Fly fishing is a specialist approach to fishing. It is different from bait casting or spin casting because fly fishing uses a weighted line to carry the nearly weightless bait forward when casting. Because of this important difference fly fishing has its own fishing tackle and terminology.
Fly fishing also requires some different techniques than traditional fishing. Traditional fishing may involve casting a baited hook and waiting for a fish to bite, or casting and retrieving lures or spinners. However, fly fishing involves casting repeatedly with brief pauses to allow the fly to float past the fish.
There are three ways to learn how to cast with a fly fishing rod.
You can teach yourself to cast with a fly fishing rod. This requires a lot of training and you must make sure that you learn the proper techniques. Use literature and videos on the subject for studying proper techniques.
If you have an acquaintance who is an accomplished fly fisherman, you can ask him for help to learn casting techniques for fly fishing.
For many fishermen the best option is to attend a course on fly fishing casting. This costs a bit, but you will get good guidance and qualified support. Check with other fishermen on which courses they recommend or contact your local fly fishing club



Fly fishing rods are made out of fiberglass or graphite. Each of these has its benefits. The fiberglass rod can be used by both experts and beginners during various conditions. It is a durable material which can generally cope with wearing better than those made of graphite. The graphite rods are more expensive than those made of fiberglass. Lightweight graphite rods are generally more accurate when casting.
It is also important to determine the flexibility of a fly fishing rod, as the different levels of flexibility make a difference when casting and also when reeling in your catch. Flexibility means that fly fishing rods have different action (the rod bends different under load). As with most types of fishing tackle, it is a matter of preferences which type of fishing rod you choose. Make your choice based on how you prefer casting and what you are fishing.
There are three main categories of fly rod actions.
Slow-action fly fishing rods are ideal for reeling in small fish. They have the most bend, which makes them more difficult for beginners to control. However, they are the most accurate for short distance casting.
Medium-action fly fishing rods are recommended for beginners. These rods are easier to control, but they do not provide the same accuracy when casting. Medium-action rods can be used for long or short distance casting.
Fast-action fly fishing rods are stiffer and only bend at the top of the rod. These rods are a great choice for long distance casting as well as reeling in large fish. Beginners will also find these fly fishing rods to be difficult controlling.
The length of fly fishing rods ranges between 7 feet and 10 feet. A shorter fly fishing rod is better for short distance casting, as in sites where there are obstacles such as trees and bushes. A longer rod is better when you are casting for long distances in a wide area. There is generally less action from a shorter fly fishing rod than from longer rods.
Norwegian and Scandinavian readers may find more information about fly fishing in my blog, sports fishing, where they also can read about other forms of fishing. An English version will be ready in a few months.