Fly Casting Basics: The 5 Essentials:

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Other languages Selection 我要阅读华文版 飞钓基础：五大要素： Saya nak Baca Dalam BM (Bahasa Malaysia) Asas Pancing Layang: Lima Elemen Utama: Fly Casting Basics: The 5 Essentials: Fly fishing is a unique and rewarding sport that can be enjoyed by people of all ages and skill levels. However, it can also be a bit intimidating for beginners, especially when it comes to casting the fly. That’s where the five essentials of fly casting come in. These five elements are the foundation of successful fly casting, and they can help you make the most of your time on the water. Maintain straight-line path of the rod tip (SLP) The SLP is the path that the tip of your fly rod travels when you cast. It should be a straight line from the start of the cast to the end. A straight line path will help you to generate a smooth, powerful cast that will deliver your fly to the target accurately. Correct casting arc for the amount of line used The casting arc is the shape of the path that the fly line travels through the air during a cast. The arc should be wider for longer casts and narrower for shorter casts. The correct arc will help you to load the rod properly and generate the power you need to cast the fly effectively. General thumb of rule:Short line = short arcLong line = long arc Correct power application Power application is the amount of force that you apply to the rod during the cast. Too much power can cause the fly line to form a tailing loop and tangle your leader or fly line. Too little power on the other hand can result in a weak cast that will not reach the target. Therefore the correct amount of power will vary depending on the length of the cast and the type of fly you are using. Correct timing and stroke The timing of the stroke is the speed and rhythm of your casting motion. The stroke should be smooth and controlled, with a pause at the end of each forward and backward motion. The correct timing will help you to generate a smooth, powerful cast that will deliver your fly to the target accurately. General thumb of rule: Short line = Short stroke = Short pauseLong line = Long stroke =  Long pause Elimination of slack line throughout the cast Slack line is any excess line that is not being pulled by the rod tip. Slack line can cause the fly to wobble or to be cast erratically. By eliminating slack line, you will ensure that your fly is presented to the fish in a natural and effective manner. All in all, mastering these five essentials will take time and practice, but it is essential for any angler who wants to be successful at fly fishing. With patience and dedication, you can learn to cast the fly accurately and confidently, which will open up a world of possibilities for you on the water. To sum it up:Short line = short stroke = Short pause = small arc = less powerLong line = long stroke = Long pause = big arc = more power

飞钓基础：五大要素：

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Other languages Selection I want to read in English Fly Casting Basics: The 5 Essentials: Saya nak Baca Dalam BM (Bahasa Malaysia) Asas Pancing Layang: Lima Elemen Utama: 飞钓基础：五大要素： 飞钓是一项独特且令人满足的运动，适合不同年龄和技能水平的人参与。然而，对于初学者来说，尤其是在进行飞钓时，可能会感到有些吓人。 这就是飞钓五大基本要素发挥作用的地方。这五个元素是成功飞钓的基础，它们可以帮助您充分利用在水上度过的时间。 保持竿尖的直线路径 (SLP) SLP是您飞钓竿尖在抛投时所经过的路径。它应该是从抛投开始到结束的直线。直线路径将帮助您产生平滑、有力的抛投，准确地将您的假蝇传递到目标处。 适当的抛投弧度(Casting Arc) 抛投弧度是飞线在过程中在空中中行进的路径的形状。对于较远的抛投，弧度应该较宽，而对于较短的抛投，弧度应该较窄。正确的弧度将帮助您正确装载竿杆并产生您抛投需要的力量。 一般规则： 短线 = 短弧长线 = 长弧 适当的力量 (Appropriate Power Application) 力量施加是您在抛投过程中施加在竿上的力量的量。过多的力量可能导致飞线形成追尾环，缠绕您的导引线或飞线。另一方面，过少的力量可能导致抛投弱，无法达到目标。因此，正确的力量量会因抛投的长度和您使用的假蝇类型而异。 正确的时机和步伐 (Timing) 时机和步伐是您抛投动作的速度和节奏。抛投应该平稳而有控制，每个前后动作结束时都应有一个暂停。正确的时机将帮助您产生平滑、有力的抛投，准确地将您的毛钩传递到目标处。 一般规则： 短线 = 短步伐 = 短的暂停长线 = 长步伐 = 长的暂停 整个抛投过程中消除松弛线 (Eliminate Slack Line) 松弛线是任何未被竿尖拉动的多余线条。松弛的线可能导致毛钩摇摆或抛投不稳定。通过消除松弛线，您将确保以自然而有效的方式向鱼类呈现您的毛钩。 总体来说，掌握这五个基本要素需要时间和实践，但对于任何想在飞钓中取得成功的钓手来说，这是至关重要的。通过耐心和奉献，您可以学会准确自信地抛投假蝇，从而为您在水上开辟无尽的可能性。 总结一下： 短线 = 短步伐 = 短的暂停 = 小弧度 = 少力量长线 = 长步伐 = 长的暂停 = 大弧度 = 多力量

