10 Fly Fishing Forums: Fishing Discussions & Reports

Reddit >> Fly Fishing

Fly Fishing is a Reddit forum for anglers who wish to pursue their favorite fish. The forum holds the top 1% rank and has 338k members. You can upvote or downvote posts, share them, and comment on them to engage in a discussion. The forum is a great medium to learn about future events and meet-ups.

Website: https://www.reddit.com/r/flyfishing/

Stripers Online Forum - Fly Fishing

Stripers Online Form discusses rods, reels, fly lines, flies, destinations, charters, casting, and anything else you need to know about. Whether it is about recent meetups, questions regarding fly fishing, or trips, the online forum covers most of it.

Website: https://www.stripersonline.com/surftalk/forum/10-fly-fishing/

Fly Fusion Forums

Fly Fusion Forums is another great online forum that provides valuable information related to fly fishing through blogs, pictures, news, etc. It also has different forums for sponsor announcements, fly-tying benches, special events, entomology, and trading. At present, the forum has 5,646 members, 21.5k topics, and 209.9k posts.

Website: https://flyfusionforums.com/board/

Must-Have Fly Fishing Gear

During fly fishing, a fly is cast using specialized gears such as fly rods, lines, or reels to catch the fish in saltwater or freshwater. With this idea, the fish might bite on an imitated bait fish or a bug below the water. Some essential equipment such as fly rods, reels, line, and artificial weights are required for fly fishing, but here are some more equipment you might need:

Fly Rod

Fly rods come in various sizes depending on the fish you plan to catch. For example, a fly rod of size 2-6wt is suitable for a trout, whereas for a smaller trout in a narrow stream, you can consider a fly rod size of 2-3wt. A good fly rod should be affordable, versatile, and easy to cast for different angling situations.

Fly Reel

Two primary parameters while choosing a fly reel include drag settings and balance. Drag setting can determine how hard you must pull the fly before releasing it from the reel. If the drag setting is high, it may become harder to draw the line. Balance is determined by the reel's weight, and you can also buy a reel rod combo to balance each other out.

Fly Line

The fly line is a thicker string than the backing, connecting the backing from one end to the leader. Fly line consists of different designs, which are also known as tapers. While selecting your fly line, you must ensure that it matches the size of your rod and is an all-purpose line.

Backing

Backing is a thin string connecting the fly to the reel. It is a basic gear and usually of similar quality regardless of the brand.

Tippet

A tippet is attached to the end of the leader (a section of material connecting the fly line to the fly). It comprises monofilament or fluorocarbon and needs to be attached to the leader after 3-4 fly changes. For different fishing situations, it is essential to buy one spool of tippet. You can buy a monofilament tippet for better floating if you need a lighter one. Fluorocarbon tippet can sink faster, but it is difficult for the fish to see underwater. For fly sizes of 12-16, buy a 5x tippet, 18-20, and a 6x tippet, and for fly sizes of 22-24, you can buy a size 7x.

Floatant

A floatant or fly floatant helps the fly stay longer inside the water. There are two types: gel and power. A Silicone gel floatant comes in a tube containing a liquid that is applied to the fly. Similarly, a power floatant is applied to the fly using a brush after the fly becomes waterlogged.

Here is a table listing all the fishing gear you need for fly fishing:

You might need electronic gear while fly fishing, such as an LED smart electric light float, a smartphone tether, and camera retractors. With electronic devices, it is necessary to have a backup power source like the Jackery Portable Power Station so that you never run out of power and can charge your appliances whenever you need to.

Jackery Portable Power Stations for Fly Fishing

Jackery is a US-based leading manufacturer that stands out for its sustainable and eco-friendly Jackery Solar Generators, Jackery SolarSaga Solar Panels, and Jackery Portable Power Station. Solar panels capture sunlight and convert it into electrical energy using silicon cells. This electric energy is stored in battery-powered power stations. The power station has a built-in inverter that converts DC into AC to supply electricity to the appliances. The power stations are portable, compact, and lightweight and can be used for fishing. These use clean and green energy to charge the electrical gear you need during fly fishing.

Jackery Explorer 500 Portable Power Station

The Jackery Explorer 500 Portable Power Station supports multiple appliances and multiple charging methods. It is a quiet power station, meaning it won’t harm the natural environment while charging your devices while you are fishing. Its lightweight and portable design makes it straightforward to carry for outdoor adventures and sporting adventures like fly fishing.

