How to Tie Fly Fishing Knots

Learning how to tie fly fishing knots can lead you to the perfect catch or keep you casting. Before heading to the nearest river to cast a few flies, anglers need to know how to tie knots. Several different styles exist.

The Albright
One of the most popular fly fishing knots is the Albright and combines two lines of unequal diameter or different materials. First, loop the wider line and hold it between the thumb and index finger. Bring the smaller line through the loop. Leave approximately six to eight inches of extra line. Wrap the smaller line around the larger line, working away from you and moving left to right. As you make each wrap, hold each line in place. On the tenth wrap, come around and take the smaller line through the bigger loop. Pull the line lightly and push the wraps toward the closed loop, alternating between the end of the smaller larger part until the loops are against the tag end. Don't let the loops cross over one another. Then, pull it tight, secure the lines, and clip the line close to the knot.

Expert Fishing Tips

Everyone needs fishing tips. Fishing is so much more than a way to drown worms. But if you're just a novice fisherman, how do you navigate your way through the murky waters?

Pole Position

Instead of cranking the bail to close it after casting, close the bail by hand and pull the line tight before reeling in. This fishing tip brings the line into the bailer roller and it will spool properly.
Use pony tail holders to secure fishing rods during travel time. No more tangles or broken tips.

Guide to Ice Fishing

Ice fishing continues to grow in popularity. Nothing beats the thrill of drilling through a thick slab of ice, dropping a line, and catching a beauty of a fish. Beginning anglers need to make a small investment to get on the ice. Once the fishing bug bites, ice fishermen may opt for the latest and greatest equipment. Here's what you'll need to get started.

Ice Fishing Equipment
Ice auger. This piece of equipment is a necessity. Hand crank augers work fine. Mechanical augers are also on the market. Before purchasing an auger, remember that the larger the hole's diameter, more work is needed to drill through the ice. Although an ice scoop isn't a necessity for ice fishing, it will help clear away ice shavings. Metal scoops are preferable to the plastic varieties.
Rods. Graphite rods, especially ultra light models, are preferred for ice fishing. Look for a rod that measures 28 inches and has a fast-action tip. Medium-action rods measuring 28 to 30 inches work best when fishing for walleye or trout.

Winter Trout Fly Fishing

It is winter time now. One step on the frozen porch steps first thing in the morning removes any doubt of that fact. Winter time brings on many thoughts, holidays, dark afternoons, football on TV and for me some of the best trout fly fishing there is. That’s right - trout fishing - winter steelhead fly fishing has been around a long time and gets more popular every season.

But the truth of the matter is, trout fly fishing can be excellent: the crowds are down to non-existent, the scenery and wildlife are plentiful, and it makes those long days of early spring with non-stop rain and overflowing rivers more tolerable.

When to go
Winter fly fishing demands a little timing and planning on your part. One nice thing is, the weekends aren’t crowded so you really don’t need to ask the boss for time off to really get some peace and solitude.
But other planning does need to be done. The first thing is checking your local regulations. Many, many places now offer year round trout fly fishing. A good portion of this is probably catch and release but that only helps in further reducing the crowds. Some areas allow only lakes to be fished year round, some only allow rivers, but most places will allow something to be fished year round.

Winter fly fishing tips

What Is It About Winter That Calls You Back To The Water?
Is it the Lack of crowds? Is it the masses headed to the Hills to ski or maybe you just need to get out because, well you like to fish?

Winter Fly Fishing in the Rockies can be an experience all to itself if you need a day out on the water. Winter fly-fishing in Colorado is much different from Fall and Spring fishing, the people are gone, the scenery is awesome, and the pace is relaxing. Due the winter weather it can change minute to minute so be mindful of your area and always be prepared for that nasty storm at any time.

When To Fish

Time of Day/Season Sequencer/Turnover/Temp by Species 

Spring/Early Morning

Fish aren't biting. The water is cold and doesn't heat up because the sun is low and the rays bounce off the water. But don't go home yet, because winter is over and fish are hungry and spawning. Best to wait until a week or so after thaw, as spring turnover takes time for the water temperature to even out to 39.2 degrees.

Spring/Late Morning-Early Afternoon

Fish are biting off and on. The water begins to warm up because rays begin to penetrate the water. Remember to fish the downwind shoreline, as the winds will push the warmer surface water along with surface food into that area


 Spring/Afternoon-Early Evening

Fish are eating a lot because their metabolism and digestion are cranked. Water is warm because the sun is directly overhead.

Summer/Early Morning-Late Afternoon

Fishing is excellent from before sunup to just before mid-morning. At this time of year there is abundant food and cover for fish, so finding hungry fish can be a challenge.

Summer/Late Morning-Early Afternoon

Fishing is poor for most of the day. Fish move to deep water to cool off.

Summer/Afternoon-Early Evening

Fishing is excellent from early sundown until dark as the waters cool and fish rise up from the depths.

Fall/Early Morning

Fish aren't biting much from sunup to early morning. The water is cool because the sun is too low to penetrate the water.

Fall/Late Morning-Noon

Fish are biting off and on in warmer, shallow water. The water is generally cool due to the season.

Fall/Afternoon-Early Evening

Fishing is excellent. Sun is directly overhead for several hours and the water gets more comfortable near the surface. This makes for seasonally good fishing because fish are putting on weight for the winter. Look for bait schools where bigger fish are more likely to be.

Seasonal Lake Turnover

Turnover refers to the exchange of surface and bottom water in a lake or pond. This annual recycling program happens twice a year. There's spring turnover and fall turnover and summer stagnation in between. From spring to fall, warmer water goes from the top of the lake to the bottom and cooler water moves from the bottom to the top.

An understanding of turnover, combined with knowledge of what kind of water a particular fish likes, can make you a real fishing genius. As always, good luck.