Demystifying Fly Casting Distances: Understanding the Range of Your Cast

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Other languages Selection 我要阅读华文版 解密飞钓中的抛投距离：了解您抛投的范围 Saya nak Baca Dalam BM (Bahasa Malaysia) Mengungkap Misteri Jarak Pancing Layang: Memahami Jarak Casting Anda Demystifying Fly Casting Distances: Understanding the Range of Your Cast Fly fishing, an art of blending precision with artistry, captivates anglers with its unique approach to enticing fish. While mastering the intricacies of casting is crucial for success, one common question often arises: how far can one cast a fly line? The distance of a fly cast is influenced by several factors, including the angler’s skill level, rod length, weight of the fly line, and wind conditions. For beginners, achieving consistent casts of 30 to 40 feet is a realistic goal. As skills develop, experienced anglers can cast distances of 70 to 90 feet or even farther under ideal conditions. Here’s a breakdown of typical fly casting distances for different skill levels:  Beginners: 30 to 40 feet Intermediate Anglers: 50 to 70 feet Experienced Anglers: 80 to 90 feet or more Remember, while it is satisfying to be able to cast a long distance, fly fishing is not about casting the farthest; it’s about presenting the fly accurately and effectively to entice fish. Focus on developing your casting technique, understanding the wind conditions, and selecting the appropriate fly line for the situation. With practice and dedication, you’ll soon be casting with precision and enjoying the thrill of fly fishing.

解密飞钓中的抛投距离：了解您抛投的范围

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Other languages Selection I want to read in English Demystifying Fly Casting Distances: Understanding the Range of Your Cast Saya nak Baca Dalam BM (Bahasa Malaysia) Mengungkap Misteri Jarak Pancing Layang: Memahami Jarak Casting Anda 解密飞钓中的抛投距离：了解您抛投的范围 飞钓，一门将精准与艺术融为一体的技艺，以其独特的方式吸引着钓手。虽然掌握抛投的复杂性对成功至关重要，但一个问题经常出现：飞钓到底可以抛多远呢？ 飞钓的距离受到多种因素的影响，包括钓手的技能水平、竿的长度、飞钓线的重量和风况。对于初学者来说，实现30到40英尺的距离是一个现实的目标。随着技能的发展，经验丰富的钓手在理想条件下可以抛出70到90英尺甚至更远的距离。 以下是不同技能水平的典型抛投距离： 初学者：30到40英尺中级钓手：50到70英尺经验丰富的钓手：80到90英尺或更多 记住，虽然能够抛出远距离令人满足，但飞钓并不是关于抛得最远的事情；鱼会更在乎准确和有效地呈现毛钩以引诱鱼类。专注于发展您的抛投技术，了解风况，并为情况选择适当的飞线。通过练习，您将很快能够精准的抛投并享受飞钓的刺激。

How to Catch & Release?