Appliance Working Hours

• Camera (50W): 8.8H
• Boat Light (60W): 7.33H
• Foot Switch (100W): 4.4H
• Electrode Pole (75W): 5.8H
• Mini Electrofishing Lights (36W): 12.2H

Customer Review

“ It works as intended, holds charge for months when shut off without losing anything, is handy and not too big or heavy, and is truly a fantastic product.” -- D

Jackery Explorer 300 Plus Portable Power Station

The Jackery Explorer 300 Plus Portable Power Station is ideal for camping, road trips, fishing, and outdoor adventures. Its foldable solar panels are the size of a book and can easily fit into your backpack. It can also charge multiple devices simultaneously with multiple charging options.

Appliance Working Hours

• Camera (50W): 4.9H
• Boat Light (60W): 4.08H
• Foot Switch (100W): 2.4H
• Electrode Pole (75W): 3.3H
• Mini Electrofishing Lights (36W): 6.8H

Customer Review

"I like the Jackery 300 for its ease of use, reliability, and design. I use it daily to charge my iPhone and iPad mini; they barely use any wattage to charge. " -- Rusty Kerr

Jackery Explorer 100 Plus Portable Power Station

The Jackery Explorer 100 Plus Portable Power Station is a sustainable next-generation power system that is toxin-free and operates quietly. It can charge three devices simultaneously and is lightweight to be taken abroad quickly. It provides reliable charging for sensitive devices, including electrical gear for fly fishing.

Appliance Working Hours

• Camera (50W): 1.7H
• Tablet (60W): 1.4H
• Macbook (90W): 0.9H
• Game Controller (75W): 1.1H

Customer Review

“Excellent item to pack for a weekend trip. Charge your phone, run a fan or radio. Great for camping. Emergencies. Great to charge a tablet if you are a craft show flea market vendor.” -- Brian Johnson

Fly Fishing Species

Fly fishing is also known as the trout fishing method and is a freshwater angling technique to catch various fish species. It uses artificial flies to target species such as snook and redfish. If you combine appropriate gears and know some casting methods, you can fly fish in any water. Flies come in patterns and sizes, such as micro sizes of 28-24 flies. These are the bulk of what trout eat. Whereas there are bigger sizes of 6,4, or 2, which utilize different casting techniques.

Some fly fishing species are trout, Salmon, Redfish, Golden Mahseer, Muskie, Carp, etc. In Pensacola, the best time to fly fish is spring season. In winter on the Gulf Coast, you will find many Redfish, while the spring season is also best for Sheepshead and Redfish. Pensacola Beach is famous for Trout, Albacore, Spanish Mackerel, and Tarpons.

Some unique and special fishing species in Pensacola are:

• Red Snapper
• Mingo Snapper
• Wahoo
• Bonito
• Jack Crevalle
• Grouper
• Tripletail
• Redfish
• Sea Trout
• Flounder
• Sheepshead
• Spanish Mackerel
• Pompano
• Amberjack

You will likely hook snappers fishing offshore, such as Red Snappers and Mangrove Snappers. On the coasts of Florida, you may find a decent-sized Mingo Snapper and the Gulf Of Mexico is excellent for Wahoo fishing. Bonitos are small tuna types that can be a bait for catching big species. You may find a Jack Crevalle in the Atlantic Ocean between May and September.

Here is the list of 10 places to fly fish in Pensacola

• Chicken Bone Beach
• Fort Pickens Beaches
• Pensacola Pier
• Fort Pickens Bay Side
• Fort Pickens Pier
• 3 Mile Bridge
• Palafox Pier
• Bob Sikes Bridge
• Opal Beach
• Pensacola Public Beaches

Where to Go Fly Fishing

There are popular destinations known for their breathtaking landscape and unique culture that have many spots for fly fishing with various small and big fishes. Here are some global destinations that you might love to explore the next time you go out for fly fishing:

Texas

The Texas Hill Country, Guadalupe River, San Marcos River, Comal River, and Llano River are some famous fly fishing destinations in the state for small and large mount bass, which is also the state fish of Texas. Other natives of the Hill Country include Rio Grande Cichlids and Perch. Rainbow trout and brown trout are often found in the streams of the Guadalupe River.

Arkansas

Arkansans is covered with lush green hills and limestone cliffs and has crystal clear rivers fed with springs with bass and trout fishing. Blue trout are primarily found in white rivers along with other trout species.

Colorado

Colorado has excellent angling opportunities and a never-ending supply of wild trout. Some of the state's iconic streams include the Frying Pan River, Crystal River, Eagle River, and South Platte River. The most popular trout species are rainbow, cutthroat, and brown trout.

Michigan

Many of Michigan's forests and streams are untouched and filled with fish species. The state is home to famous rivers such as the Huroon, Au Sable, and Manistee rivers. Anglers can find brown trout and some giant burrowing mayflies. Fly-eating carp are found at Beaver and Mackinaw, whereas the Menominee River is one of the best smallmouth bass fishing destinations on Earth.

