Fly fishing provides enjoyment, especially when you hook a good-sized fish.

A fly rod is different from a casting rod. Rods are different, because they perform differently.

Casting with monofilament or braided lines uses the weight of the lure or bait to pull out the line. Casting rods with varying lengths and stiffness do the job well, depending on the lure or bait weight. Casting reels are part of the casting process, as the lure or bait flies through the air and usually have sophisticated mechanisms to keep the reel spool from overspinning and causing a tangle, often referred to as a “birdnest.” And that’s what it looks like too. The casting reel provides more than just space to store the line.

Using flies with a fly rod is a different proposition. When you use a fly rod and fly line, the weight of the line is what carries the fly to its destination. Flies are so lightweight they won’t pull out the line on the cast, so the weight needs to be built into the line. The fly rod is also different from casting rods, as fly rods are usually significantly longer than casting rods, making it easier to use the flex of the rod to propel the line through the air.

There are two distinct types of fishing flies: the dry, or floating, fly and the wet, or sinking, fly. Dry flies imitate adult “bugs” that flit above the water’s surface, or dance on the water surface to imitate an adult fly laying eggs. So there’s the need for two distinctly different fly lines — one that floats and one that sinks, getting the wet fly to imitate larval or nymph stages of aquatic bugs.

Floating and sinking fly lines make line selection a bit more critical than casting lines, and there are also a number of themes and variations in the lines themselves. First, there’s the weight of the line. Rods are designed to handle different line weights, so matching the line to the rod is important for better presentation of the fly. Also, lines can be level or tapered, and with the wet lines, they can have different sink rates, depending on the type of water you’ll be fishing. Deep lakes or fast moving streams and rivers call for a faster sinking line than more shallow or still water. So fly line companies make several different sizes and sink rates for wet lines, and can also make different shapes for different casting qualities. Lines also have a core and other layers for durability. You’re absolutely right if you think this sounds a bit complicated, because it is once you get by the first decisions for either floating or sinking lines, or maybe one of each.

If you don’t have a veteran fly fisher to consult for suggestions on sizes and types of fly line, ask for help at your sporting goods store. Many stores have expert fly fishers as employees, and I haven’t met one yet who’s bashful about discussing fishing experiences and suggestions for tackle that’ll work for you. And don’t forget line backing for landing fish and for enlarging your reel arbor to minimize line curl set.

Fly fishing requires some knowledge of knot tying. Everyone usually needs to tie the line and line backing onto the fly reel, tying backing to the line, line to leader and tippet, and tippet to fly. You can use an overhand slip knot to tie the backing to the fly reel arbor, an Albright knot to connect backing to fly line, a nail knot to attach fly line to leader, a blood knot for the leader to tippet hookup, and a cinch knot to tie tippet to fly. There are other choices and variations for knots that work equally well, but everyone has to start somewhere. A short butt section of mono can be put between line and leader to save cutting fly line each time a leader is changed.

The fly reel provides drag to play a fish, but is not directly involved in the casting. The fly reel serves primarily as line storage. Some reels have enhanced speed when reeling in a fish, but you strip off line when casting and hold line in the noncasting hand.

Fly selection is discussed in lots of books already available on these subjects. And no doubt, there will be even more every year. It’s an involved technique, this fly fishing business.

Ask questions, practice casting, knot tying, realize there’s lots to it and don’t get discouraged by the time and involvement required. It’s also lots of fun.

<i>Local fishing and hunting expert Dick Hess can be reached at ColoradoHess@hotmail.com.</i>