How to Fly Fish: A Lifelong Hobby

Name: How to Fly Fish: A Lifelong Hobby
Rating: 4.2 (111 reviews)

You will learn everything you need to know to get started fly fishing. No prior experience required!

Created byChase Thornock

Last updated 7/2019

English

English [Auto],

What you'll learn

Slay big fish!
Learn everything you need to know to get geared up
Tie all the basic knots you will need to start fly fishing (merit badge not required)
Cast a fly rod
Read the water
Hook fish!!
Bonus Section! Fly tying

Course content

5 sections • 59 lectures • 2h 6m total length

Fly Fishing Rod1:27
After this course you will know the basics of Fly Rods and which one to get to start fly fishing.
Fly Reel0:47
This lecture talks about what to look for when picking out a fly fishing reel.
Backing0:35
I've got your back(ing)! What the heck is backing? Watch this lecture to find out!
Fly line1:00
Did you know there are as many types of fly line as there are species of fish?! After this lesson you will know the right fly line to get.
Tapered Leader0:37
Listen to this lecture to learn about tapered leaders (and no, I am not talking about strangely proportioned politicians).
Tippet1:02
We are going to need something at the end of the leader. Just tip it with tippet!
Strike Indicator0:33
After this lesson you will know what a strike indicator is and what it is used for.
Waders1:21
A wise man told me once; "all waders leak...eventually". Watch this lecture to learn about the different types of waders and what to look for when buying some.
Boots1:22
"Boots and cats and boots and cats". If you want to learn how to beat box, that's all I've got. If you want to learn about the different types of boots for fly fishing then this is the lecture to watch!
Flies, Foreceps, and Pack1:18
Oh my
Weights and Sunglasses0:47
Learn why weights are so crucial to fly fishing success!
Gear Check List
Download this handy dandy guide to make sure that you have everything you need to get started fly fishing!
Gear Quiz

Attaching the Backing to the Fly Reel (Arbor Knot)1:41
After you watch this video (and practice a bit) you will be able to attach your backing to your fly reel using the Arbor Knot.
Arbor Knot Diagram and Practice0:19
Check out this helpful diagram of the Arbor Knot.
Attaching the Fly Line to the Backing (Albright Knot)1:50
Albright albright already! Check out this lecture to learn how to attach your fly line to your backing.
Albright Knot Practice0:26
Here is a diagram of the Albright Knot for your enjoyment.
Attaching the Tapered Leader to the Fly Line (Loop to Loop Connection)1:11
After this video you will be able to attach your tapered leader to your fly line.
Attaching the Tippet to the Tapered Leader (Surgeons Knot)1:18
After completing this lecture you will be able to tie the Surgeons Knot. You can download this lecture and take it with you on the water so that you don't forget this knot. This is a knot that you will use all the time on the water so practice up!
Surgeons Knot Practice0:23
Here is a diagram of the Surgeons Knot. Make sure to practice this one until you have it down!
Attaching the Flies to the Tippet (Clinch Knot)1:28
This lecture will teach you how to tie the clinch knot. This knot is use to tie your flies onto your line. This is another one that you will want to practice a lot before you hit the water!
Clinch Knot Practice0:14
"Perfect makes practice!"... It goes something like that.
Attaching the Backing to the Fly Reel Demonstration4:11
Now that you have seen the big version of the knot lets show you how to put it all together on your fly reel!
Attaching the Fly Line to the Backing Demonstration4:24
Attach the backing to the fly line with the albright knot, form a loop, wrap ten tight turns, wet the knot, and pull to a snug, secure connection.
Attaching the Tapered Leader to the Fly Line Demonstration1:09
Learn to attach a tapered leader to your fly line by threading fly line loop through the leader loop and pulling leader end through the fly line loop to join.
Attaching the Tippet to the Tapered Leader Demonstration1:34
Your First Fly Fishing Setup - The Inline Rig7:20
Download this guide for how to rig up your line and take it with you out on the river (don't drop your phone in the water though...I have done that too many times). This will help you remember how to rig up your line if you forget.
Inline Rig Diagram0:02
Tips Before you Hit the Water2:53
Safety, safety, safety.
Rigging Up Your Fly Rod and Reel Quiz

