GETTING STARTED FLY FISHING ... Helpful tips and tricks for anyone new to the sport!

GETTING STARTED FLY FISHING ... Helpful tips and tricks for anyone new to the sport!
Everyone starts off fly fishing as a beginner. And for me, those first few days out on the water are to this day some of my most memorable! I knew after hooking that first fish that fly fishing was something I wanted to do a LOT more of :)
In this video, I share a few of my thoughts on my early days of fly fishing ... and a few valuable lessons I've learned along the way. My hope is that these lessons can help the next generation of fly fisherman and fisherwomen get out there and enjoy this crazy hobby just as much as I have ... with maybe even a few less tangles, broken rods, lost flies, and a few more fish in the net :)
Hope you enjoy ... and thanks as always for watching! dan
Links to the 2 knots referenced in video:
1) Triple Surgeon's Knot: • Why a Triple Surgeons ...
2) Improved Clinch Knot: • Video
========++++MY FISHING GEAR++++==========
--------------------------MY BEGINNER FLY FISHING SETUP----------------------
The Best Beginner Book -- CURTIS CREEK MANIFESTO -- amzn.to/2TSvdb3
Orvis ENCOUNTER 5-WEIGHT 9' FLY ROD OUTFIT amzn.to/3cjY6TT
Redington Crosswater Wader amzn.to/3ezIbCq
Frog Toggs wading boots amzn.to/2TPMi5J
Rio 9' 5x tapered leader (3 pack) amzn.to/2Mfhg2E
Rio 5x tippet amzn.to/3cmLkEx
Grasshopper fly pattern amzn.to/2XcR6nM
--------------------------FLY ROD AND REEL----------------------
FLY ROD amzn.to/2DDb9AU
FLY REEL amzn.to/2r6siR5
FLY LINE amzn.to/2r1ixn2
EURO FLY ROD #1 amzn.to/2U8sGKL
EURO FLY ROD #2 amzn.to/39p1qwh
EURO EXTENSION KIT amzn.to/2O9BsVd
--------------------------LEADERS AND TIPPET----------------------
RIO FLUOROFLEX 7.5' TAPERED LEADERS amzn.to/2Y6SB5S
5x FLUOROCARBON TIPPET amzn.to/2LckuUA
TIPPET HOLDER amzn.to/2PeR0a7
------------------------------NET-------------------------------
FISHPOND NET amzn.to/2OCgr61
MAGNETIC NET RELEASE amzn.to/2q8kNIO
---------------BOOTS, WADERS AND VEST------------------
SIMMS FISHING VEST amzn.to/37R1Z1X
PATAGONIA WADERS www.patagonia.....
PATAGONIA BOOTS www.patagonia.....
--------FLIES AND OTHER ACCESSORIES------------
STRIKE INDICATORS amzn.to/33F8vFo
SPLIT SHOT amzn.to/2Y5nAPv
ZEBRA MIDGE amzn.to/2Ra46YO
MAGNETIC FLY BOX amzn.to/2LbeZWi
NIPPERS amzn.to/2L9C8Z2
THIRD HAND ROD HOLDER amzn.to/3aQjKz3
=====++++MY PHOTO EQUIPMENT++++======
--------------------------CAMERA & LENSES----------------------
Nikon Z6 amzn.to/2Hoi1oi
Nikon 35mm f/1.8S amzn.to/2NsQfL1
Nikon 85mm f1.8S amzn.to/2roIcpx
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GoPro Hero 8 Dome Port getgdome.com/c...
-------------------------- EXTERNAL RECORDER----------------------
Atomos Ninja V amzn.to/2Zl9xo5
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Sony XQD Memory Card amzn.to/2OnDSP8
Sanho Hyperthin mini HDMI to HDMI cable: amzn.to/2KUhpcl
SMALLRIG Universal Wooden Left Side Handle for DJI Ronin S: amzn.to/2NuprtY
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------------------------------TRIPOD-------------------------------
Manfrotto 504HD,546BK Video Tripod Kit with 504HD Head and 546 Tripod - Black amzn.to/2LjuLOj
-------------------------MICROPHONE--------------------------
Rode Video mic plus amzn.to/31RHJJE
// Software used to make this video (along with affiliate links): //
1. Neat Video plug-in (to reduce noise/grain): www.neatvideo....
2. Adobe Premiere Pro CC: clk.tradedoubl...)
// The songs used in this video and so many others can be found on Soundstripe and/or Epidemic Sound. For an awesome selection of music for KZbin creators, use the following link to sign up for a monthly Soundstripe subscription at: soundstripe.com?fpr=whatmylenssees .... and use the coupon code WHATMYLENSSEES for a 10% discount on your Soundstripe membership :) //
Song #1: The Traveller
Artist: The Realist
Song #2: Twoleaf Anemone
Artist: Isaac Joel
Song #3: Symarshall
Artist: Sam Barsh
Song #4: Living Life
Artist: DJ DENZ the Rooster (this track courtesy of Epidemic Sound)
Song #5: At a Glance
Artist: Nu Alkemi$t
Be kind 😀... always do the right thing in life 👍 ... and if so inclined, please LIKE ️❤️, COMMENT and SUBSCRIBE to my channel What My Lens Sees. Thanks as always for all the support 🙏
Filmed in 4k ... fly fishing 4k video ...

[@robertfrance7320]

I've been a "beginner" for over 40 years... that being said I really enjoyed your video.

[@WhatMyLensSees]

lol, I can so relate to this Robert! There are days I've been out on the water very recently where I feel like I'm starting from square 1! Such a humbling sport and somedays the trout completely outsmart me. Guess that's what keeps me coming back for more. Thanks much for the kind words and channel support my friend! dan

[@allenhulsey605]

Thanks for putting you fishing videos back up on your channel. Im rewatching them.

[@deejaudible]

Very well done!

[@WhatMyLensSees]

Hey there Matthew, sincerely appreciate that! I tried to put some extra time into this one to make it not only useful, but semi-watchable 🤣I've gotten so much great advice from KZbin over the years, and am really happy to try and contribute back to help others that are starting along this fly fishing journey :) Means a ton to get a comment like yours, so thank you again! Take care, dan

[@deejaudible]

@@WhatMyLensSees It was immensely helpful and the production quality kept me watching. You gained a subscriber

[@WhatMyLensSees]

Glad to hear I hit the mark on this one! I decided awhile back that I needed to build out a studio so that I could do videos like this. I generally am filming outdoors or when traveling ... but when I do want to talk thru stuff when I’m at home, I really didn’t have a good space with the right gear (mic, lighting, etc). So really happy to hear that is helping with the overall production quality! Thanks again Matthew and welcome to the channel! dan

[@OpportunityFishing]

Thanks for this Dan! I think it's great making fly fishing more accessible for beginners!

[@WhatMyLensSees]

Doing my part to try and give back. I am completely self taught and much of what I learned was from KZbin. Such an incredible resource and finally felt like I had enough organized thoughts to put something out there :) always appreciate your kind words and channel support! Thank you, dan

[@kumbofishingusa]

That is very informative and awesome tutorial.

[@WhatMyLensSees]

Much thanks Kumbo! Hope this will be helpful to those starting off with fly fishing!

[@albogamer6842]

Tanks

[@WhatMyLensSees]

Appreciate the comment and channel support my friend!

[@HugDeeznueces]

Ordered that book! Thanks for the info. Need a mentor like you

[@WhatMyLensSees]

That’s awesome Rob! I’ve been doing this for awhile now, and I still go back and read that book fairly often. Hope you find it as useful as I have. And definitely, if you have any other questions, I’m really happy to help. The fly fishing community helped me a ton in the beginning and I gotta start repaying my debts ;) take care and enjoy the book! dan

[@dnippard]

Great Video Dan, reminds me of footage I still have of those early fly fishing days in Colorado and Wyoming!!

[@WhatMyLensSees]

You were with me on the day I caught my first fish on a fly rod. Nanita Lake, Rocky Mountain National Park, Sept 2 2014 (the lost BB 🤣) Crazy right? We need to get back out there again soon! Miss ya man.

[@kevinhogan504]

Darren Nippard Some awesome memories, need to make some more!

[@dcmcray]

Nice video the casting and knots are intimidating. Any extra advice about casting with a weight and indicator? Also for a different video some tips on Stillwater here in CO would be cool

[@WhatMyLensSees]

Thanks much for the kind words and channel support dcmcray! And great suggestion on the stillwater in CO. I’m hoping to really up my game in that respect this Summer, so will be sure to try and get a video pulled together with all my ups/downs along the way :) as for casting with weight and indicator .... find that nice run, and focus on short casts using the pick up, flip, drift method. No need for a bunch of back-casting as that will likely lead to tangles. You’ll have the hang of it in no time I’m certain .... and once you get that nice natural drift down near the river bottom, good things will happen! Thanks again for the comment! dan

[@dcmcray]

@@WhatMyLensSees thanks! And good luck with your stillwater adventures this summer

[@CProFishingWithWayne]

Great video. I felt like I was watching a TV show. I've never fly fished. Maybe someday.

[@WhatMyLensSees]

Ha, thanks man. Been doing my best to up the production quality a bit. Still a long ways to go but getting a little better each time. And I can totally understand why you haven't tried fly fishing when you've got a boat and access to all that open water around you. That's more than enough to keep you very very busy! Thanks as always for the channel support Wayne!

[@teamcoff]

Great Video Dan, lots of value! I wrote a lot down and will be ordering that book. The way things are looking, we're going to have to learn fly fishing on our own. We met the other day about it, going to hopefully start a week or so after our tournament this upcoming weekend. I'll probably bring my fly rod up on the mesa and practice some there, we are planning on camping/fishing at 9K+ a lot of the summer. This video along with a couple of others are going to be our reference point for learning.

[@WhatMyLensSees]

Hey man, thank you. I actually thought of you a bit while I was making this video and hoping you might find it useful. I think it's an awesome idea to get a cheap setup and bring it with you on some of your Summer stillwater adventures. That's how I started off, and it was an absolute blast. Lemme know if you have any questions as you get going ... and if you do end up buying the Curtis Creek Manifesto book, I've got amazon affiliate links in the description that you can use (and I even get a small percentage of the sale). Thanks as always guys and good luck with the tournament this weekend! dan

[@teamcoff]

@@WhatMyLensSees Thanks for keeping me in your thoughts on this one, I did feel a little bit like it was speaking to me lol. I have two of my dad's fly rods, he NEVER buys cheap stuff so I'm imagining they're good rods. They're 5/6 weight. Don't be surprised if I do bother you about some questions, it's funny because my other reference person mainly is a guy named Dan as well...My dad's name is Dan too, Dan's just know how to fish I guess haha! I'll be purchasing that book soon, i'll use your link for sure man!! Appreciate the good luck wishes, hoping we can take it down this year!!

[@roegerz]

Great video, cousin! Thanks for the tips! I bought my first fly rod a couple of months ago. I’m not that great at it (yet!) but still love it! 🎣

[@WhatMyLensSees]

Hey there Christi! So good to hear from you and even better that you’ve gotten into fly fishing 👍 I’ve been at it for awhile now and it’s really been quite the journey and turned into something that has brought a lot of joy and happiness into my life (and a few frustrating moments as well 🤣). I hope the video helps as you get started down this path and of course if you have any questions or ever make it up this way, just let me know!! dan

[@ThatShinerGuy]

That was an awesome video. Great use of your new office setup, and great detailed explanation of "how" to fly fish.

[@WhatMyLensSees]

Man really appreciate that Shiner! Been excited to try and blend my fishing videos with more tips/tricks/lessons I've learned over the years. So, hoping the studio can fill in some of those vloggy type sequences I'm wanting to do with future videos. Really appreciate your feedback and channel support my friend! dan

[@ThatShinerGuy]

I hope this video does well for you. Your videos have a professional production value, especially this one. Great way to introduce people to both the sport and your channel.

[@WhatMyLensSees]

Ya know it’s funny. This one is slightly different than my normal fishing videos so it’s been a little slow on the initial uptake. Funny how KZbin recognizes and promotes consistency, and if you veer just slightly, the algorithm can be a bit of a headwind! Oh well, hopefully over time KZbin will decide it likes this one because I do think it can be helpful to newer fly fisherman out there. Again, really do appreciate your comment and support! dan

[@theag3852]

the trifecta or buffett rig!!! #countit

[@WhatMyLensSees]

yeah buddy! the only way to go :) thanks for watching and commenting!