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As the word is spreading about the benefits of C & R, it has become the “in” thing to do. You can see increasing number of posts on social media showing happy fly fishermen releasing their hard earned trophy catch. However, anyone stop to think what happens to the fish after the photo is taken and the video is shot? Does the fish swim away, living happily ever after in the waters of far far away? What are the chances of survival for the released fish? It can be very high or very low depending on many factors, but one thing is for sure, we can definitely increase the survival rate if we do C & R properly. C & R doesn’t mean throwing the fish back into the water after unhooking it. Let’s look at the 3 phases of C & R.   Catching and Playing the fish A good C & R starts with the catching the fish. Use proper equipment for the job. It may look cool and might earn you more bragging rights if you catch a huge fish on flimsy line. The prolonged fight might cause the fish to tire beyond recovery. Fish caught and fought to exhaustion will not live to fight another day. Use also barbless hooks, barbless hooks may be hard to come by in this part of the world, but we can all make do. Just use a strong pair of pliers and crimped the barb. This makes unhooking the fish easier and most of the time, the fish doesn’t need to leave the water. Barbless hooks also make cause less damage to the fish’s delicate mouth and won’t tear the mouth when it is removed. Use heavier tippet. Fish may have good eyesight and some fish are line shy, but if you use fluorocarbon lines, it is practically invisible in the water. Using heavier tippet will give you the confidence to land the fish quicker. A tired fish may take longer to recover and while it is resting, it may be attacked by other predators.   Landing the fish Landing the fish is the most harmful part of the process for the fish. It is quite common to see the fish being pulled onto the grass, rock and even the sandy bank. This will rub off the slime coating on the fish. This slime protects the fish from infections and diseases. Also, wet your hands before you hold the fish. A dry hand is more likely to remove this layer of slime. Put the fish on a wet towel or a mat. Use a landing net if the fish is still very green or is too large to be handled by hand. Use a large rubber net as the string nets have knots which can hurt the fish. As much as possible keep the net in the water and remove the hook. If you need to lift the fish out of the water, use on hand to hold its tail and the other to support its belly. Have a firm grip to ensure that the fish doesn’t fall when it struggles. A fall to the rocks can be fatal to the fish. Remember a fish can’t breathe out of the water. Imagine holding your breath the entire duration you have the fish out of the water.   Releasing the fish When holding the fish, do not squeeze it. The fish depends on water buoyancy to support its weight. When it is out of the water, the internal organ will be compressed by its own weight. It makes sense to keep the fish in the water. Remove the hook quickly by reversing the direction of the hook entry. If the fish is hooked deep in the throat, cut the line as close to the hook as possible. The hook will fall out on its own. If your fish is too exhausted, revive the fish by allowing the water to gently flow over over its gill. Position the head of the fish in the direction of the flowing water. When the fish tries to swim away, just release your grip and let it swim on its own. This might take a few seconds to a few minutes.   Photographing your catch It is understandable that you will want to photograph your prize catch. Choose the fish that you want to photograph. If will be silly to photograph every single fish that you catch. The best way to photograph your fish is to leave your fish in the net and get your camera ready. Set the timer and lift the fish out of the water only when you are ready to shot. Tis makes for a more dramatic photo that one of a fish drying out in the sun. Have a shot of you releasing a fish. This will make it more meaningful

Catching to RELEASE?