Reading the Water2:45
Check out the diagram of the layout of a river. After watching and understanding the concepts in this video, you will be able to go to a river for the first time and understand the basic layout of the river and where the fish will be.
River Layout0:12
Screening the Water for Bugs1:54
Wait, fish eat bugs? Yes they do and lots of 'em!
Wading Safety0:43
Just in case you missed it; safety, safety, safety. No fish is worth your life!
Weight Management1:32
No, not that kind of weight management. In this lecture you will learn how to weight your line so that your flies end up in front of the fish.
Line Management2:46
After this lecture you will learn the basics of line management. This is one of the more tricky parts of fly fishing. You can download this course and take it out on the river if you need a refreasher.
Casting1:44
You will know how to cast your fly rod after you watch this lesson. Rock on!
Mending2:16
The difference between a mediocre fly fisher and a great one can often be found in mending. The concepts in this lesson will help you achieve a "drag-free drift" and make your flies look as natural to the fish as possible.
Setting the Hook2:18
This one is a big deal. Learn how to set the hook effectively.
Fighting the Fish2:43
Once you have the fish hooked the game is on! In this lesson you will learn how to fight the fish.
Releasing the Fish0:58
Watch this lecture to learn how to release your fish and make sure it survives.
Catching Our First Fish!1:12
Woot woot! Fish on!
Bonus Fish Fight!2:26
We can't help it. With all the cool stuff you have learned we just keep catching fish. Watch this lecture to see us put it all together!

Intro to salmon fly fishing1:17
I want you to be able to feel comfortable enough fly fishing so that you could go to Alaska and catch Salmon without paying for a guide! I want you to be so comfortable in fact that I show you how to do it without even renting a car. I walked to the river from the airport!
Salmon Gear1:34
Salmon Flies2:03
Explore salmon fishing setups with a gummy egg and circle hook, plus a shrimp fly, as salmon migrate upstream, change color, and feed on eggs to compete.
Let's Get On The Water7:30
Learn about how the tides affect salmon fishing and become a pro on reading and utilizing tide charts!
Paying Attention to Your Surroundings0:34
On The Water (Intermediate Tips)2:25
What Not To Do :)5:01
Foul Hook Fish Fight!1:46
Taking The Bus0:16
Reading Tide Charts1:04
Learn about the tides and how to read tide charts
Reading Tide Charts
Bonus Salmon Fish Fight!2:59

Introduction to Fly Tying2:38
Learn beginner fly tying skills, compare costs of flies and kits, and choose an affordable vice. This session introduces basic tying setup and decisions on whether fly tying suits you.
Fly Tying Tools4:24
Explore essential fly tying tools for beginners. Learn about a vise with a clamp, bobbin holder, popcorn needle, and a whip finishing tool, plus fine-point scissors, tweezers, and Haskell pliers.
Tying a Scud/Sow Bug Imitation7:22
Learn to tie a scud/sow bug imitation by securing a bronze hook, building a tapered body with dubbing, and finishing with whip finishes using a hand method or a bodkin.
San Juan Worm5:16
Squirmy Wormy4:52
Stone Fly8:11
Tie a stone fly imitation with a beaded head and lead body, wrapping wire and chenille to form a sinking thorax, then add amber floss legs and secure.
Fly Tying Conclusion2:10
Master cheap fly tying by learning patterns from books and YouTube, tying worms, stoneflies, and variations, while knowing local waters and tying flies that attract fish.

Requirements

This course is intendended to walk you through everything from equipment to actually fishing on the river. If you already have gear great! If you don't, we will show you what to get. You should probably know what a fish is, other than that we've got you covered!

Description

If you have ever wanted to learn to Fly Fish or you have been stuck next to the guy on the pond who is catching fish after fish with a fly rod and you want to know what magic he is using then this course is for you. I will take you out on the river and teach you everything you need to know. You can even download portions of this course and take it on the river with you! It's like having your own professional guide with you on the water. Makes a great gift for a new fly fisher!

I have loved fishing for my entire life, but I didn't know how to fly fish. All I knew was that people who were fly fishing always caught more fish than me and it drove me crazy. When I was 12 years old I got my first Fly Rod (the WalMart Special) and after spending hours online and on YouTube I discovered that there was far too much scattered information and the videos on YouTube were too disconnected to make sense of as a whole.

The Fly Rod went into storage for almost a decade. When I moved next to a Blue Ribbon River (in other words a really good fly fishing river) a few years later I decided that I was going to tackle it once and for all. I went out on the river all by myself, every day, for three weeks straight and didn't catch a single thing! I had absolutely no idea what I was doing. Finally I ran into a few guides on the river who were kind enough to show me some basics and I have been fly fishing ever since.

I promised myself that I would pay forward the kindness of those guides and that's why I have made this course. I hope you will enjoy learning the art of fly fishing and pay it forward as well!

Who this course is for:

This course is for begining to intermediate fly fishers. You do not need to have any previous fishing experience or gear. We will teach you all of that here. If you think fish are "icky" or think fly fishing is stupid this course is probably not for you.

How to Fly Fish: A Lifelong Hobby

What you'll learn

Explore related topics

Course content

Fly Fishing Gear12 lectures • 11min

Rigging Up Your Fly Rod and Reel16 lectures • 30min

Fly Fishing Techniques: Nymphing13 lectures • 23min

Bonus Section!! Fly Fishing for Salmon11 lectures • 26min

Bonus Section: Fly Tying Intro7 lectures • 35min

Requirements

Description

Who this course is for: