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How To Go Fly Fishing Without a Fly Rod or Reel
Bubble Float and Fly Rigging Fly fishing is an angling method in which an artificial 'fly' is used to catch fish. The fly is cast using a fly rod, reel, and specialized weighted line. Casting a nearly weightless fly or lure requires casting techniques significantly different from other forms of casting; such as the spinning reel or spincaster. Today, you can accomplish the fly fishing techniques using any rod and reel, refrain from having to learn how to cast a fly rod and reel, let alone having to even purchase a fly rod and reel! It's all in the "Bubble" Is this technically fly fishing? To the fly fishing traditionalist, this is blasphemy. On the other hand . . . . . . You're fishing with a fly!
Just
about any fly you can buy or tie can be fished with this method and
is generally considered one of the most efficient methods for fishing. A bubble float fisher will generally out fish both fly and spinreel fishers. The most common shape for plastic bubbles used in fly and bubble fishing is a teardrop-shape, with the thicker end facing the rod and the narrower end facing the lure. Some anglers prefer a more tapered bubble that is at its thickest in the center and equally narrow on either end, while others prefer spherical bubbles As I said, any basic spin set up will do, however, a 6' 6" - 7' light power, fast action rod is the best as the long length allows for long casting distances. Any smooth reel with a good drag will work. Make sure the drag is good as this is a light line technique. A quality, clear 4 lb. monofilament line is a must, and fluorocarbon is preferred. The reel should have a smooth-functioning bail and retrieving action and a good quality drag to handle the light lines the fly and bubble technique calls for. How To Set Up a Rod and Reel with The Bubble Attach the bubble to the end of your line. The bubble can be filled with water, and adds as extra weight, allowing you to cast your line out further into the water. For now you just need to run it through your line. Most fishing bubbles have a tube that runs through the middle of the bubble. Shove your line through the bubble and tie your line to the end of an eyelet or a small swivel using a clinch knot. The eyelet will prevent the bubble from falling off the line. Tie a leader onto your fishing line using either a nail knot or an Albright knot. A blood knot is the best; however, it is a little tougher for a beginner to tie. Fishing leader is a very thin type of line which you need to attach to your main fishing line coming out of your reel. The reason you want to use fishing leader is because it is much thinner than standard fishing line and hard to see for fish. After you tied the eyelet onto the end of your main fishing line, you can use the other side of the eyelet to tie the fishing leader onto. You need to measure off 3 to 4 feet of fishing leader and snip off the remainder. Your pole now should have fishing line running out of the reel, a bubble attached, with a metal eyelet dividing the end of the fishing line to 3 to 4 feet of fishing leader. Some anglers favor a length of 6 feet for wet flies and 9 feet for dry flies, while others prefer a length of 5 to 7 feet regardless of the type of fly being fished. You may want to experiment with varying lengths according to weather and water conditions and your own preferences. Now that you have 3 to 4 feet of fishing leader, you need to connect an artificial fly to the end of your leader. All flies work in different circumstances. Pick the fly you want to use and tie it onto the line using a clinch knot.
After the artificial fly is attached to the end of the leader, you are now ready to fish. Once you are in your fishing location, fill the bubble with water. Most bubbles feature a stopper you can push in to fill the bubble with as much water as necessary to provide casting weight without hampering the fly's action. Generally, for fishing dry flies, which are designed to fish on the surface, you should fill the bubble about half-full so that it will still float on the water after being cast, while for wet flies, which are designed to be fished underwater, you should fill the bubble completely. (Some anglers even add a couple of small split shot to the line to increase the fly's running depth.) Now cast your line out into the water. Casting sidearm prevents your leader from casting on overhead branches or otherwise snapping, casting sidearm will permit the bubble to lead the fly during the cast (much like weighted lines lead the leader in fly casting) and let the fly land naturally. Count down the fly if fishing it underwater. Submerged flies should be let fall to a depth of 5 to 10 feet before you begin your retrieve. You can test the rate of fall by dropping the fly and bubble in the water and note how long it takes to fall to a particular depth. When you cast the fly, you can count down to this same depth before starting your retrieve. Slowly reel in and repeat the process until you land a fish. If set up properly, your line will serve as your guide, while the fishing leader will disguise the rest of the line, fooling the fish into thinking it's a standard fly sitting on top of the water by itself. Flies fished on or near the surface should be presented as though they're drifting with the current toward shore, with occasional twitches to mimic struggling. Submerged flies should be fished with a stop-and-go action or with slow pulls to simulate a swimming minnow or crustacean. Your bubble should cause a slight wake in calm water to provide sufficient resistance to the line to help you distinguish between when a fish hits the fly and when the fly hits something else. Set the hook with a short, sharp motion. This will help drive the hook home. If you fail to set the hook, return to the same slow retrieve you were using. The fish may think it only injured the fly and will want to move in for the kill. When you do hook a fish, keep the rod low and constant pressure on the line to keep the fish from leaping out of the water and throwing the hook. Keeping the rod low puts the surface tension of the water, as well as the rod's action, to work for you and against the fish.
Presentation for Fly Fishing With A Bubble Float Presentation is simple: cast and retrieve. Try different retrieve speeds until you find what the fish are looking for. Experiment with different leader lengths. The strike will range from a slight nudge (crappie are notoriously light biters) to a strong hit (trout are notoriously strong biters). Pay very close attention to the bubble, it will often at times begin to move backwards ever so slightly or dip the slightest bit before you feel anything. For panfish, carp, and bass, matching the hatch isn't very important. What's more important is finding a fly that they can see and presenting it at their level. Anything with a little flash (flashback pheasant tail) or good contrast (prince nymph) is usually effective. Keep experimenting with different leader lengths and retrieve speeds. This technique is as effective if not more effective as live bait! Cast and retrieve the fly along obvious structural elements, like weed lines, rocks, and fallen trees. Early in the season, find areas that warm quickly or fish drop-off areas. During the summer when fish are spawning, drag the fly at a moderate speed right over the visibly schooling/bedding panfish and you should catch more than you'll know what to do with. Trout are a different prey altogether. The key with trout is finding the right fly. Trout, with their good eyesight, will travel a ways to get to a well-presented fly, so finding the right depth and speed isn't as important as it is with panfish. Keep an eye out for insects coming off the water, or try to match what you find on rocks under the water. Since trout don't really relate to structure, Try fan-casting the open water until you happen upon a school. In moving water, seek out pools, beaver ponds, and other still water areas where you can cast and retrieve.
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