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Why do people go fly fishing? Is it for the joy and pride of telling the world what a skilled fisherman they are? Or is it to be out in nature, enjoying the beauty of nature either alone or in the company of close friends? Whatever the reasons, it makes sense to practice catch and release. Catch and what? Catch and release. The act of catching the fish, unhooking it and then gently releasing it back to its natural habitat. Isn’t it counter productive to release a fish that you have tried so hard to catch? Why release when you wanted to catch in the first place? For a start, Catch & Release ensures that the fish numbers don’t get depleted and there is always a chance for others or maybe even yourself to enjoy catching the same fish time and time again. A live fish in the water is worth much more than one on the dinner table. C & R also allows the fish to maintain its number and reproduce to ensure the sustainability of the species. Time and time again, we have heard of rivers, lakes and even parts of the seas being depleted of fish. This is bad news for fishermen and anglers, but there is also a hidden side not many are aware of. The balance of the ecosystem will be negatively affected too. Every species in the ecosystem has a role to play, no matter how small or insignificant it may seem. The world is about balance and nothing upsets this balance when a secondary and tertiary consumer is removed from the food web. Fish biologist will tell you that the longer the fish live and the bigger they grow, they will have more time to collect pollutants, toxins and harmful chemicals from their surroundings. A big fish may look good for the table, but we may unsuspectingly be poisoning ourselves. When we release the bigger fish, we are releasing mature fish that are ready to spawn and ensure the continuation of the fish that we love to catch. It also makes economic sense to practice C & R. Anglers spend good money to travel to fishing location. Imagine the amount of money spent on gear, transport, accommodation… If the area is depleted of fish, it will no longer attract angles and the local economy will be affected. All of the above have been said and discussed many times over. Some might argue that C & R is is cruel and cause unnecessary suffering to the fish. And some say that it is not right for us to cause harm to our fellow creatures. My take on this is; before we truly understand the beauty of nature, we will not have a personal agenda to save it. I have been fishing for many years and have gone through the various stages of fishing; catching and bringing home everything to selective C & R and now to mostly C & R. As a casting instructor, I actively promote fly fishing and I see this as a great platform to educate anglers on the importance to practice conservation and preservation of our nature. A small price to be paid for the bigger good to the environment. Education is the tool that we must have to start creating change.      

You need a reel too?

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You need a reel too? Brandon Ho FFI CCI Now you have got yourself a fly rod, there are only 3 other things that you will need before you are ready to go catch that fish. Time to get a reel. Many will tell you that a reel’s main purpose is just to store line. There is no purpose for it during the cast and doesn’t help you land fish. The rod does all that. One might be better off just buying the cheapest reel in the market. Before you bolt out the door to get that reel, just spend a few minutes to read this. Think for a moment about the fish that you are going to catch. Is it a small fish in a clear mountain stream or a feisty giant snakehead in the sweltering heat of a tropical lake or even the acrobatic sailfish in the blue ocean? There is a different reel to cater to every occasion. You will need to consider the conditions of fishing, whether in fresh water or salt water, how much backing can the reel accommodate, does the reel need strong stopping power… The considerations are endless and mind boggling. Here we are just going to focus on the essentials to get you started. Reel manufacturing process Die cast This method of production involves pouring molten