"Basic River Fly Fishing Tactics" - Far Bank Fly Fishing School, Episode 5

It's been said-trout don't live in ugly places-and after this episode, we think you'll see why. Follow us to trout country for an in depth lesson on how to successfully fly fish for trout in rivers. This episode covers all the basic things you need to know as a novice fly fisher to be successful in rivers.
Get your head in the game with a plan to achieve maximum success on the river. Learn about trout behavior, where to find them, what gear you need, and get an understanding of the basic river fly fishing tactics that catch fish.
This episode is a comprehensive dive into what river fly fishing is all about. The video covers all the basics needed to understand what you are doing in a river; how to be safe when fishing, where you should fish, how to fish, what to do when you hook a fish, and how to identify the fish you have caught. In addition, this film discusses the three key tactics an angler can use to fly fish in a river.
At the end of this episode, you will have learned a lot about rivers and how to fish them. You will be able to look at a river and know where the fish are and be able to tell where big fish and little fish live. You will have enough knowledge to confidently choose the right gear for different rivers, know how to control your line and fly in the water, know what casts you need to successfully fish a river, be able to recognize when a fish has taken your fly, know how to set the hook correctly, play the fish, and identify the fish you have caught.
#flyfishing #learntoflyfish #howtoflyfish
Chapters
00:00 Introduction
00:36 CH1 - Safety Considerations
03:04 CH2 - Fish Behavior In Moving Water
07:43 CH3 - Identifying Fish
13:06 CH4 - Finding Fish
17:21 CH5 - Basic River Gear
24:55 CH6 - Basics Fly Casts For The River Angler
27:40 CH7 - “Mending” The Line
34:49 CH8 - Controlling Line Slack
38:36 CH9 - Approaching The Water
41:36 CH10 - Basic River Fly Fishing Tactics
42:45 CH11a - The Swing
46:56 CH11b - Stripping the Fly
52:30 CH11c - Dry Fly
59:30 CH11d - Nymph & Indicator
01:05:31 CH12 - Playing A Fish
01:08:47 CH13 - Releasing A Fish

[@charlesmurray1220]

Sir: You and your videos have improved my fishing to where I'm actually catching fish. Thank you kindly.

[@FarBank]

We are delighted to hear that. Thanks for commenting, and good luck with your fly fishing.

[@Jakefromdd]

Thanks for all of this great content! With the help of this video (and just a few snags) I was able to catch my first fish on a fly rod in Yellowstone this week!

[@FarBank]

Congratulations, that is awesome!!! We are delighted the video helped in some way. Thanks for commenting and good luck with your fly fishing going forward...

[@osmanpalao2359]

As someone who wants to begin fly fishing and watching multiple how to videos this is by far the best I've come across. You guys are awesome.

[@FarBank]

Great to hear that you enjoyed this, thanks for your comment :)

[@MrWlodekfly]

Simon, I am a fly fisherman from Poland. I love Sage rods and RIO fly lines. These movies are great! For beginner anglers as well as for advanced ones. Simon, you are the best fly fishing teacher!

[@FarBank]

Many thanks for your comments, and for being a fan of our brands. It is s nice to get your comments, and we'll pass on your words to Simon.

[@fernandoolazabaljanson1471]

I’ve been watching and studing Fly fishing vídeos and books thorougly for the last month. Far Banks vídeos are by far the best Fly fishing instruction material availabe. Thank you so much Simon for sharing your knowledge. It is a pleasure to learn through your classes. Fernando, Madrid SPAIN

[@FarBank]

Hi Fernando, many thanks for your comments, and for being a fan of our videos. It is s nice to get your comments, and we'll pass on your words to Simon.

[@BerndSiegenfuhr]

Thank you Simon. This is the best tutorial i have ever seen

[@FarBank]

Thanks, we'll pass on your comments to Simon as he is always glad to hear when people like his work. Tight lines and all the best for 2023.

[@philsmith935]

I fished my first trout/fly fishing trip with a guide last summer on a Colorado river, wading. Your video was like reliving the experience. I am researching, reading, and wathcing video. Planning a couple trips this summer using my own equipment. Your video's are interesting, and informative. Thank you for sharing what you have learned.

[@FarBank]

So glad you enjoyed the video, and hope you have a lot of fun with your fly fishing career. Thanks also for commenting :)

[@mattgrubb9925]

A definitive guide that will help fly anglers of all skill levels. Thank you master Simon

[@FarBank]

Thanks for your comments, Matt. We'll pass those on to Simon.

[@Sailor-Dave]

Really good video for beginners or those, like me, who have read about fly fishing, but learn better from seeing it in action. Well done!

[@FarBank]

Thanks David, we're delighted you enjoyed it. Thanks for commenting.

[@TERRYBIGGENDEN]

This is truly excellent. Thank you, even for experienced anglers, to refresh our ideas and knowledge.. :-)

[@FarBank]

Great to hear you enjoyed it so much - thanks for commenting :)

[@matteorottigni1744]

Amazing video very well made! i've just ordered a flyfishing rod so i can't neither say that im a fisherman, but this video will definitely make the difference!Thank you!

