How To Start Fly Fishing: Things We Wish We Knew

Katka Svagrova is a triple Ladies World Fly Fishing Champion and a professional angler.

1. I wish I’d known that once you get hooked on fly fishing there’s no escape!
2. I wish I’d known it’s not always about the size of the fish or how many fish you catch. That’s irrelevant. I would rather spend all day enjoying techniques I like and catching one rewarding fish than catching countless fish.
3. That nothing beats landing your next dream fish!

Robin Elwes is a AAPGAI Master Casting Instructor and Sales Assistant at the Sportfish Game Fishing Centre in Reading.

1. Having started off fishing and spent a long time not doing it correctly, time would have been spent better with a couple of lessons
2. The line is the most important part, and I used to buy cheap fly lines. Wasted time and effort.
3. Back in the day nylon was the only thing available. I just tied on whatever I had in my bag without thinking what might work best.

Emily Graham is a professional photographer and Sportfish content creator.

1. How interesting it is! I have a strong love of nature and wildlife and fly fishing has just fed both of those passions
2. How much the fish in our world need help and how much fishing, in general, educates people about the different problems faced.
3. How versatile fishing can be - anyone can do it.

Jesse Gale is a passionate junior angler who was introduced to fishing by his parents.

1. Being 14 most people would say my journey has only just begun! I cast my first fly rod in September 2022 and caught my first rainbow (unaided) a few months later. Although I wish I’d found fly fishing sooner, I look at other youth anglers who have been fishing from the age of 5 or 6 and think now how much more I’d have known had I started sooner.
2. Starting your fly fishing journey can be a little scary - where to start, what equipment you need and how to cast. Before those awkward ‘excuse me’ moments I wish I’d known how incredibly friendly and supportive the fly fishing community is. Not once did I feel stupid after asking a question. I’ve been gifted so many flies to get me started I can’t count them, and the knowledge anglers want to pass on is so generous - there was no reason to be worried! I have met some top people and feel very lucky to call many of them my friends.
3. Getting to sleep, especially before a competition is tough. I never considered I’d be lying awake at night thinking about red holographic diawl bachs! However, if I’d known beforehand that there would be so many sleepless nights and very early starts would I have reconsidered picking up that rod, not a chance!

Amy Hulme is a fly fishing guide and manages a beat on the River Tweed.

1. The diversity of the sport, ranging from fresh and saltwater and all the kit that’s involved with it! Coming from a family that wasn’t involved in field sports, it wasn’t always easy when I started fly fishing to find the correct avenue into the sport. There was no ‘hand me down’ tackle or knowledge to get me started, I had to learn from various sources that were accessible and available to me at the time.
2. The opportunities to learn about fly fishing. For me to pursue the sport I had to find out about where I could gain and enhance my knowledge. I did this through local angling clubs, fly dresser guilds and friendly fellow anglers on the riverbanks which were all an invaluable help.
3. How to find fishing availability. The internet is now my number one source of information for all things fly fishing. Sites such as FishPal are a great help to anglers to find fishing availability. There are now so many options to find fishing at home or overseas and Sportfish have been invaluable to the sport for many anglers.

Jo Stephenson is a Level 2 Angling Coach, avid fly tyer and Sportfish content creator.

1. How addictive it is - I will always need another reel, rod, kayak, line or more fly tying material!
2. I would need to choose what car I bought based on my kayak fishing needs! It’s a good job I really love my car!
3. I will never be happy with my cast! But striving to be better is a good way of living!

Junior angler Dan was introduced to fishing by his dad, David. Read more about his story or visit his YouTube channel.

1. It’s not always easy to catch fish!
2. When a cast goes badly it's very frustrating!
3. Fishing can be frustrating, especially when waiting for perfect conditions that never seem to come!

Jamie Noon is an ex-England rugby player with a passion for fishing and fly tying who now lives in France.

1. You don’t need to buy the most expensive gear, all the flies and every piece of tackle available to be a good fisherman.
2. Enjoy the process and don’t get into the trap of thinking you need to catch as many fish as possible to have a good day.
3. Fly tying is addictive and collecting various feathers, beads and skins will take over your life and storage areas.

Junior angler Lewis Porter loves to fly fish and tie flies. Read his story!

1. Presentation is key. Learning to cast properly will help with this.
2. Keep it simple to start out with, instead of jumping straight in and fishing two or three flies, as a beginner stick to one fly and then advance to two when you feel ready.
3. Matching the hatch and fishing the right flies at the correct time of year is important.

