Chris Harth
John Rasmussen
October 4, 2000
Fly Fishing Basics
Goals: To teach students the basics of fly fishing in northern Minnesota.
Objectives: From this lesson students should be able to:
-describe characteristics of a fly rod, fly reel, fly line
-demonstrate how to tie nail knot, blood knot, improved cinch knot
-describe and demonstrate the basic overhead cast
Audience: College students interested in the outdoors
Length: 2 1/2 hours
Location: SpHC 9, softball field
Content:
5 min introduction John
3 min on what fly fishing is Chris
(@ same time John writes progression on chalk board for students to follow along)
20 min fly rods and reels. Chris
-slow, medium, fast action rods
A. slower the action, slower the cast
B. slower the cast, better the accuracy
-disc drag, clicker drag , hand drag
A. discs and clicker have adjustable drag settings allowing retrieve hand freedom
B. hand drag requires friction created by placing the palm onto the spool
-right/left hand reels
A. determined by casting preference
20 min line and flies John
-Backing
A. monofilament
B. braided nylon. (It's a cheaper filler.)
-Fly line (the color helps angler to see in different water conditions).
A. Floating
1. floats
2. weighted to help cast the tiny fly
B. Sinking
1. sinks
2. weighted to help cast fly
C. Weight of the Fly line.
1. measured in grains(a unit of measurement)
2. measures the weight of the front 30ft. of line.
3. 3,4,5 weight line (river fly fishers using small flies).
4. 6 weight is good all around
-The Leader
1. monofilament ( made of nylon usually clear or light green)
2. attached to the Fly line
3. one can buy tapped leader or make your own
4. measured by breaking strain or lbs. test
( light line smaller fish, big fish heavier line) (clear water lighter line)
5. Length of the leader is very important!
a. this is distance fly is from the thick fly line.
(fish can see thick line)
b. between 6-12 feet
-Tippet
1. thin tapered line
2. fly is attached to this.
3. difficult for fish to see this.
-Flies (Use overhead projector to magnify flies for class)
A. Dry
B. Wet
C. Nymphs
20 min knots John (see diagram)
-Nail Knot
-Blood Knot
-Improved Cinch Knot
10 min transition to softball field
15 min intro to casting Chris (Use dry erase and create chart of main points in cast)
-grip rod with thumb on top and pointing away
-hold arm at 90 degree angle with line out in front
-raise forearm slowly until nearly vertical
-flick wrist up and back
-pause to let line extend back
-extend arm forward until at 45 degree angle
-pause to let line extend forward
-line will fall on the water
-lower rod tip and begin drift or retrieve
20 min. practice casting at a target and help individually Team
20 min. casting game if time permits.Team
5 min wrap up by reviewing main points and breaking down equipment John
5 min Evaluation and hand out itinerary and directions how to get to the Knife River. Larry
-Ask the students to demonstrate how to properly tie the blood knot, nail knot, and the improved cinch knot.
-Ask the students explain the difference between fast action rod and slow action rod.
-Ask the students to describe the purpose of floating and sinking fly line.
-Ask the students to describe the purpose of a leader and tippet.
-Ask to demonstrate the Basic Overhead Cast properly.
Methods: lecture, game, guided discovery.
Equipment needed:
-fly rods and reels - 15 complete outfits
-fly line, braided line, monofilament, leader and tippet - 5 spools ea.
-yarn - 5 yds.
-scissors - 5
-white board and dry erase markers - 1
-Aquatic macro Invertebrates Poster - 1
-Overhead projector - 1
-TV & VCR - 1
-Visual aids (General gear, video, books, etc. - 1
-River Runs Through It video
Alternative location: Romano Gym
Evaluation:
-Ask the students to demonstrate how to properly tie the blood knot, nail knot, and the improved cinch knot.
-Ask the students explain the difference between fast action rod and slow action rod.
-Ask the students to describe the purpose of floating and sinking fly line.
-Ask the students to describe the purpose of a leader and tippet.
-Ask to demonstrate the Basic Overhead Cast properly.
Follow up: Fly fishing at the Knife River.
References:
-Jardine, Charles. (1991). The Classic Guide to Fly Fishing for Trout., Random House Inc. New York.
-Sternberg, Dick. (1988) Trout., The Hunting and Fishing Library, CyDeCosse Inc.. Minnetonka, Minnesota.
Fly Fishing on the Knife River
April 27, 5:30-7:45 am
(Dress for the weather!! Warm hat, gloves, rain gear, etc.)
5:30 am
-Meet at Ordean Court and car pool to river
6:00 am
-Arrive at Knife River and disperse equipment
6:15 am
-On the river: reading the water (where are the fish?)
6:25 am
-Review of casting techniques & knots
-Introduce roll cast
6:40 am
-Go fishing
7:15 am
-Wrap up: break equipment down, conclude fishing exercise
-Return to campus
7:45 am
-Back at UMD
Suggested equipment (If you already have these items please bring along.):
-Fishing license (Not required but you cannot cast a hook with out one. One day licenses cost $16.50 with a trout stamp (Annual license with trout stamp is $24.50) and are available anywhere licenses are sold. I.e. Spur, ICO, Marine General, Gander Mountain, ...)
-Rod, reel, line, flies
-Rubber boots/ waders
Directions to Knife River:
-Take a right onto St. Marie St. At stop light go left on Woodland Ave. At second stop light take a right onto Snively Rd. At first stop sign take a right onto Glenwood St. At last stop sign take a right onto 60th Ave. East. Proceed one block to Superior St. and take a left. Superior St. intersects the first stretch of the Expressway to Two Harbors. Take a left at this intersection and head North toward Two Harbors. Approximately 15 minute drive from there to the Knife River. Just past the river we will take a right onto the Knife River Road and park in the lot on the river.