fishing a s a hobby or a sport there is a lot of equipment to purchase. You can buy them online or at your local fishing store depending on your convenience and prices. Fly fishing rods are the primary piece of fishing equipment that one has to procure. Following that the next most important piece of fly fishing equipment will be the fly fishing reels and fishing flies as well. When buying fly fishing reels and fishing flies you will have to do some amount of research and choose the product that suits your fishing style the best.

There are several types of fishing reels available. The most common ones of these would be the centre pin fishing reel, bait casting reel, spin reel, spin cast reel and under spin reel. Of these, the centre pin reels is the fly fishing reel that is used most commonly for fly fishing. To buy fly fishing reels one must consider the various factors that will play a major role in your selection. The first thing, is the size of the reel that you choose. The reels come in differing sizes and you have to choose the size that suits you best for your fishing needs. If you are fly fishing for small fish in freshwater lakes, a smaller reel would suffice, but when you are in the open sea, a large spool would be the better option as it would give you more line. There are a few reels which have the option of interchanging spools which means that you can buy several lines of differing sizes and change them when you need them. This makes for a lot of cost savings if you regularly switch between freshwater and the high seas.

Consider the different types of reel functions hat are available. This can primarily be categories as single action reel and multiple reels. The single action fly fishing reels are very simple to use with one rotation of the handle giving one rotation of the reel. They are pretty light weighted and hence pretty easy to handle as well. The multiple reels make rotation easier by way of allowing one turn of the handle to produce more than one turn of the reel. This allows for easier rotation of the reel but then tends to be heavier thanks to having multiple reels. Another thing that you should consider with fly fishing reels is the size of the arbour on the reel. The larger the arbour, the easier it is to retrieve in the line that has been cast.

Fishing flies traditionally were hand made by the fishermen themselves. Today one does not have the time and patience to do so and hence one can easily procure high quality handmade fishing flies at any fishing store. The flies that you buy come in a variety of patterns and you wish have to choose the fishing flies depending on the type of fish you want to catch and the feeding habits of that variety of fish. Some advanced fishers do still prefer to tie their own flies, the patterns for which they have fine tuned through their experience of fly fishing.

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We've all been in your predicament. You're looking for that well deserved promotion at work and you know one piece of information about the boss that nobody else knows (or they don't want to admit), he/she loves to fish. He/She's been bugging everybody in the office to spend some time on his luxury boat doing some freshwater fishing but the boss doesn't get a nibble. Well it's your turn at bat, get ready to strike a home run.

Ok, so let's start with the basics. You are going to need to spend a little of that hard earned money at your local Walmart or Bait and Tackle Shop to bring your fishing tools into the new millennium. If you want to impress the boss, you don't want to show up with your Snoopy Zebco Rod/Reel combo that you used twenty years ago to reel in those monster minnows. You need to sell yourself as an angler and not just a fishing person.

Just like Picasso needed an easel and nice set of paintbrushes, you need to get yourself a quality rod and reel. Most Bait Shops and Sporting Good stores sell those combo kits which will likely work for your situation. The great aspect of these kits is that the rod and reel are tailored for one another. Fishing rods (remove the words fishing pole from your vocabulary) come in just about every conceivable format. You'll want to do some preliminary homework in determining where your boss plans to take you and what you will be fishing for. Try to work it in between your meetings about TPS reports and such. What you are interested in is what species of fish you are likely targeting. If you don't want to seem to obvious, just find out what body of water you plan to fish and then open up old google and do a search for it with the keywords "fish report" added on. You will get a wealth of information from forums or local fishing reports regarding the body of water in question and the types of fish you are likely to catch. Once you figure out the species you'll base your rod/reel purchasing off of that.

