Fly Fishing Q&A

The next several blog posts will consist of a questionnaire I sent to various fly fishing experts. They are fly shop owners, guides and industry professionals. I sent them the Q&A because each has a different take on fly fishing and all are exceptional anglers with unique strengths and experiences. Before I post their answers or really, their opinions (since there are no right or wrong “answers” here) I’d like you to copy and paste the statements and rate each line appropriately, then save your draft. As I post each industry professional’s opinion, compare your results to theirs. It should be interesting to see how each angler rates the importance of each line vs. the results you and I produce.

As you ponder each line, keep in mind I’m not looking for answers to specific situations, just your take on Trout fishing as a whole.

On a scale of 1 to 10 please rate each line’s importance in maximizing fly fishing success for Trout.

1 = not important, 10 = very important

How important are the following: (1-10)

Casting ability =

Knot tying skills =

Ability to read water =

Fly selection (available options in an anglers fly box) =

Fly pattern selection (Royal Wulff, hares ear, Prince etc…) =

Wading ability/technique =

Quality of the fly rod =

Quality of the fly reel =

Quality of the fly line =

Quality of leader and tippet =

Quality of hooks =

For the statements below please use 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5 for your answers.

1 = strongly disagree, 2 = disagree, 3 = indifferent, 4 = agree, 5 = strongly agree.

Ultra fast action rods are best for Trout fishing =

Fast action rods are best for Trout fishing =

Medium-fast action rods are best for Trout fishing =

Slow action rods are best for Trout fishing =

Fly pattern trumps presentation =

Presentation trumps fly pattern =

Thin tippet is more important for dry flies than it is for nymphs =

Thin tippet is more important for nymphs than it is for dry flies =

Tying your own flies is crucial to maximizing success =

Fluorocarbon tippet is best for nymphing =

Fluorocarbon tippet is best for dry flies =

Fluorocarbon tippet is best for streamers =

Nylon tippet is best for dry flies =

http://www.facebook.com/podobed Daniel Podobed

Casting ability = 9
Knot tying skills =5
Ability to read water =9
Fly selection (available options in an anglers fly box) =7
Fly pattern selection (Royal Wulff, hares ear, Prince etc…) =4
Wading ability/technique =7
Quality of the fly rod =1
Quality of the fly reel =3
Quality of the fly line =5
Quality of leader and tippet =8
Quality of hooks =8
Ultra fast action rods are best for Trout fishing =3
Fast action rods are best for Trout fishing =3
Medium-fast action rods are best for Trout fishing =3
Slow action rods are best for Trout fishing =3
Fly pattern trumps presentation =1
Presentation trumps fly pattern =5
Thin tippet is more important for dry flies than it is for nymphs =4
Thin tippet is more important for nymphs than it is for dry flies =2
Tying your own flies is crucial to maximizing success =5
Fluorocarbon tippet is best for nymphing =5
Fluorocarbon tippet is best for dry flies =3
Fluorocarbon tippet is best for streamers =5
Nylon tippet is best for dry flies =3
http://www.ncflyfishingteam.com Paul Bourcq

Casting ability = 9
Knot tying skills =10
Ability to read water =10
Fly selection (available options in an anglers fly box) =3
Fly pattern selection (Royal Wulff, hares ear, Prince etc…) =3
Wading ability/technique =7
Quality of the fly rod =1
Quality of the fly reel =1
Quality of the fly line =7
Quality of leader and tippet =10
Quality of hooks =9
Ultra fast action rods are best for Trout fishing =2
Fast action rods are best for Trout fishing =5
Medium-fast action rods are best for Trout fishing =3
Slow action rods are best for Trout fishing =2
Fly pattern trumps presentation =1
Presentation trumps fly pattern =5
Thin tippet is more important for dry flies than it is for nymphs =4
Thin tippet is more important for nymphs than it is for dry flies =2
Tying your own flies is crucial to maximizing success =4
Fluorocarbon tippet is best for nymphing =5
Fluorocarbon tippet is best for dry flies =3
Fluorocarbon tippet is best for streamers =3
Nylon tippet is best for dry flies =4
http://www.utahflyfishingclub.com Travis Gillespie

_Casting ability =10_ _Knot tying skills =8_ _Ability to read water =10_ _Fly selection (available options in an anglers fly box) =7_ _Fly pattern selection (Royal Wulff, hares ear, Prince etc…) =7_ _Wading ability/technique =8_ _Quality of the fly rod =8_ _Quality of the fly reel =5_ _Quality of the fly line =8_ _Quality of leader and tippet =7_ _Quality of hooks =10_ _ _Ultra fast action rods are best for Trout fishing =2_ _Fast action rods are best for Trout fishing =5_ _Medium-fast action rods are best for Trout fishing =3_ _Slow action rods are best for Trout fishing =1_ _Fly pattern trumps presentation =1_ _Presentation trumps fly pattern =5_ _Thin tippet is more important for dry flies than it is for nymphs =4_ _Thin tippet is more important for nymphs than it is for dry flies =3_ _Tying your own flies is crucial to maximizing success =5_ _Fluorocarbon tippet is best for nymphing =5_ _Fluorocarbon tippet is best for dry flies =2_ _Fluorocarbon tippet is best for streamers =5_ _Nylon tippet is best for dry flies = 3__PS. Great idea Lance. Can't wait to see the experts take on these questions.
https://www.facebook.com/troutbum4ever Ross Slayton

How important are the following: (1-10)
Casting ability = 7
Knot tying skills = 10
Ability to read water = 9
Fly selection (available options in an anglers fly box) = 10
Fly pattern selection (Royal Wulff, hares ear, Prince etc…) = 9
Wading ability/technique = 4
Quality of the fly rod =5
Quality of the fly reel =8
Quality of the fly line =5
Quality of leader and tippet =7
Quality of hooks =9

1 = strongly disagree, 2 = disagree, 3 = indifferent, 4 = agree, 5 = strongly agree.

Ultra fast action rods are best for Trout fishing =2
Fast action rods are best for Trout fishing =2
Medium-fast action rods are best for Trout fishing =5
Slow action rods are best for Trout fishing =2
Fly pattern trumps presentation =3
Presentation trumps fly pattern =5
Thin tippet is more important for dry flies than it is for nymphs =5
Thin tippet is more important for nymphs than it is for dry flies =1
Tying your own flies is crucial to maximizing success =5
Fluorocarbon tippet is best for nymphing =4
Fluorocarbon tippet is best for dry flies =2
Fluorocarbon tippet is best for streamers =5
Nylon tippet is best for dry flies =5
Alain Barthelemy

On a scale of 1 to 10 please rate each line’s importance in maximizing fly fishing success for Trout.
1 = not important, 10 = very important
How important are the following: (1-10)
Casting ability = 7
Knot tying skills = 5
Ability to read water = 10
Fly selection (available options in an anglers fly box) = 3
Fly pattern selection (Royal Wulff, hares ear, Prince etc…) = 3
Wading ability/technique = 9
Quality of the fly rod = 4
Quality of the fly reel = 1
Quality of the fly line = 2
Quality of leader and tippet = 8
Quality of hooks = 5

For the statements below please use 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5 for your answers.
1 = strongly disagree, 2 = disagree, 3 = indifferent, 4 = agree, 5 = strongly agree.
Ultra fast action rods are best for Trout fishing = 1
Fast action rods are best for Trout fishing = 2
Medium-fast action rods are best for Trout fishing = 4
Slow action rods are best for Trout fishing = 3
Fly pattern trumps presentation = 1
Presentation trumps fly pattern = 5
Thin tippet is more important for dry flies than it is for nymphs = 1
Thin tippet is more important for nymphs than it is for dry flies = 4
Tying your own flies is crucial to maximizing success = 3
Fluorocarbon tippet is best for nymphing = 3
Fluorocarbon tippet is best for dry flies = 2
Fluorocarbon tippet is best for streamers = 3
Nylon tippet is best for dry flies = 4

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