[@TroutSoup1]

Dan, great to see your sharing your ideas/options and how you fish! Suggestions: 1) Since this is Nymphing for beginners, I’d recommend no more than a 2 fly rig. A 3 fly rig for beginners will end up being a mess. Also, have you thought about using the down side tag end for attaching your nymphs? Gives them more “life”! 2) The Davy knot is quite simply the SIMPLEST knot on planet earth for attaching to your fly. It replaces the Clinch knot which replaced the IMPROVED clinch knot some time ago IF you’re using small tippet sizes say 5x and smaller. The improved clinch actually has a lesser knot strength than the regular clinch MOST times when using small tippets mainly due to how the knot is cinched down. If you’re not using the Orvis knot or the Davy knot to attach flies, a BEGINNER would be better served to learn the regular clinch IMHO. 3) Flurocarbon: again, if it’s a beginner on a budget especially, why not spend 1/3 the money on mono? Fluoro sinks a little better and has better abrasion resistance but again, a beginner should know that fluoro is much more expensive, possibly a HUGE marketing ploy in the fly fishing world as well. It also NEVER degrades whereas mono will dissolve over time when we leave our clippings all over our rivers! :) MUCH appreciate your professionalism in your videos my friend!!

[@WhatMyLensSees]

Matt these are all amazingly awesome suggestions. Thank you. And it just goes to show, sometimes it’s very hard to put yourself back in those shoes of being 100% new to something. I’m planning on making a few more of these types of episodes and will be sure to mention these points when I do. It’s comments like yours that really make me happy about how my channel has turned out. It’s turning into a place where real, useful knowledge is shared in a kind, and helpful way. It’s so hard to find that out on the internet these days .... so, much thanks for taking the time to share!! dan

[@TroutSoup1]

What_My_Lens_Sees YOU BET! That’s why I do what I do on my channel as well. I want to give back and help share knowledge in the fly fishing world with other anglers and people who are new to it. It’s definitely an Addiction! I helped guide out of the Hatch Fly Shop for several summers 10+ years ago and gave them some tips and hints for high lakes places. You should have seen some of the newer anglers expressions when they first went to some of those places! They were like, “how are there fish up here?! It’s too beautiful!” And so on...I learned a lot from my parents and my grandfather about fly fishing here in Colorado and want to put out good info, especially for people like yourself Dan. You’re doing a great job bro

[@loydtruss]

Hi Just watched your video on tips and tricks and was so impressed. A few questions concerning your setup-----do you add more weight on any one of the lower 12" sections to get the flies down deeper and quicker? Do you add a beadhead nymph such as a Pheasant tail or hares ear nymph at any time mixed with the 3 favorite nymphs you mentioned. I am a tippet ring guy and would probably use the tippet ring to connect the 12" sections. Do you add any weights on the last 12' section? I am in the process of learning how to use weights when I am fishing some of the tailraces I fish in Alabama and Tennessee. Thanks for sharing the info

[@WhatMyLensSees]

lol ... definitely my finest artwork over my years of existence!!! So, I generally start with weight in between my first fly and my indicator. And then if I'm not seeing much action, I'll add another split shot between my second and third fly. And if I do add that weight between the second and third fly, I generally try and tie a double surgeons knot so that I have a "stopper" knot to keep the split shot from sliding down to the third fly. Generally speaking, I'm adjusting weight all day long depending on the kind of water I'm fishing. And usually know I've found the right amount when I'm pulling up some muck/seaweed/algae every few casts. I do use lots of different flies in addition to the ones I mentioned in the video. And anything with a heavier head (usually fish tungsten bead heads) is what I gravitate towards usually. The one downside of the extra split shot is that it's easier to tangle up ... especially on a sloppy cast or high winds. But once you get the hang of it, you're likely to find lots of fish! Good luck with it and Happy Thanksgiving my friend! Dan

[@kumbofishingusa]

I want to try fly fishing, but I just don't to spend so much money on fishing gears. I got so many rods .

[@WhatMyLensSees]

It’s a constant struggle for me as well 🤣