Florida

Florida is one of the top saltwater fishing destinations in the United States. It allows fishers to catch some unique species that are only found in South America. Some species found in the salt waters of Florida include tarpons, redfish, snook, and permits.

Montana

The rich waters of Rock Creek flow southeast of Missoula for more than 50 miles. This place is famous for trout: rainbow, brown, and cutthroat. The views of Montana skies through the Lolo National Forest are worth seeing.

West Virginia

West Virginia is home to Bluestone National Scenic River, Gorge National Park, and the Gauley River. You can find smallmouth bass and trout in the area.

Alaska

Alaska is home to Arctic grayling, rainbow trout, and Pacific salmon. You might also spot some land animals in this northernmost state and enjoy a gourmet meal program.

Colorado

The Blue River splits from the Colorado River and reaches the Gore Range. You may need to kayak or canoe to stretch the river by yourself.

Wyoming

Wyoming offers the opportunity to catch fine-spotted cutthroat trout in the Snake River. This indigenous species is particularly abundant across Idaho and Wyoming, past the town of Jackson Hole.

Fly Fishing Tips & Techniques

If you have a fly rod but haven’t been able to fly fishing due to specific reasons, there are a few tips you must know before you set your base:

Learn Casting

You can learn fly casting by watching YouTube videos and practicing swinging your stick in your backyard. It might be possible that you do it in the wrong way first in front of someone else when you start. If you are not tangled in your line during the fishing trip, you might not do it right. The information you take from long casting lessons will improve your skills exponentially.

Choose Your Gear Wisely

You can spend dollars buying multiple gears, but you do not need a bunch if you are just starting. Some local retailers have fly combos for beginners, which are excellent. For example, buying a graphite rod would be enough to help you cast well. Instead, you can save money and invest in a good fly line later. Stepping into the next level, you will know that not all fly rods are the same, and once you have a definite casting stroke, you can purchase a setup that feels like an extension.

Get Your Bait

Fly fishing is about catching fish, enjoying the outdoors, and having fun with friends. When you get your rod to fish, you can choose from hundreds of flies, and many will end up in your fly box. If you are fishing on a river, you can get to know what the fish eats by throwing some rocks on the other side, and then you can tie something familiar to your rod. This process is known as matching the hatch. Something may imitate a crab or a grasshopper, and you need to strip the bait accordingly and be the bait.

Start Small

One of the best ways to start with fly fishing is to find small fish that eat flies in your local pond or golf course. This way, you can learn to present a fly and fight a fish. Small fishes like bluegills can teach you about catching fish on a fly on a nice summer day. These fishes love flies and will give a lot of practice as they are abundant.

Get Help

There is a myth that anglers need to practice before they can hire a guide for a day. However, this is different as they only take out the anglers new to the sport daily and help them. You can tell them where you need help, like casting or hooking.

Fly Fishing Forum FAQs

What size of portable power station do I need for fishing?

Investing in portable power stations lets you utilize clean and renewable energy without causing harm to the environment. If you go out in nature for fishing, these portable power stations are safe to use as they are noise-free and toxin-free. To know the size of the portable power station, you must know how many appliances you need to charge while fishing and for how long.

For example, a Jackery Explorer 300 Plus Portable Power Station can charge a camera  (60W) and mini cooler (90W),

Working Time = Capacity of Jackery Explorer 300 Plus Portable Power Station in Wh × 0.85 / Operating wattage of the appliances.

So, Working time = 288Wh × 0.85 / 150W = 1.63H

Note: While charging the devices, there will be some power loss multiplied by 0.85.

What is the point of fly fishing?

Fly fishing lets you customize your cast and provides for stealthy casting.

Is fly fishing harder than regular fishing?

Fly fishing is suitable for still and moving water but is done more in rivers. It is one of the most complicated forms of fishing, and it takes a while to learn it compared to regular fishing.

Why is fly fishing so tricky?

Fly fishing requires a slightly different set of gears to intimidate a fish and convince it you are a fly landing in the area.

What are the disadvantages of fly fishing?

For beginners, fly fishing might be challenging, and you may take time to practice casting accurately.

Fly Fishing Forum

As a beginner or amateur, fly fishing forums can benefit you in your fly fishing learning process as they have information from people across the world. In these forums, you can make new friends who will be a part of your next fishing adventure, or you may drop a query for help. Fly fishing has been a part of culture across the globe for ages. With time, many electrical devices and ways have been invented to catch fish. Jackery Portable Power Stations provide clean and green energy to charge your appliances while you are out fishing.