[@DrUmtombo]

That was incredibly useful - thank you Simon.

[@FarBank]

Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for your comment, Mark - much appreciated!

[@jimsweeney2419]

Well done sir. Everything one needs to know to fly fish successfully - especially a beginner - in one tight package. Thanks.

[@FarBank]

Thanks Jim, we're delighted you enjoyed it. Thanks for commenting.

[@Flo_Givel]

That video deserves way more viewers, started documenting myself on Fly Fishing material for a year now and these are by far the best tutorials! Simon is such a great teacher, so lively and passionate, awesome material here. thanks!

[@FarBank]

Thanks for the kind comments. We'll pass them on to Simon who will be delighted to hear them. Tight lines...

[@brettmorgan8508]

This was very good. A lot of information and not too much detail to be confusing to a new fly fisher. I started fly fishing about 10 years ago and one of the things that really helped me was a video called Fishing with Experts (I think) and it was Simon Gawesworth teaching river fishing in Britain. One thing that really stuck in my mind was that he got to the river where he was going to fish and waited till he was in the water to finish rigging his flies so the fish nearby would settle. I still do that today when I fish, wait till I’m in the water to tie on my dropper or rig my indicator or whatever. Also great job saying “polarized” and not “Polaroid”, the Americans won’t get confused and think you’re talking about cameras!

[@FarBank]

Thanks for your comment, Brett. We'll pass that on to Simon. Tight lines...

[@jozefkrivan3522]

Thank you Simon. By your presentation my adrenaline raise like not to wait and imediately go to fishing😉... Your way we should have many young fisher@ in our river and that is what we would like... living with our nature, like it, understand it, save it for next generation coming ... Best regards from Slovakia, Jozef.

[@FarBank]

Thanks for the comments, Jozef. We are glad you found Simon's presentation style to your liking :)

[@Nverinder716]

Thank you for explaining polarized lenses properly, Simon! I worked as an optician for a decade, and routinely hear incorrect or generally poor “dumbed down” descriptions of the way the lenses actually work!

[@FarBank]

Thanks for your comment, we'll pass your message on to Simon who will be delighted to hear that he got it right :)

[@Nverinder716]

@@FarBank thank you! Please also pass along that I’m enjoying these videos tremendously. I’ve watched countless hours of instructional and beginner material on fly fishing over my 4 years in the craft, and it’s always refreshing to hear another take from an angler!

[@FarBank]

@@Nverinder716 will do, thanks

[@s0mebody.]

This was an amazing video, exactly what I was looking for as someone who has been fishing lakes for years, but is just new to fly fishing and new to rivers

[@FarBank]

So glad it helped out...

[@mathiasstav2911]

Great vid. Thanks a lot for all the detailed shots and explanations! ❤

[@FarBank]

Thanks for commenting, and glad you enjoyed the video...

[@Flygnisse]

Very good video. Simon is super good teacher. Many thanks!

[@nicolelewis1828]

Such an excellent series! Thank you Far Bank and Simon!

[@FarBank]

Thanks - glad you enjoyed it...

[@lehfeldt1]

Can we look forward to a “How to Fish Saltwater” in the future? Perhaps from boat and or shore? Thanks loving the series!

[@FarBank]

It's in the planning stages now, Kyle - probably season 3 :)

[@lehfeldt1]

@@FarBank Super excited! Thanks!

[@sidewaysrain7609]

I appreciate your enthusiasm and your quest to share knowledge. Respectfully, trophy brown trout or not under the undercut sandbanks or logs and they are not in deep holes. What's a trout reaches 20 some inches it no longer flies and bugs it is a carnivore e feeds on small rainbow trout, Minows, sculpin, mice birds, rats Chipmunks excetera. Trophy brown trout or actually in calm water usually less than 3 ft deep where most people stand when they they're casting. Calm water where the river or stream bottom changes colors. From Sand to gravel or light to dark change or variegated bottom. Yes you wi'll catch trout in all the conditions you named but they will not be trophy size. This sounds counterintuitive but it is not. Trout that large do not need cover they have no predators in their environment they are the predator! I am talking about trout attacking with a vengeance very large streamers not dry flies. Monster trout also do not make one location their home. They're moving throughout the day from location to location. Tight Lines- Peace

[@FarBank]

Some good info there!!

[@23GRiPP]

WoW, Great info & video!! Having my introduction lesson in 2 weeks in The Netherlands.

[@FarBank]

Thanks for commenting, and glad you enjoyed the video. Good luck with your first lesson and hope it leads to a lifetime of fun and enjoyment

[@briankittler1522]

You're videos are fantastic!

[@FarBank]

Thank you very much!

[@user-ib5rn6dp1c]

👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@janphillips1093]

Removing the slack session: when pulling the line after a cast upstream , I note the rod tip is high , correct?

[@FarBank]

That is essential to keep the light tight as the line is drifting downstream towards you - just gives you more tension...

[@-alpha-o-mathematics8342]