08-26-2015, 02:10 PM
[#0000FF]As a tuber-tooner I say welcome to the dark side. Once you get the hang of navigating your new ride you will wonder how you ever got along without it. You will have to learn how to cast while sitting low to the water...but higher in a toon than a tube. That usually means you will do better with a longer rod...or a shorter cast. And fishing in stealth mode from your toon you will be able to work in closer to the fish and not have to go for a distance casting trophy.
As far as fly patterns, there are a few "standards". But you should first spend some time learning the specific waters you wish to fish...and how they change ecologically through the different seasons. What the fish feed on in early spring...and summer...and fall into winter might be widely different in size, color and location in the water column. That requires a good knowledge of line types and how to change lines to present your flies at the right depth...and at the right speed.
You also need to learn your targeted fish species and how they vary in different waters and under different conditions. The fish of one species may feed and act differently in different lakes...or even in the same lake at different times of year and under different conditions of temperature, depth and clarity.
Best case scenario is that you will be able to take a very few selected flies and catch fish on them on most waters. The reality is that you can spend a lifetime studying this sport and every day you realize just how much you don't know. But the journey makes for a lot of fun and every little success only adds to the total enjoyment.
Take advantage of any opportunity you get to look into the fly boxes of others...and to join them on the water for some personal instruction. Then visit a few tackle purveyors that have good fly fishing departments...with KNOWLEDGEABLE staff. Look at the fly patterns and size ranges...and ask questions. The better shops are usually happy to help guide newbies along the path of enlightenment. But be prepared to make at least a few small purchases to show your gratitude.
Lastly, take advantage of the internet. There are countless videos showing everything from tying various fly patterns to fishing them to proper casting techniques. Also plenty of stuff on fly fishing from a toon.
[/#0000FF]
[signature]
As far as fly patterns, there are a few "standards". But you should first spend some time learning the specific waters you wish to fish...and how they change ecologically through the different seasons. What the fish feed on in early spring...and summer...and fall into winter might be widely different in size, color and location in the water column. That requires a good knowledge of line types and how to change lines to present your flies at the right depth...and at the right speed.
You also need to learn your targeted fish species and how they vary in different waters and under different conditions. The fish of one species may feed and act differently in different lakes...or even in the same lake at different times of year and under different conditions of temperature, depth and clarity.
Best case scenario is that you will be able to take a very few selected flies and catch fish on them on most waters. The reality is that you can spend a lifetime studying this sport and every day you realize just how much you don't know. But the journey makes for a lot of fun and every little success only adds to the total enjoyment.
Take advantage of any opportunity you get to look into the fly boxes of others...and to join them on the water for some personal instruction. Then visit a few tackle purveyors that have good fly fishing departments...with KNOWLEDGEABLE staff. Look at the fly patterns and size ranges...and ask questions. The better shops are usually happy to help guide newbies along the path of enlightenment. But be prepared to make at least a few small purchases to show your gratitude.
Lastly, take advantage of the internet. There are countless videos showing everything from tying various fly patterns to fishing them to proper casting techniques. Also plenty of stuff on fly fishing from a toon.
[/#0000FF]
[signature]