alloy or injected into moulds. This process was first used by Hardy in the early 20th century. This is the technology that pushes the price of the reel down. Good news for the fly fishers. It also allows manufacturers to be creative in designing reels that is impossible to be accomplished with a machining process. However, there is a setback. Die casting is not as precise as machining, causing some reels to feel flimsy and may not be as durable as machined reels. CNC machining CNC stands for Computer Numerical Control, a manufacturing process which uses computers to control machine tools, including lathes, routers and grinders. The material used to create the reels are usually aerospace grade aluminum. The parts are then anodized to prevent corrosion, making them suitable for saltwater use. The reels are made to precise tolerances and are lightweight, strong and if used properly, will last a long time. Having considered all the technologies and space age materials that are put into the construction of this reel, the price will definitely be higher that a die cast reel. Reel design There are basically 3 main designs of fly reels. The arbor is the one that one have to take a closer look at when choosing a reel. The arbor refers to the distance from the center spindle to the base of the spool. Standard Arbor This is the traditional reel design, used mostly for trout fishing. It has a smaller arbor and the frame is narrow. This design can hold a lot of line but the it has a lower retrieval rate as with each rotation of the handle, the spool only rotate once and the retrieve is very much depended on the diameter of the spool. With the small diameter of the spool, the line is coiled into a smaller diameter, creating more memory into the fly line, causing the  line to coil and suffer from memory coil. However, this is not a big problem as the solution to this is just to pull the line to straighten it. Mid Arbor As the name suggest, this design is between the standard and large. The reel is wider giving it the capacity to hold more line and also increasing the retrieval rate. The larger diameter also reduces the occurrences of memory coil. Large Arbor This is the latest design in reel manufacturing. They are much larger than the other two designs for the same line rating. This larger arbor gives a faster retrieval rate and reduces memory coil. One downside of this is that the line capacity might be reduced. However, the modern designs are larger, increasing the line capacity. The use of modern designs are highly machine to reduce as much weight as possible without weakening the structure of the reel. Drag System When a strong fish pulls line out of your reel, you will want a drag system that will allow you to apply pressure to the fish to tire it out. The amount of drag you need will very much depend on the of fish you are targeting. If you are targeting small mountain fish, there is really no need for a powerful drag as most of the time, you will not get a chance to fight the fish off the reel. The story will be different if you are targeting the fast running fish such as the bone fish or Giant Trevally where they will pull the line out to the backing with a single run. You will need a good strong yet smooth drag. Spring and Pawl This is the traditional drag system. You might know it better by its other name, clicker drag. This system employs a cog mechanism that applies pressure to the spindle. It looks like a loaded spring pawl which engages a small gear. As the line is pulled out of the spool, it causes the pawl to ratchet against the tooth of the gear, giving it the unmistakable clicking sound. As you can imagine, it doesn’t give a lot of stopping power. This system is useful when the fish doesn’t have much running power. The advantage of this drag is that it is light and will be a good fit for lighter rods. Pros – lightweight Cons – light drag that doesn’t offer strong stopping power Disc Drag This drag works on the concept of compressing washers to create friction so as to apply tension on the spool as line is being pulled out. The washers are usually made from a variety of material. Cork washer are very widely used in disc drag as it compresses and rebounds gradually, giving it a very smooth startup.…

