Clear Fly Line

[EVAN]

Going to lake lylle this weekend and have been told to get clear fly sinking line, I have a 5-6 weight rod, Not knowing much in the fly area i was wondering are there different types, weights or anything else i should know about? And leader any brands sizes etc--- And while i'm at it nyths, is there a standard favourite? should i be using those glow bug thingies?

Rewards for knowlage will be an autoghraphed picture of me with my first trout!!!

I'm sure you will be linning up for that

Cheers Evan,

[aussiebasser]

G'day Evan,

I use a Cortland 4wt Crystal tip Sink Tip line and I'm impressed with it. Up here in Sunny Hot Queensland it can be difficult to find a line that doesn't get "sticky" in the heat. The Cortland does the trick.

[pogo]

I think what you mean is a clear intermediate,

the fly line is clear or opaque at least and sinks very slowly, they are good lines for nymphing and fishing wets and streamers and are also a good line for saltwater work, The advantage is because they sink below the surface you dont get the line wake that you do when retrieving a floating line.

Thedisadvantage is that they are harder to cast than a floater because you have to get them to the surface before you can lift the line off for a cast. If it hasnnt sunk far an extended pick up will get you under way. If its down a bit youll need to roll cast the sunken section to the surface and then pick up, or retrieve almost all the way in before you recast.

Leader, any 9 foot tapered leader should see you out of trouble, get one with a 4 or 5 pound tippet and get a spool of tippet material the same so you can replace the tippet section when it gets short (see the post about leaders).

Flies for Lyell. Olive wooly bugger, black wooly bugger, olive or green damsel fly nymph, small black and peacock spider has worked for me there as well. Cant go wrong with a darkish Gold ribbed hares ear in either nymph or soft hackle wet.

One or two with gold beads will help you fish deeper if you want to.

If your just starting out stick with the floating line for the time being it will make yiour life easier and then get an intermediate when your comfortable casting

Regards POGO

[fishauhj2]

I'll second pogo and suggest that you start with a floating line (adjust leader depending on conditions). I did some winter trout fishing in a lake from 4'-12ft' deep using sink tip and floating lines and I find floating line solution to be better because trout don't have to lug around the extra weight after they are hooked! Also, with the sinktip it creates a hinge which reduce sensitivity (at least in stillwater) and it's not as fun to use.

Lot of people use strike indicators if they are hitting very softly and it can be a boon when one's starting off. Personally, I don't use them but I can see where they can come in very handy. If you put a fly below them and the wind picks up it creates a jigging action which is very effective.

To detect strikes without a strike indicator you have to keep the line slightly in motion so you get direct connection. When the fish is mouthing the fly you can sense that the line feels "heavy" and the you set the hook gently. Trout usually will not hook themselves under still or slow water conditions. Also, I believe some of the insects living in lakes do swim well and sometimes they hit as the fly is sinking. Try to keep straight line to the fly so you can feel the take.

Good Luck!

Ted

[fishauhj2]

ps. forgot to mention: don't forget to take different size of bb shots so you can regulate the depth of the fly (less weight the better); and have spools of 4x and 5x tippet material handy so you can retie your leader if it breaks.

Ted

[EVAN]

Thanks Aussiebasser, but after talking 2 a few people and reading these replies i think ill stick to the floating line for now... Don't think i'm ready yet

Pogo--- Wow so much to learn, I did my beginer, intermediate and advanced fly course with steve williams in jindabyne, that was about 3+years ago it went for three weekends and just tought you the basic casts, nots and about flys etc-- Still knowing nothing and troutless its great to have a site like this wear people are willing to help! cheers mate.

Ted, Aswell great information, i have just been to the tackle store and picked up some flys and tippet as suggested, I had thought that trout would just hit and run and hook themselves so i'll make sure i keep the line straight, i will be doing mostly fly at night as i'm takeing my boat down and we will be trolling and flicking lures in the morning.

Thanks all again< Cheers Evan,

[fishauhj2]

Evan,

Since you mention fly fishing in the evening practice tying on flies in dim light conditions under a small flashlight (a small flexlight is good) and tying on tippets too (a double surgeion's knot is the easiest). Tying on flies and changing tippets under dim light can be real frustrating.

Have fun!

Ted