If you are targeting most species of fish (largemouth, smallmouth, panfish, walleye, catfish), you can probably get away with a five to six foot rod. Anything smaller could easily snap if you happen to tag a huge catfish or even a good size largemouth bass. Anything bigger and you'll be whipping the lips off of those poor innocent panfish. Pay special attention to the limber quality of the rod. While Ultralight rods will give you a better feel for the bite, they will make reeling in that lunker that much harder and increase your chance of having to tell stories about the one that got away. Your best bet is to stay neutral and get a Medium weight pole. It will be sturdy enough for most breeds of freshwater fish.
Fishin Reels now come in mind numbing assortment of types and sizes. You might remember your old faithful Zebco reel where you never saw the fishing line, it just disappeared into the endless depths of snoopy's mouth. These types of reels are known as closed faced reels. If you want to impress the man, forget this type. While it is the easiest reel to use, it is kids play. You need to look seasoned for your adventure. You might next notice the really pricey reels known as bait casters. Yeah, you've put in your time watching ESPN Bass Masters tournaments and noticed the pro's using these types of reels like it was an extension of their arm. They just whip their bait out and yank in the lunkers. For your adventure, skip the bait casting reels. If any piece of fishing equipment can make a six foot, two hundred and fifty pound grown man weep in agony, this is the one. It takes years to get the right feel for this device and you will have better luck at figuring out a rubic's cube (ahem, no pulling the stickers off) then trying to get a successful cast out of this reel. So my recommendation for your expedition would be the old faithful Open Faced Spinning Reel. Yes, you'll need to do some practice casting before you venture out for your trip just to get the hang of this one. The sporting goods shop that you visit for your supplies should also sell little plastic plugs called practice or casting plugs. Get you a couple of these and practice in the backyard. Put a bucket out about twenty feet and see if you can hammer your plug home.

To make things even more complicated, you'll notice some numbers on the spool (the part of the reel that your fishing line is wound around). Numbers such as 6lb/150yd, 8lb/100yd, 10lb/75yd. No, these are shot put records, these are the line capacities. Fishing line comes in various "strengths" which are measured in the good old English system, pounds. Basically, this is the maximum amount of fish poundage you could catch with the fishing line you have installed. So if you are going for catfish, which can easily get up into the twenty pound size, you'll want a fishing line that is rated in that neighborhood. So your probably thinking, well why not just go big( i do it with McDonalds value meals, it should work here. right). Well, you'll notice that the bigger the poundage the less line (measured in yds) you'll be able to put on your reel. This means when you see the fish jumping out in the water 150 yds and you cast out with only 100 yds on your reel, you'll fall short. Any you definitely don't want to fall short in front of your new best friend. So it's imperative that you match up your fishing line to the type of fish you are going for.

I've got two wonderful tips to give you when it comes to fishing line. Number one, pay that extra ten bucks and get an extra spool. Have the sporting goods shop string it up for you with a different pound fishing line just in case the fish get big. This is an invaluable back up plan in case you get the dreaded bird's nest of death, one quick removal of the old spool and your back in action. Deal with the dreaded fishing string birds nest another day. Tip Number Two, remove your fishing spool from your fishing reel and drop it in a glass of warm water overnight. No, you won't grow a fishing fairy that you can take along but what this does is help mold the line to your spool. This helps in preventing those birds nest after your bazillenth cast. Its one of the smartest things you can do with new fishing line.

So lets take tally of what you've got in your shopping cart..rod,reel and fishing line. Hmm, we seem to be missing something. Yep, we need some form of bait. Well this is where your research into where you'll be heading comes in. Generally the information you find regarding what types of fish you will be catching will also point you into the direction of what these fish bite on. If you strike out online, ask the youngest looking employee in the fishing section of the sporting good store what the fish hit on at that particular lake. Why the youngest, because they have the most free time on their hands so they probably have the experience (I worked at a Bait and Tackle store for three years when I was in my teens. I worked there not because I needed the money, but because I got the scoop on the best fishing spots and also got a killer discount on bait and tackle). Go with their recommendations and stock up. If you can afford it, get at least two of each of what they recommend. The best fishing spots are also the best spots to loose fishing gear( think sunken tree's). The worst feeling you can have is to be nailing the fish and loose the only thing they are hitting on.

So there you go. Armed with this basic information, you should be able to set yourself up for fishing success. One more thing to keep in mind, don't catch more than your boss or you could find yourself out fishing for a new job.
If your looking for a great source of information regarding fishing Utah, including fishing reports, in-depth analysis of local lakes and other valuable data visit my blog at:
http://www.fishingutah.net

Fishing is an exciting activities but sometimes it's quite boring. But, if you finally decide to try fishing. You better start choosing your fishing equipments. One of all is the fishing reels.