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I want to buy a fly rod!

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I want to buy a fly rod! Brandon Ho FFI CCI After deciding that you finally want to pick up fly fishing, the next question is: What type of fly rod should I buy? There is no easy answer for this as there are literally hundreds if not thousands of different types of rods out there, from cheap fly rods that cost no more than a good meal at a restaurant to one this is expensive enough to use as a down payment for a car. How does one simply decide on what to buy? First, let’s take a look at what function does a fly rod perform? A fly rod basically does 3 things: 1)    Casting the fly line – the rod serves to launch the fly line out, presenting the fly to the fish 2)    Controlling the movement of the fly – once the line is on the water, the fly fisher needs to move the fly in a way that would entice the fish to grab it and swim away. This is accomplished by using one hand to strip the line in through the guides of the rod. 3)    Hooking and fighting the fish – when a fish takes the fly, the fly fisher will use the rod to help set the hook and then control the movement of the fish using the rod to tire and control the fish until it is ready to be landed. How to choose a fly rod? Weight If you are to go to a fly shop tell the shop assistant that you want to buy a fly rod, get ready to answer a few questions. The first and most important question would be: What do you want to catch? The answer will affect other aspects of the equipment that you will need. The fly rod comes in many different sizes or weights ranging from wt 1 for small fish in small jungle streams to wt 6 for larger fish like jungle perch (sebarau) and to wt 12 for the speeding sailfish, and some bigger rods up to wt 14 for the offshore pelagic like giant tuna and marlin. ————- Action Once you have determined the size, you will need to decide on the action of the rod. Modern rods typically comes in 3 different actions. Actions refer to the flexibility of the rod of how much the rod flexes. The action depends on how much the rod bends during a cast. The 3 different types of actions are: 1)    Fast action (tip flex) Fast action rod or sometimes refer to tip flex rods as the name suggest is a rod that flexes at the tip. The rest of the length of the rod remains fairly straight. Since it bends only at the tip, it will take a shorter time for it to bounce back to its original position, hence the name fast action. 2)    Medium action (mid flex) This types of rod starts bending from the middle of the rod, giving more time for the rod to bounce back to its original position. This is a more versatile rod and in my opinion, an easier rod to cast and more forgiving when a not so perfect cast is executed. 3)    Slow action (full flex) As the name suggest, this rod bends the most, at the lower half of the rod. It requires a longer time to return to its original position after the cast. This type of rod is perfect for fly presentation. It is also more fun to fight a fish as it is a very flexible rod, allowing the fish to bend the rod with its every run. ————- Fly rod length Fly rods usually come in the range of 6 feet to 15 feet. The different lengths are used for different purposes. The length of the rod does affect the casting distance. Usually, a shorter rod is used in small streams with limited casting space. The shorter rod tends to be more flexible and has less backbone to fight large fish. For longer rods, it is easier to cast long distance and gives more control over the fish. For rods of 10 feet or more are usually spey rods or double handed rods. The more common length of rods are 8 to 9 feet. It is more practical to cast and has the widest general use, from accuracy casting to gaining a bit more distance to reach the fish. ————- Final considerations How many pieces? Due to the length of the fly rod, it usually comes in 2, 4 or more pieces for ease of storage and transport. In the past, the concern with the guides and finishing would affect the performance of the rod. That push was for the fly fishers to go for a few pieces as possible, but with the improvement in technology, these issues have become almost a non-issue. Material With the advancement in technology, newer materials are used to construct fly rod, each bringing its own advantage to the rod performance. Graphite – this is the game changer when first introduced in the early 1970s. This material allows rod manufacturer to make lighter, stronger, more sensitive and durable rods. Many of today’s rods are made using this material. Boron – this material was originally used in aerospace design. Boron fibers are usually added to the blank to make it stronger and more sensitive. Boron fibers on its own is very brittle and hard to work it. Fiberglass – is making a comeback to fly rod scene. There is a good follower of fiberglass rods. Some casters like the slower action of the rods as compares to the faster graphite rods. This allow the casters to enjoy a slower casting stroke. The softer action also allows the rod to be cast at a more confine space as it loads well even with less line out. Another reason for its popularity is the enjoyment one gets from fighting a fish. The fight from a small fish is greatly emphasized by the fiberglass rod.…

