On 3/12/05 11:39 PM, in article ,
"sprattoo" wrote:

I have only just decided to start fly fishing this year. I have tied flies
since I was young and up to this point most of my fly use has been done by
rigging them on spincasting reels or clumsily lobbing them out with my one
fly-rod.

This year I want to do it right. I have flies I KNOW the stripers will like
and want to bring them in on a fly rod.. and maybe even practice on
Mackerel.

What do I need to do to this fly rod? I have it set up with backing,
floating line and a leader (5lb I think) it's a largemouth type set up I
believe. I'm really struggling with the knot tying thing and I'm just
getting myself frustrated and confused. I'm not even sure of the purpose of
a tippet.

All I have been doing up to this point is ---trying--- to get the flies out
with a leader and my bulky messy knots. Is there an easy way to do this? I
need a good basic how-to-fly fishing 101 site. Will this leader even hold
onto a modest striper?
How is this done sually?

I would really appreciate any suggestions?

You need at least a 7 weight rod (I have a 7 and an 8 weight for sal****er)
and a 9 ft leader with a shock tippet. Bluefish and Mackerel both have teeth
and I have lost many of these fish after a few seconds into the fight. Even
after getting the knots right and the wind knots out of your leader the
biggest challenge with sal****er fly casting is keeping the fly out of your
earlobe. A strong gust of wind at the most inopportune time will make it
seem like you are throwing a seagull tied to a clothesline! It's not
uncommon for the fly to pass by your head opposite your casting side. But
it's all worth it when that huge Redfish, Snook or Tarpon is racing your
reel down to the backing.

There are many sources on-line for common knots. Use a nail-knot to ties the
tippet to your leader. Use a surgeons loop to attach the leader to your fly
line. The tippet is the last 3 feet of your leader. As you change flies and
break off on fish the leader gets short. You tie on an extension (the
tippet).

Finally, when you get a strike, DON'T lift the rod tip to set the hook. Your
fly rod will snap immediately. Set the hook by making a sharp pull on the
fly line (just like stripping the line during retrieval) with the fly rod
pointed toward the fish.

Good luck!

-Greg