The Fishing Reel is a very important piece of fishing gear. It comes in many different styles and varieties from a wide array of manufacturers. Like other fishing equipments, fishing reels can be inexpensive or surprisingly expensive.

Having a precise fishing reel is a key for successful fishing. There are some types of fishing reels on the market today.
1. Fly Casting Reels
Fly casting reels are quite an expensive type of reels. Since fly fishing is includes special skills, the fishing equipment used to do it is also very special. 2. Fly Fishing Reels
Fly Fishing Reels need to be lightweight so that you can cast and move smoothly. These reels are narrow and dish shaped requiring a special touch.
3. Spinning Reels
Spinning Reels have a wide range of varieties. It is something suitable for everyone from beginner to professional anglers.
4. Closed Faced Reels.
Closed Faced Reels are easy to operate and ideal for beginners. It's all because they have a button that you can press and release to let the line out and the fishing line is kept in an enclosed case.
5.Open Faced Reels.
Open Faced Reels have the line exposed and usually have a bail that you slide over and hold down while you are casting releasing it at the last minute to let the line fly out.

Once you have narrowed it down to a particular fishing reel model you'll need to set your budget. It will be worth your while if you can just pick your most precise one.

The fishing reels that really meets your requirements in fishing at your current conditions. Later, if you have been fishing for a while you will probably have a better idea of which fishing reels is the perfect one for you.

The art of casting is a very important skill in fly fishing. It requires gradual, synchronized movements. It helps to think of each movement, both the back cast in the forward cast, is divided into three steps. The first is loading, the second is the momentum of projection, and the third is the pause. It takes a lot of practice to master the art of casting in fly fishing.

There are several types of casts. The most common of these include the basic cast, false cast, side and reverse casts, roll cast, and double haul cast.

In fly fishing the easiest cast, called the basic cast, is simply casting the line straight back and then directly forward. Anyone new to fly fishing should master the basic cast before going on to other techniques. Use a short length of line to begin with if you are new to fly fishing. This will help you gain sufficient control of the line, while practicing short gentle movements.

The false cast is a variation of the basic cast. It consists of the same backward and forward movements as the basic cast, and is immediately followed by another set of the same movements. The fly line actually travels backward and forward repeatedly without touching the water. Practicing this type of cast helps to build precise timing that is required in fly fishing.
In fly fishing the side and reverse casts are generally used when wind is a problem. They are also used if there are obstacles that can make a regular cast difficult.

A roll cast is generally used if the fisherman finds himself with his back to such obstacles
as a high riverbank or a wall of vegetation. When these conditions exist, a basic cast is almost impossible. You need to let out a good length of line in front of you; it's best to let the current take it a short distance. The drag of the water on the line will load the rod, and you can cast forward without needing to execute the back cast.

Using a double haul cast in fly fishing will enable you to cast a much longer line than is possible with a basic cast. In order to do this you need to have a much faster line speed. This is done by making much larger casting movements, applying more strength, and loading the rod more before the forward cast. During this cast both hands of the fisherman must work independently.

The above five types of fly fishing casts are the ones used most often. There are many other types of casts also, including the S-cast, the parachute cast, and the mend cast.

Casting is the basic physical skill involved in fly fishing. Its purpose is to place the fly exactly where you want it to be, just like any other skill it takes practice. Accuracy and the delicacy of the presentation are very important when fly fishing. Mastering the basics of fly casting first will make it easier to move on to the more difficult casts.

Once you've decided to get into fly fishing as a hobby or a sport there is a lot of equipment to purchase. You can buy them online or at your local fishing store depending on your convenience and prices. Fly fishing rods are the primary piece of fishing equipment that one has to procure. Following that the next most important piece of fly fishing equipment will be the fly fishing reels and fishing flies as well. When buying fly fishing reels and fishing flies you will have to do some amount of research and choose the product that suits your fishing style the best.