Lucinda Ewin is an AAPGAI Professional Casting Instructor and Sportfish content creator.

1. How good it is for your well-being. Sitting in stunning surroundings with the white noise of the river around you, moments that you share with wildlife that no one else gets to witness (unless you’re another angler of course!)
2. How much equipment I was going to end up with! I have an allocated room at home dedicated to fly fishing. Rods, reels, lines, flies, nets, waders, jackets… do I really need it all - no! But do I want it… absolutely!
3. All the places in the world you can go fly fishing and all the different species of fish out there you can fly fish for! I first pictured myself just fishing on my local river and stillwater where in fact it can take you almost anywhere around the world. The bucket list has already commenced!

Peter Tyjas is a fly fishing guide and author of the Fly Culture magazine

1. Taking the time to learn to cast properly. It makes life so much easier and more enjoyable. Getting the fly to its destination with minimal effort and minimal disturbance will give you maximum chances when you see a trout rise. As a fly fishing beginner, I didn’t realise how much I would enjoy just casting.
2. The beauty of wild fish. A wild brown trout from the streams I fish in Devon or a spring, sea-liced salmon fresh from the tide; the colours are breathtaking. If I’ve been lucky enough to catch one, I feel a brief connection with that fish and make sure I take one last look before I watch it swim away.
3. How it would change my life. I threw in a job and moved to Devon with my family to be near the many streams in the area. I never thought I’d end up being a guide and instructor who brought many people into fly fishing. It is a nice legacy.

Professional England rugby player Adam Radwan can often be found on the water.

1. How addictive it is! Weather permitting, I try to go fishing at least once a week, which isn’t always guaranteed living up north!
2. How diverse it is. I think fly fishing is so exciting as it covers so many different techniques and species. Anyone can do it and enjoy it.
3. How accessible it is! Fishing isn’t exclusive or expensive and it’s pretty easy to find places to go.

Colton Kelly is a Sportfish content creator and Welsh fly fishing guide with a passion for sea trout on the River Towy.

1. The small print when purchasing your first fly rod should say “Warning: you may become a fly fishing obsessive and spend all your time fly fishing or thinking about it… but you’ll never regret it!”
2. The level of sheer contentment I now get from having one hobby that I know and love is miles better than having several hobbies that you’re not fully into.
3. That sea trout fly fishing at night is frustrating and exhilarating in equal measure like nothing you’ve ever experienced. Seriously addictive and be prepared to have your mental boundaries tested!

Lucy Bowden is a Level 2 Angling Coach. Passionate about getting more ladies fishing, she founded the Fishing For Everyone Ladies Fishing Club in 2009 and is Marketing Exec for Sportfish. 

1. That fishing would become such an important part of my life. I've been lucky enough to carve a career out of the sport I love and not many can say that!
2. Many of my happiest memories are from day's spent on or near the water. My Dad introduced me into the sport, and we've shared many fun days on the bank together.
3. We don't know all the answers! Even the experts don’t know everything! As anglers we're always learning, and that's what makes it such good fun!

James is Junior Team England Youth Fly Fishing Captain. Watch his story here.

1. I didn't know you can catch so many different species on the fly - I only knew about trout and salmon on the fly before I got into it.
2. I didn't know that it was also a competitive sport, especially loch style. I was inspired by the England Youth Team members I had met at fishing venues and had my trial for the England Youth Fly Fishing Team aged 12. This season will be my third England Cap.
3. How technically challenging it can be if you want it to be! I have now experienced using a double handed rod and can Spey cast. I would also like one day to possibly instruct and/or guide. I am looking at undertaking Instructor Training post my GSCE's!

Simon Tilbury is Group Head of Marketing at Sportfish and a passionate wild trout angler.

1. As a self-taught fly fisher with no one in my family who fished, my first forays were not successful. I was one fly fishing trip away from jacking it in when I caught my first trout and everything changed. It’s hard to learn, but so worth persevering… don’t give up.
2. Flies are sold to fishermen, not fish. You don’t need 1,000’s. I catch 95% of my fish on 5 patterns. I've lots of lovely fly boxes full of wonderful flies I’ll never use. They do look nice though.
3. That there are professionals out there whose job involves teaching people how to cast. Beg, steal or borrow to get some tuition earlier rather than later. Your older self will thank you.