Looking for some tips for fly fishing

[Crockett]

I have been wanting to get into fly fishing for a while, and for father's day this year my daughters bought me a fly rod.. i have bait casted for the last few years but know absolutely nothing about fly fishing... have been reading and watching all the videos i can find.. any general advice,tips,tricks, or fly suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I plan to start off fishing around lakes and streams close to home until i get the hang of it..any good spots to practice on the water would be great too.
thanks

[npauls]

Come in to Lethbridge and try riverstone pond on the west side. It is stocked full of little bows that are willing to eat pretty much everything.

As for flies I would say to get a bunch of nymphs with beadheads. Stuff like pheasant tails, hares ears, prince nymphs, copper johns, san juan worms, and evil weevils would be a good start.

You could also get some different chronimid patterns for the still waters you would be fishing in our area.

Another go to pattern is wooly buggers in a few different sizes and colors. I almost always fish them with weight either wrapped in the body or with a bead head to get them in the water a bit faster.

You will also want to pick up some indicators for fishing most of these patterns so you know when you have a take.

As for dry flies I can't really help you out on that one because I am not very good myself at chucking dries.

I would say go in one day to wholesale and talk to rick about getting set up for starting out. Mention the flies I mentioned and he should be able to help you put a nice little starter pack together.

[FishlessFool]

Cut the hook off one fly and practice casting in your yard. Will pay off in less flies lost and leaders fouled.

[pikergolf]

Lots of irrigation lakes where your at, floating line a small nymph and head out for some white fish. They will be along the dams chasing caddis puppa. Go out in the evening after work when it is calm, cast out, doesn't have to be far 30' is lots, give the fly about a 20 count to sink and slowly bring it in. About a 36" draw at a time very slowly, about 10 sec. for 36", then let is settle for about a ten count and repeat. For a fly I would recommend a pheasant tail, but I would chew the tail off, this will resemble the rising caddis puppa.

[Kingfisher]

When your casting that fly rod here is a tip to remember. Do not go too far forward or too far back. Do not bend your wrist. Think of this "pick up the phone" "answer the phone" "hang up the phone. Repeat. So your rod goes up to your ear and back down. Back up to your ear and back down. Remember to pause to let the line "load" the rod. The rod will work for you and it will work best if it is loaded. The line will bend the rod back storing energy for when you go forward once again. Wait too long and you will loose all that energy.

FishlessFool had a great suggestion. Cut off the hook at the bend and practice in a park. That way you will get your casting stroke and timing down long before you get to the water and start to loose flies.

Rob

[Crockett]

thanks for all the tips, really helpful.. the flies are starting to land where i'm aiming... more or less lol... now just need to hook a couple fish and i think i'll be sold lol.

[Bjay]

Join a fishing club and take casting lessons. You need casting lessons or it is a long slow process to learn. Good luck
Columbia Old Guy

[Italianfisher]

There is also a trout lake near coaldale. I haven't been but ifish Alberta app says its about 15 Kms from you