There are several types of fishing reels available. The most common ones of these would be the centre pin fishing reel, bait casting reel, spin reel, spin cast reel and under spin reel. Of these, the centre pin reels is the fly fishing reel that is used most commonly for fly fishing. To buy fly fishing reels one must consider the various factors that will play a major role in your selection. The first thing, is the size of the reel that you choose. The reels come in differing sizes and you have to choose the size that suits you best for your fishing needs. If you are fly fishing for small fish in freshwater lakes, a smaller reel would suffice, but when you are in the open sea, a large spool would be the better option as it would give you more line. There are a few reels which have the option of interchanging spools which means that you can buy several lines of differing sizes and change them when you need them. This makes for a lot of cost savings if you regularly switch between freshwater and the high seas.

Consider the different types of reel functions hat are available. This can primarily be categories as single action reel and multiple reels. The single action fly fishing reels are very simple to use with one rotation of the handle giving one rotation of the reel. They are pretty light weighted and hence pretty easy to handle as well. The multiple reels make rotation easier by way of allowing one turn of the handle to produce more than one turn of the reel. This allows for easier rotation of the reel but then tends to be heavier thanks to having multiple reels. Another thing that you should consider with fly fishing reels is the size of the arbour on the reel. The larger the arbour, the easier it is to retrieve in the line that has been cast.

Fishing flies traditionally were hand made by the fishermen themselves. Today one does not have the time and patience to do so and hence one can easily procure high quality handmade fishing flies at any fishing store. The flies that you buy come in a variety of patterns and you wish have to choose the fishing flies depending on the type of fish you want to catch and the feeding habits of that variety of fish. Some advanced fishers do still prefer to tie their own flies, the patterns for which they have fine tuned through their experience of fly fishing.

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Fly reels can get expensive. Do you need to spend that much to get a high quality reel? A fly reel is the third most important item to a standard fly fishing set-up, with fly fishing rod and fly line being number one and two. Let's look at the aspects that you do not want to leave out when trying to save money on a fly fishing reel as well as some that you can get by without, so you can have the best fly rod for the money.

Before you buy a fly fishing reel, it is important to know a few things so that you can be confident you are buying a fly reel that will fit the fly rod you are buying, the fish you are after, and the technique you are to use. A fly reel must match these aspects before it can even be considered as the best fly rod for the money.

Size of Reel Needed

A fly reel's size is determined by the line weight (wt) you will be using. For example, dry fly fishing for trout will typically be done with a 4wt or 5wt rod and line. Therefore you will want to use a 4wt or 5wt reel. If a fly fisherman were to use a 4wt fly reel just because it is inexpensive, with an 8wt line, he would find out pretty fast that there is not enough space on a 4wt reel to hold 8wt line. Nor would the drag system be strong enough to effectively control a fish that an 8wt is made for such as a steelhead or salmon.
For a fly fishing set up to feel right the rod and reel must have a good balance. Having a balanced fly fishing setup will help the rod load better resulting in a much further and smoother cast. A fly fishing setup with a reel too small or big for the rod not only feels weird but also looks weird.
Size of Fish

It is important to purchase a reel that will be able to handle the fish you are after. With big fish, the reel becomes more of a necessity than with smaller fish. For example, a 16 inch trout is going to put on a good fight for a 4wt fly fishing setup, but mostly a fly angler will be able to land the fish by pulling on the line and not rely on the reel at all. If a fly angler was to be using his 10wt fly rod and reel to hook into a King Salmon, then the reel will get a lot of use as simply pulling the line in will not cut it. With these bigger fish that are prone to run a long ways, a quality, smooth drag system is essential. For this reason, it is possible to get all the reel you need cheaply to outfit a 4 or 6wt rod, but as you go up in weight, price should and will follow as the reel is depended on a lot more.

Technique

There are a couple fly fishing techniques that will help determine the best fly reel for the money. Of course there are the standard setups that are pretty straight forward; just buy a reel that matches the line and rod weight and your set up should be pretty well balanced. If a fly fisherman was to buy a spey rod (an advanced two handed fly rod made for long casts), then he will want buy a reel that is a couple sizes bigger than the line he is fishing. This is because spey line is quite a bit longer than traditional fly fishing lines due to the ability to make longer cast. Spey rods also need bigger reels because the rods or typically long, 13-14 feet, and it takes a little more weight to balance one out.

So, What Is the Best Fly Reel for the Money?

The best fly reel for the money is one that covers all the basics mentioned above, but also fits into your budget. A good rule of thumb is to buy the best fly fishing reel that you can afford. The price ranges a lot, but any model made by Sage will more than get the job done at a fair price. A person can spend as little as $99, or as much as $700. All are good reels, but the change in quality definitely makes a difference as you go up in price. Do not fear though, if this is your first fly reel purchase, Sage's lower end reels will feel as smooth as baby skin if you only have cheap reels to compare it too.

Conclusion

While a fly reel will not see near as much use as the fly rod or line for lightweight setups, a quality reel is essential when it is needed, especially when using heavier equipment and fighting bigger fish or big fish on light line. Click here: OnlineFlyFishingGuide.com to check out the complete line of Sage Reels, as well as all other equipment that is needed to be a successful fly fisherman. The OnlineFlyFishingGuide.com is a great source to learn the art of Fly Fishing, starting with using the right gear.

All across the United States there are many beautiful, exciting places that are excellent or fly fishing. The following article just highlights a few of them.

Sitka, Alaska is a major stopover for salmon heading to British Columbia, Washington, and other Alaskan waters. Fly fishermen at Sitka, have a higher fishing catch rate than any other marine area in Southeast Alaska. June is the best month for fishing this area.

The Colorado River at Lees Ferry, Arizona, is one of the best fly fishing spots for rainbow trout. The fish are comfortable all year round in a 15-mile stretch of cold water that flows from the depths of Lake Powell between Glen Canyon Dam and the upper end of the Grand Canyon. Fly fishermen can also book a guide and go flats fishing for 25 pound carp.

Saltwater fly fishing is at its best at Montauk Point, New York. Montauk Point is the easternmost point of Long Island and is best known for striper fishing. Fly fishermen have miles of beautiful shoreline in which they can cast their fly.

Gunpowder Falls, Maryland, is an excellent place to catch cold water trout. A deal was struck by the Maryland state authorities and Trout Unlimited to start cold water releases from Pretty Boy Dam. This has resulted in a combination of wild and stocked brown, brook, and rainbow trout. Most of the fly fishing is in Gunpowder Falls State Park.

Fishing Creek, Pennsylvania, is one of the states top wild trout streams. It generally stays cool throughout the summer. There is a five-mile stretch called the Narrows, near Lamar, that is a very popular area for fly fishing.

Driftless Area, Wisconsin, has many excellent fly fishing streams loaded with brown trout. There is excellent access to all of southwestern Wisconsin's eight counties. There are 68 streams in Vernon County alone, including Kickapoo River and Timber Coulee Creek. Most fly fishermen in this area use mayfly and caddis imitations.

Laguna Madre, Texas, is full of rivers and lakes that are excellent fly fishing locations. Texas also has its southern coast, which is among the world's greatest saltwater fly fishing areas. The saltwater flats of Laguna Madre, next to Padre Island, are full of all different kinds of fish that make for a great fly fishing experience.

Henry's Fork, Idaho, is a great destination for rainbow trout. If you are fishing the Island Park area, it is better to fish in runoff conditions.

Lake C. W. McConaughy, Nebraska, is the largest lake in the state and also has some of the best fly fishing. Another excellent fly fishing spot in Nebraska is the Fremont Lakes State Recreation Area, which is a series of twenty sandpit lakes that have been carved into the Platte River basin. Red Willow reservoir is also a favorite of fly fishermen in this area of the country.

Kauai, Hawaii, is a great spot for fly fishing largemouth, smallmouth, and peacock bass. This Garden Isle also has excellent saltwater fly fishing.

Whether you like fresh or salt water fly fishing, there are thousands of places to fish across the country that offer the fly fisherman endless opportunities and experiences.

Fishing rods are one of the most important accessories without which there's no point in going for fishing. Different types of fishing rods are available for different types of fishing. Check out the main 9 types of fishing rods that are used often:

1.Spinning Rods: These are the most common types of fishing rods that are easily available in the market. They are used for both heavyweight and lightweight fishing and are commonly used for catching walleye, bass and trout. Spinning rods are strong and durable enough to withstand the pressure or stress exerted by the fish on the rod. Designed as an eggbeater reel they are useful for retrieving and casting baits and lures. The usual length of a spin rod is between 1.6m to 2.5m.

