Well, after me and my dad had a few hours to browse the Dundee Cabela's, and select a few of our favorite "Meat and Potatoes" equipment, we got into the idea of fly fishing (actually, weve been interested in it for a while, being near the sandusky river, a prime smallmouth location). We purchased a beginner flyrod, and instructional video, and a box of flies the clerk reccommended (thsi guy knew what he was talking about). Anyway, after watching the video, I have just a few questions for some of you more experienced fly fishermen...

The video covered 3 methods of fishing. The use of Nymphs or aquatic insects, streamers, the immitation of baitfish and other larger prey, and dry fly fishing, used only during hatches of either stoneflies, mayflies, or caddisflies. When fishing nymphs in still water, I believe a common technique is to use a strike indicator and allow it to float down stream, or to simply feel for strikes yourself. My question is, if your fishing shallow water (2-3 feet at best) Where is it best to put the indicator. I'm also not really sure on how to fish nymphs without an indicator.

Also, When fishing subsurface (nymphs/streamers) you must use all sinking lines correct? Dry fly fishing requires all floating lines?

And my 3rd question deals with the many different types of lines.
The line that is spooled is called Fly line correct? typically bright colors and it carryies the fly into the water. There are also two more lines i believe, Tippet, and another line. I do not fully understand the purposes of these liens yet.

I realize I'm throwing a lot at you, and I don't expect lightning quick answers, but any help is appreciated.

Welcome to roughfish.com, sanduskystalker. I'll try To answer a few of your questions.....

1) You do not need a sinking line to fish with nymphs or streamers or anything subsurface for that matter. I personally have never used a sinking line. When using a floating line, you will have a monofilament leader attached to the end which will readily sink if you are using a weighted fly or some splitshot. The longer your leader, and the more weight you use, the deeper you can fish.

2) For nymphing, a strike indicator is best in moving water. The distance between your fly and the indicator will vary depending on the water depth and the weight of your offering, as well as the speed of the current. Basically, you will have to experiment to find out how to get your nymph bouncing downstream along bottom without hanging up too much. A rule of thumb is when fishing in decent current, set your indicator to one and a half times the water depth.

~andy

Ah, the Cabelas in Dundee; that was the first Cabelas I've ever been to.

andy pretty much summed up how to setup an indicator rig. The only time a sinking line (or sinking tip) is really necesarry is when fishing deep water (deeper than 7-8') or in really fast current. Sometimes a lot of weight just doesn't get a fly down quick enough on a floating line. Casting a sinking line is a different animal than a floating line, and takes a little getting used to. For a beginner, I wouldn't worry about using a sinking line just yet.

As for the ?? about the fly line. The backing is the dacron/nylon line that is tied directly to the spool. It is often used only as a filler on standard/mid arbor reels, to increase the retrieval rate of your fly line. The fly line is the thicker line that (usually) floats on the water, and is the mechanism that delivers your fly. The tippet, is a part of your leader. The leader connects to your fly line is is either made from fluorocarbon or monofilament line. It often has a stiffer butt section, and is tapered to a smaller diameter, often more supple line. The last 24" or so of a tapered leader is often referred to as a tippet. The tippet is usually the section that get's broken off and replaced the most. This is what connects the leader to your fly. Depending on the size of the fly you plan to present to the fish, this will determine which size tippet you will use.

If you plan on nymphing in 2-3' of slow moving water, use the indicator that is already built in: the leader to fly line connection. The end of the fly line floats, and is just as good as using a strike indicator to observe if your fly has moved.