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What is Fly Fishing?

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What is fly fishing? By Brandon Ho, FFI CCI Fly fishing is a sport rather than a commercial activity where one would catch a huge number of fish and sell the fish for a profit while depleting the natural resources and destroying nature in the process. As a fly angler, the aim of this activity is to pit one’s skills against the intelligence of the finned creatures in the beauty of nature. The joy comes not from bringing home the carcass of a dead fish but releasing the beautiful fish back to its home, knowing that you have enjoyed nature in a responsible and sustainable way. So, how do we go about fly fishing? To start, we will need to get the gear ready. Contrary to popular believe, fly fishing is not a hobby for the super-rich, but an affordable pastime anyone can participate regardless of background and age. Let’s get started. __________________________________ The Gear All you need to get started are: 1)    A fly rod 2)    A fly reel 3)    A fly line and backing 4)    A fly leader 5)    Flies __________________________________ The Fly Rod A fly rod can range from 6 feet to 15 feet with the 9 feet rod being the most popular for its practicability and easy of casting. The rod comes in different weights from 0 weight to 14 weight used for tackling big tunas, marlins are other strong fighting pelagic. A 5 or 6 weight would be a good place to start. __________________________________ The Reel A fly reel’s basic function is to hold line as most of the time are fish fighting is limited to handlining the fish in. However, it you are hooked up onto a fast running fish with lasting stamina, a smooth drag is essential to prevent being broken by the run. Fly reels also come in different sizes. Choose a reel that matches the rod. __________________________________ The Fly Line and Backing The fly line is the main things that allows the fly to be cast out to the fish. This is usually a braided line or a mono line covered with a layer of polymer. It is this layer of polymer that determines the characteristic of the fly line; floating, intermediate or sinking lines. Also not forgetting the sink tip where the tip of the fly line sinks while the rest of the line floats. The fly line comes in different weights with different characteristics. Choose the line that matches the type of fish you are targeting. __________________________________ The Leader The leader is a length of nylon that connects the fly to the fly line. The length of the leader is usually the same length of the fly rod but then again it depends on the type of fishing you are doing. The leader can either be monofilament or fluorocarbon, where both has its own pros and cons. __________________________________ Flies This is the component that attracts the fish. A fly is usually an imitation of the prey that the target fish usually feed on or it can be attractive fly that plays on the fish predatory instinct. The fish will strike the fly because it just happens to swim across its path. Flies are usually made from either natural materials such a fur or feather bound together with thread. Now there are more and more synthetic material that can be used to make flies. The fly is where the term fly fishing comes from. Are you now ready to start your fly fishing adventure? Contact us to begin a new fishing adventure. __________________________________ Looking for more fly tying materials? Click the link below for our online store. Chasing the Belum Sebarau on fly Blog / By flytiecast Chasing the Belum Sebarau on fly Hampala macrolepidota or better know locally as sebarau, is a much sought after fresh water gamefish in Malaysia. These freshwater wolves can be found in clear rivers and streams, which flow through pristine rainforest hunting small fish and freshwater prawns. They can also be found in large water reservoirs. The focus of this article here is on the sebarau in Royal Belum, in the state of Perak. Being a predatory fish, you can imagine the speed and strength of these fish. They are good fighters if you are able to hook them. Hooking them is another big challenge. They like to hide among deep sunken trees and snags. You must be prepared to lose some flies when targeting them. These fish are mostly active during the morning and evening hours. During these time, popper flies are effective. You will be able to see them rise neat the trees and also vegetation. Cast your popper in the direction of the rise and let the ripple smoothen out then move your popper with short moderate retrieve, creating loud splashes. The sebarau take on the surface popper is heart stopping. Out of a sudden you see a splash and the popper disappears into the water and at almost the same time, you fly line tightens and you are on to a challenging fight. At this moment, the fight is in the fish’s advantage. It will head down to the nearest snags while trying to shake off the annoying hook. Going barbless increases the odds of the fish winning. When the sun is high up in the sky and the temperature increases, these fish will hide deep in the snags, avoiding the heat. This is the time to break out your sinking line. Casting accuracy is key to winning this game. Look out for sunken trees and cast out as close as you can to the branches underwater. Allow the fly to sink almost to the bottom before starting a quick retrieve. The fish are attracted to fast moving flies as their natural prey are fast swimming baitfish. Small sebarau will take light taps at your fly but a huge one will engulf your fly and head to the snags. Quick reflexes are essential to successfully landing these fresh water wolves. The sebarau in Royal Belum can…

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Fly Fishing vs Normal Fishing

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Let’s start with the similarities. Both are effective ways of catching fish. If the intention is to catch fish, why is there a need to use different methods to do the same thing? My opinion on this is; how much fun do you want in the process of catching fish?   Equipment Normal fishing requires the use of a spinning rod, reel, fishing line (either monofilament or braided line), hooks, sinker, bait or lure. Fly fishing uses a fly rod, reel, backing, fly line, tippet, leader and flies.   Presentation Normal fishing depends on the heavy lure or sinker as a weight to be cast out towards the fish. Fly fishing uses the fly line as the weight to cast the light fly out towards the fish.   Cost It takes very little to start fishing and for normal fishing, anywhere below RM 150 can get you a decent set up. On the other hand, fly fishing equipment tend to be a little pricier. You can get a fly fishing combo for around RM 600.   Effectiveness in catching fish Both are effective ways of catching fish and certain skills are required to master both methods of fishing. The learning curve for fly fishing is undeniably steeper but the satisfaction is much more compared to normal fishing.   Final thoughts Normal fishing with bait or lures are more result oriented and at times can out fish fly fishing. However, fly fishing is considered by many as the purist’s way of catching fish. The core idea is to challenge the fly fisher to be a better angler. It allows you to be more observant of your surroundings as the flies are imitation of the natural diet the fish consume. You become a learning angler and pay attention to your surrounding, enjoying nature as it is intended to be. To understand nature is the first step to loving nature and it will go a long way in the conservation and preservation of our fragile environment.