2.Jigging Rods: These types of rods are generally seen on commercial boats as they can easily handle large baits and heavy lures. They are made of very strong and solid material as they need to tackle the changing currents of the ocean.

3.Surf Rods: Considered to be the longest among fishing rods, they are heavier than others. Surf rods are useful for catching big fishes. Their length usually vary between 3m to 4.2m.
4.Carbon Fiber Rods: These are hi-tech rods that are mainly used for coarse fishing. A variety of carbon fibers are used to manufacture them. Positioning of the bait in this type of fishing rod helps to catch big fishes.

5.Fly Rods: Fly fishing rods are generally used for catching fresh water fishes like halibut, salmon and trout. They are mostly built of carbon graphite. The three different types of fly fishing rods include:

1.Bamboo Fly Fishing Rod: This common fishing rod is preferred by most of the people who go fishing, as it is quite durable and suitable for most kinds of fishing situations. These type of fishing rods are very flexible and lightweight.

2.Graphite Fly Fishing Rods: These type of fly fishing rods are little stiff yet strong and effective. Many fishermen prefer using this due to their strength and performance. These fishing rods are available in various designs and patterns.

3.Fiberglass Fly Fishing Rod: Most of the fishing rods these days are being made of fiberglass. It is little heavier than the other two, which makes it unpopular among some fishermen.

6.Tenkara Rods: They are a combination of other rods, having all the facilities of carbon rods, fly rods, and telescopic rods. The length of these rods range from 11 to 13 feet. They are also very light, portable and easily available at almost every fishing tackle shop.

7.Game Fishing Rods: Game fishing rods are mainly used in deeper saltwater for game fishing. They are designed in such a way that they can catch large fishes like pelagic fish. They are quite thick and don't bend easily. In place of regular line guides, they have roller guides.

8.Boat Rods: They are considered to be a subclass of spin rods. Boat rods are heavier and shorter than other rods and are mainly used in saltwater fishing.

9.Trout Fishing Rods: The length of a trout fishing rod ranges from 7 to 10 feet. These rods are lighter than bass fishing rods. Most of them are made of granite and sometimes fiberglass.

Other types of fishing rods include crappie fishing rods, bass fishing rods, ice fishing rods, sea fishing rods, and ultra light fishing rods.

There are many of ways to wrap guides on a rod. They all seem get the job done. Some processes require very little in the way of supplies and equipment and others go to extremes.

The old school rod wrappers, for example, held the rod section and guides in their fingers and wrapped the thread with a bobbin similar to those used for fly tying. On the opposite end of the spectrum you can invest in a rod wrapping machine and produce many guide wraps all with fine results.

Between these extremes there exists an approach that I have found satisfies the casual and serious rod wrapper.

In my view, the application of thread onto a rod blank and over a guide foot needs to be controlled both in position and tension. The continual application of tension is an immense aid while completing a wrap. If it becomes necessary to "Back-up" the process it should be easily accomplished without the thread moving out of position on the rod blank and or losing tension. The same holds true should your grasp on the rod blank need to be relaxed and the rod not be able to turn, un-winding the wrap, thus losing tension.

The task at hand was to come up with a wrapping jig for this process that provided control for both of these considerations.

A. - The rod blank was cradled in adjustable yokes and retained with medium sized rubber bands. Other design considerations were incorporated to protect the blank from being scratched or abraded while being held in the yokes.

B. - A movable thread holder and guide was designed to retain two spools of thread with constant, adjustable, tension on both. The holder also is positioned for optimal view of the thread as it is being wrapped into place on the rod blank.

This combination will allow the wrapping to be done accurately while maintaining a consistent thread tension throughout the process without the need to maintain a constant grasp on the rod blank.

The ability to control all of the following factors while wrapping include;

Rod blank rotation method and speed, (Nothing like hand eye co-ordination to meet the need)

Positioning of the thread, (Easily visible with good eye position to align the thread)

Tension of the thread, (Light springs are a wonderful advantage here)

Tension on the rod blank, (Light friction created by pressure applied by rubber bands)

These were paramount to the process.

The benefits of this approach will yield wraps that are even in their placement and in tension which are important factors in a quality wrap.

Check out my website for a complete picture of my take on wrapping guides on rods and pictures of the wrapping jig discussed here.

Angibow

"The Old Rod Wrapping Ninja"

Czech Nymph Fly Selection

There is one essential thing that the fly fisherman will need when czech nymphing, that is heavy flies! Usually using a team of 3 flies on droppers with the point fly being the heaviest fly.

Cased Caddis - The Prey

Caddis Flies are widespread across Europe wherever water is available, either static or running. However, the adult is a strong flyer and can move some distance from ponds, streams and rivers, especially as it is attracted to light. However it is the larvae form that is a key part of the diet for fish such as trout. The larvae which make a "case" in which to live usingsmall stones, sand, pieces of leaves and all glued together with a silk lining inside. The silk is spun with a secretion from labial glands (around the mouth) like moth larvae. When full-grown the larva pupates in the case which stops being mobile and may be glued down to a rock.

The cased forms feed on vegetation whilst the caseless forms tend to be either carnivorous or detritivores. The predatory ones are those free living. The web-spinning, caseless larvae may create a silk tube in which to live whilst those in moving water spin the web between stones. This web may trap small invertebrates drifting with the current. This invertebrate drift, as it is known, is an abundant source of food as the current constantly dislodges animals living on the bottom of streams and rivers. Many of these caseless caddis larvae are associated with particular speeds of flow. However, much of what they catch will just be drifting detritus and other organic particulate matter on which the larva will feed (hence detritivore). Some particulate matter will be drifting plankton. Those larvae in especially fast flowing water, e.g. Hydropsyche, will have toughened upper parts to the thoracic segments (thickened external skeleton is refered to as being sclerotised). The larvae have their abdomens safely in the silk tube but the front section of the body protruding into the current. This sclerotisation may be an adaptation to protect them from small stones and other material hitting them.

It is this caddis that is one of our primary fishing imitations when czech nymphing. Below are different imitations that can be used in descending weight order, with the heavyweights of the czech nymphing world described first.

Czech Bottle Fly - Super Heavyweight Flies

Czech bottle nymphs are the "bruisers" of the fly fishing world. Designed to hold botom in the fastest of waters a czech bottle nymph is a uniquely designed fishing fly. The Bottle Fly is a complete fly, designed in the shape of a bottle and is available in 2.2gm, 3.4gm, 4.4gm and even 5.5gm weights. The fly is manufactured from pre-made moulds which are tied very simply, the bottle is rolled in glue and sand is rolled onto the fly, a hackle is then simply tied to the front. The finished fly is identical to a caddis in its nest described above. The beauty of this fly being that it will hold bottom or take a team of flies to the bottom of the fastest of rivers. We use this for sea trout frequently as it can be used to hold a snake fly low in the fastest of waters!

Traditional Czech Nymphs - Heavy Flies

These are the more "traditional" czech nymphs used around the world. These are still a heavy fly, often tungsten weighted to keep the fly low in the water. Czech nymphs are available in a range of colours, from pea green to cream and red, from hares ear and amber to sparkle and orange. They key with these colours is actually that the czech nymphing technique is forcing the trout to make a rapid decision, fast water with stimulating colours is often deadly.

A technique I frequently use is to use a heavy fly, often a bottle fly on the point with a natural colours czech nymph on one dropper and a nymphs with colours on the second dropper. Using this technique you can see what the trout are eating before focussing on specific colours.

Goldhead / Beadhead Flies

These are the "lightweight flies" used in czech nymphing. The Goldhead or Beadhead fly has a small bead which gives it weight, ideal in slower rivers when czech nymphing and frequently used as an alternative dropper.

Standard Nymphs

Do not forget to truly work a team of droppers, there is nothing to stop the fly fisherman using a standard caddis, nymph, stonefly or other fly on a dropper when czech nymhing, the key is that it needs to be kept low and close to the river bottom.