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MAGAZINE - JUNE 2013
challenge is to reel up the loose fly line onto the reel without
breaking off a large fish (or getting the line wrapped up around
the rod handle, one’s foot, a stick or anything else in the way).
With experience, really large trout can be put on the reel simply
by applying light pressure on the outgoing line using the fisher’s
fingers. Once the extra line is on the reel, an angler can use the
reel’s drag system to tire the fish. It is important to use heavier
tippet material if it will not spook the fish. The reason why this
is important is an exhausted fish can easily die if released too
soon. Heavier tippet material enables the angler to land the fish
while not over exhausting it.
Catch and release
Releasing wild trout helps preserve the quality of a
fishery. Trout are more delicate than most fish and
require careful handling. When a trout has been caught
but the hook is still embedded, wet your hands before
handling the fish. Dry hands stick to the adhesive
slime coating the fish and can pull off its scales.
It is preferred for the fish to remain in the water
when removing the hook, but holding the trout
out of the water will not be lethal, provided the
hook is removed quickly and the trout is returned
immediately.
Small trout caught on a barb-less hook can be
released simply by: grasping the eyelet of the
fly, and rotating the eyelet toward the bend (the U-
bend). This pulls the point backwards, back through
the way it entered. Push the eyelet directly toward the
bend until the point is removed from the fish. Large trout
can be grasped gently and forceps can be used to grip the bend
and push backwards, away from the direction the hook currently
points. If necessary, squirming trout can be held on their backs.
This often subdues the fish and provides enough time to remove
the hook.
Once the hook has been removed, return the trout into the water.
Support the trout until it stabilizes. This
includes holding the fish in water deep
enough to submerge its gills. After long
fights, it may be necessary to manually
move water past its gills. This can be
done either by holding the trout in mov-
ing water with its head facing upstream,
or, in calm water, moving the trout back-
wards and forwards repeatedly. Once
stabilized, the trout will swim off on its
own. If released prematurely, the trout,
not having enough energy to move, will
sink to the bottom of the river and suf-
focate. Take however long is necessary
to revive a trout.
Fly fishing tackle
A variety of fly reels on display at a fly
fishing show
Fly fishing tackle comprises the fishing
tackle or equipment typically used by fly
anglers. Fly fishing tackle includes:
A wide variety of Fly rods of different
weights, lengths and material are used to
present artificial flies to target species of
fish as well as fight and land fish being
caught.
A wide variety of Fly reels are used to store fly line and provide
a braking mechanism (drag) for fighting heavy or fast moving
fish.
A wide variety of general use and specialized fly lines are used
to cast artificial flies under a wide variety of fresh and saltwater
conditions.
Terminal tackle is used to connect the artificial fly to the fly line
and allow the appropriate presentation of the fly to the fish.
There are a wide variety of accessories—tools, gadgets, cloth-
ing and apparel used by the fly angler for maintenance and
preparation of tackle, dealing the fish being caught as well as
personal comfort and safety while fly fishing.
Includes fly boxes used to store and carry
artificial flies.
Fly rods are typically between 1.8 m (6 ft)
long in freshwater fishing and up to 4.5
m (15 ft) long for two-handed fishing
for salmon or steelhead, or in tenkara
fishing in small streams. The average
rod for fresh and salt water is around 9
feet (2.7 m) in length and weighs from
3 –5 ounces, though a recent trend has
been to lighter, shorter rods for fishing
smaller streams. Another trend is to
longer rods for small streams. The choice
of rod lengths and line weights used varies
according to local conditions, types of flies be-
ing cast, and/or personal preference.
When actively fishing, the angler may want to keep the
fly line lightly pressed against the rod handle with the index
finger of the casting arm. The free arm is used to pull line from
the reel or to retrieve line from the water. If a fish
strikes, the angler can pinch the line with the
index finger against the rod handle and lift the