Many folks who constantly look for peace and tranquility in nature are not aware of how enjoyable fly fishing can be. This activity combines the sport of fishing with the awesomeness of nature. Many locations that have a high content of trout and other fish are far away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

This type of fishing is commonly done when the individual’s legs are submerged under water; this gives them a more plumbed angle with the edge of the water and optimizes the casting of the fly fishing rod. The rod is usually made of fiberglass or graphite and the reel is shaped like a small film reel. In addition, this type of fishing uses a fly for bait without weighting it below the surface; the fly is meant to lightly land on the top of the water. The size fly used for fly fishing in dependent upon what size trout the angler is trying to land. If big fish take up home in the pond or brook, it is best to bait the hook with a medium kind of fly. Bigger breed flies are mostly used for larger breed fish, for instance: Steel-head and Salmon.

Fly fishing, however, is a one of a kind style of fishing. It takes the right technique in the release of the bait and line and specifically how the line lands on the water. While the fisherman is wading in the brook or stream, he/she is to whip the fly back and forth in the air while paying particular attention to how the fly lands. This action is the most important aspect of fly fishing; if cast improperly, the angler will go home empty-handed. So, because of this, it takes good practice to perfect the action of the cast when fly fishing.

The rod is the main ingredient in the action produced when either landing a fish, or whipping the fly back and forth. While the individual needs to practice to get better at casting, the rod is also a major component of the casting ability and landing abilities. A rod made of medium action will allow the angler to catch medium sized fish and often times, some of the larger fish; this is the most popular among beginners. But, fast action styles are for larger fish as they reduce the risk of loosing a large fish during landing.

This exciting sport should never cause frustration. Many enthusiasts tend to get disgusted and discouraged when they begin for they cannot get a fish to take the bait because their casting has not yet been perfected. Or, maybe they can’t seem to land a fish once they have one hooked. These are methods that are developed after much practice. The main thing while learning is getting outside to enjoy mother nature and the river. Many rivers, like the ones in Colorado, are magnificent and picturesque with or without catching fish!

Our series of articles on Freshwater Fishing Gear continues as we try to remove the fright of selecting fishing gear from the novice angler.

We address a wide range of fishing gear including reels, rods, baits, lines, and a ton of other gear. We hope by the conclusion of the series that you will be able to buy the exact fishing tackle for the type of fishing you will be doing.

The first subject reviewed is the fishing reel, starting with the spincast, spinning and baitcast reels. These reels have many differences but basically do the same job, you cannot say that about the final reel in our series. The Fly Fishing Reel was designed as a way to manage your fishing line and is not used for casting or reeling in your catch.

Without a fly casting reel you would be tripping over slack line and working to bring in or let out line with each cast. The fly casting reel has always been very basic in terms of the way it is built, little has changed from their initial construction.

To utilize a fly reel you spool off line by hand, cast forward, and then release as the rod snaps forward. Contemporary models do integrated a drag mechanism to stop the fish from pulling out more line than is needed.

Contemporary fly reels can have high tech disc-type drag systems made of composite materials that feature wider adjustment range, consistency, and resistance to high temperatures caused by line drag. Another nice feature in recent year is an automatic fly reel mechanism for retrieving line back onto the reel with the press of a button.

Fly reels typically have bigger line spools built to cut line memory, maintain consistent drag and aid the quick recovery of slack line in case a hooked fish makes a quick turn back to the angler.

The negative aspect of the fly reel are limited use, since it is principally used for fly fishing and a much higher price tag, especially at the high end.

An affordable fly cast reel is the “Sage 1800 Series Fly Reel,” priced at only $55.00. It is an all-around reliable performer and features a lightweight, yet durable aluminum construction with a non-glare titanium finish. Built with a large arbor, this reel is equipped with a quick-release spool change, premium sealed graphite drag system and a comfortable machined handle.

We will continue with Fly Fishing Reels when our “Freshwater Fishing Gear Beginners Guide” series continues.

What makes a person want to get out of a warm bed at 4 a.m. and head out to sit in a boat while trying to catch a fish? I’m sure most people don’t have a clue as to why they like to fish or what prompted them to do it in the first place. Whatever the reason, each year multitudes of people take up the sport of fishing. Many of these newbies will wander off to their local sporting goods store or Big Box Store to buy the cheapest Fishing Tackle they can find.

If you’re one of these people, or you are wondering about doing something similar, then here’s a simple Plan about how to select basic fishing tackle versus obtaining over hyped fishing tackle you don’t need. Catching Bass is not hard. They’re a predator fish so they’re generally hungry.

Fist off, get the notion that fishing gear has to be expensive or complicated to catch fish out of your head. Remember, fish are predators. They’re not overly smart and anything that resembles a baitfish gets put on their menu. This point was drove home early in my fishing career. Me and a buddy had been out Bass fishing on our local lake. We hadn’t had much success. Back at the boat ramp, an Old Man and a young kid came motoring up. They each had a stringer full of Black Bass.

It was very humbling to be done in by an Old Man and Kid with basic tackle. But it goes to prove that you don’t need complex gear to catch Bass. These two people simply went out and found the Bass and gave them what they wanted. Food!

The basic fishing equipment you’ll need to start catching Bass is a Rod and Reel, line and bait. That’s all there is to it. As for rods and reels, your local sporting goods store or Wal-Mart has an excellent selection. I’d suggest a Rod and Reel combo like the Zebco 33 and a matching rod. This should set you back about $25 or so.

Level wind reels take quite a bit of experience and practice to use properly. Spinning reels are not as difficult to use, but you do need to know how to properly cast one or you’ll end up with a mess on your hands.

Next on your equipment comes the fishing line. If you bought a rod and reel combo, chances are it came with line already on it. If not, or you want to change the line, then I’d suggest a 10lb line from either Stren or Trilene. There are other manufacturers out there, but these two have been around a long time and manufacture quality fishing line.

Next comes the bait. Again, there’s no use in getting complicated here. Just ignore all the boasting and B.S.ing from the marketing material and you’ll be fine. For live bait fishing, start by selecting hooks in the 1/0 to 3/0 range. Eagle Claw makes excellent live bait hooks. Get a selection of weights and Balsa bobbers and you’re set for live bait fishing. For artificial bait, you only need a few selections. Plastic grubs with curly tails in the colors of forage fish are good choices. I like White, Yellow, Black and Blue or Green. Grab up a silver Johnson spoon and a Rapala swimming minnow and you’ll be set. Make sure you look at the rod to see what range of lure weights it’s rated for. Don’t get lures too heavy for your rod.

Now you have all you need to start fishing for Bass. See, I told you it’s not complicated. Sure, the lure and equipment manufacturers will hate you for not spending hundreds of dollars on their products, but let the next sucker buy all that junk. You just want to go out and have fun catching fish!

Every year, the fishing bug catches inumerable people. Whether it is from watching fishing shows on Cable TV or just the yearning to go out and catch a Bass, beginners from all walks of life head off to the nearest Big Box Store or local Tackle Shop to obtain their first fishing equipment for Bass fishing.

If you are planning on learning how to fish, or you’re thinking about doing something similar, then here’s a easy-to-follow Plan about how to select basic fishing tackle versus buying over hyped fishing tackle you don’t need. Catching Bass is not hard. They’re a predator fish so they’re generally hungry.

You need to understand that most fish are predators and will eat any number of things. If it looks like a baitfish, acts like a baitfish or smells like a batifish, it’s in danger of ending up on their menu. Fishing isn’t nearly as complicated as many of the so-called Guru’s would have you to believe. They’re just trying to sell products for their Sponsors. I learned this lessons the hard way many years ago. My Buddy and I were outfished on our local lake by an Old Man and his Grandkids using nothing more than Zebco 33′s and minnows.

This Old Man and boy proved a very simple point. That it doesn’t take the latest and greatest lures or fishing equipment to catch Bass. You can get started for less than $100 and have just as good of chance of catching the biggest Bass as anyone so long as you find where the Bass are hiding.

The Zebco 33 has probably caught more Bass and other fish than any other reel in history. It’s a spincast reel and you can find these matched with rods at your local Wal-Mart. I would start out with a spincast reel as they are by far the easiest to use. Level wind reels take a lot of time and experience to master. You want to spend your time fishing, not untangling a bird nest in your reel.

Leave the Spinning and Bait Casting reels such as the ABU’s and Shimano’s for a little later. They take some experience to use. For now, you just want to focus on catching Bass! A spincast reel is an excellent reel to start with.

Next on your equipment comes the fishing line. If you bought a rod and reel combo, chances are it came with line already on it. If not, or you want to change the line, then I’d suggest a 10lb line from either Stren or Trilene. There are other manufacturers out there, but these two have been around a long time and manufacture quality fishing line.

You’re going to be looking at bait selection now. Start with live bait and work your way up to artificials. You’ll catch more Bass and bigger ones on live bait. When you’re in the Fishing Dept. of your favorite store, look for Eagle Claw live bait hooks in the 1/0 to 3/0 sizes and get a few packs. Next try and find some weights. You can generally find the ones that come several sizes to a package. Split shot is a great weight for beginners. Next, check out the floats. I like to use the Balsa wood floats. I use the slip floats. These slide up and down the line for easy adjustment. They’re held in place at the top by a knot or bobber stop. You’re now ready to head out to your fishing hole!

And that’s all you really need to get started Bass Fishing. This set up should cost you less than a $100 and once you have some experience under your belt, you’ll find it’s pretty easy to outfish the local Pro’s. The commercial fishing companies have made it seem like catching a Bass is nearly impossible unless you’re using the latest and greatest gear on the Market. Nothing could be further from the truth. Catching Bass is easy and doesn’t take a lot of sophisticated equipment!