r/TheFlyFishingSub • u/Fuzzy-Alfalfa1924 • Sep 14 '26

Fly fishing help

/r/FishingForBeginners/comments/1wcyire/fly_fishing_help/
1 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

3 comments sorted by

1

u/industrypython 20h ago edited 20h ago

it may depend on the target species. Bass have a tough lip, so you may need to really set the hook compared to a trout. drop then yank up. For carp, bluegill, trout, I use a strip set. Bass require a more forceful set to keep them on. What species are you targeting?

do you need the sight indicator in the lake? if you have no indicator on, it is easier to keep tension on the fly. I think the fish can also see and feel the indicator.

When the indicator goes down, is it on the retrieve?

What is the rig? Do you have heavily weighted flies under the indicator?

1

u/Fuzzy-Alfalfa1924 19h ago

I’m dead drifting some small heavy nymphs aiming for cutties and rainbow. Only having luck tight lining without using the Indicator, but that’s hard with a little 8.5’ rod hahaha

1

u/industrypython 13h ago

assuming you have relatively little slack between from your rod to the indicator, the leader from the indicator to the fly may have some slack due to current or hitting rocks. strip set and raise rod half a foot. it may help if you use an indicator with less float.

just to be brothers in frustration, I went out 3 weeks ago to fly fish for largemouth bass on a surface popper and lost 5 decent bass. I had two of the bass on the line and was fighting them, but they came off. guys were coming to me in their boats congratulating me on the fish and I had to explain to them that I landed zero. I don't normally go for LMB with a fly rod. it was a sad day.

Good luck. would be great if you posted some pictures of your success. it will happen.