This unit is focused on equipment and techniques specific to fly fishing.
For additional information and teaching resources on fishing regulations and safety, fish identification, and fisheries management, see the Fish Iowa! Basic Spincasting Module.
Preface
Preface
The Fish Iowa! Basic Spincasting Module was designed for educators to teach novices basic spincasting skills, as well as fishing regulations and safety. resource managment concepts, fish identification and care for the catch. The Fly Fishing Basics unit provides additional resources for those who want to learn more about fly fishing equipment and techniques.
The DNR also supports a host of other outdoor skills efforts including hunter education, archery, shooting sports, paddling, and more. For more information about these and other conservation education resources, visit our website.
Background
A basic fly fishing unit was first launched in 2007. In 2022-2023, we revised the content and converted the unit to this web-based format. Development and support resources for Fish Iowa! are funded by fishing license revenue. Thank you, Iowa anglers.
Equal Opportunity
Federal regulations prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex or handicap. State law prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, or disability. If you believe you have been discriminated against in any program, activity or facility as described above, or if you desire further information, please write to the Iowa DNR, Wallace State Office Building, 502 E. Ninth St., Des Moines, IA 50319.
Sport Fish Restoration – Improving Iowa’s Fishery
Congress passed the Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act (SFR) in 1950 to help restore our nation’s sport fisheries and to fund aquatic education, boating, and angling activities. The Act placed an excise tax on fishing equipment and, later, a portion of the tax imposed on motor boat fuels was also designated for SFR. In the past 50 years Iowa anglers and boaters have contributed over $44 million to SFR through their purchases of fishing equipment and motor boat fuels.
Funds are used to construct new lakes; improve fishing; maintain and expand angling and boating access; restore and protect fish habitat; improve hatchery facilities and techniques; and provide the nationally recognized. award-winning aquatic education program, Fish Iowa!
Unit Overview
Unit Overview
Objectives
Students will become familiar with the functions of the various parts of a fly fishing outfit.
Students will learn the procedures to tie basic fly fishing knots.
Students will learn basic procedures for casting with fly fishing equipment.
Students will be introduced to basic care of fly fishing equipment.
Students will participate in a fly fishing experience.
Subject Areas
Physical Education (Aquatics, Leisure/lifetime activities); Life Science; Earth Science
Time
1-2 50-minute class periods (longer if a fishing experience is included)
Note: Refer to the Fish Iowa! Basic Spincasting Module for information and teaching resources on regulations, general fishing safety, fisheries management, and fish identification.
Background Information
Background Information
Internet Archive Book Images, via Wikimedia Commons
This section includes the sport's history and differences between fly-fishing and spincasting.
Explore different lures (flies) used in fly fishing and common knots used to assemble a fly fishing rig.
NPS/Jim Peaco, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
This section breaks down the basic steps for casting.
Fly Fishing Terms
Fly Fishing Terms
Fly rod
Tip top - very end line guide on a fly fishing rod
Tip section - section of a rod farthest from the butt section; end of rod
Snake guide - twisted wire guides on a fly rod
Ferrule - connects sections of a fly rod
Stripping guide - large line guide found closest to the fly reel
Butt section - bottom, thick section of a fly rod
Hook keeper - small loop on the fly rod near the reel used to store the hook
Grip (handle) - area of cork or foam near the butt end of the fly rod; hold the grip in your dominant hand
Reel seat - threaded metal cylinder that secures the reel to the rod
Fly reel
Foot -broad base of the fly reel that connects to the rod
Handle - knob on one side, used to turn the reel and wind up line
Spool release - screw, latch, or push-button used to pull the two rims of the reel apart
Line guard - located on edge of the reel on some reels; originally to protect against grit picked up by the dressing on silk line; not all newer reels have them
Counter weight - used to balance the spool
Palming rim - rounded outside edge on some reels; palming is used to manually control the drag
Vent holes
Line
Backing - usually braided line, it adds length to the fly line
Fly line
Level line - does not change thickness
Double tapered line - tapers at both ends
Weight forward line - typically has a short, fine front taper followed by heavier line, then slender line
Leader - length of tapered, fine diameter line that connects the fly line to the fly
Butt - largest diameter, attached to the fly line
Midsection - between the butt and the tippet
Tippet - section of leader attached to the fly
Fly
Dry fly - designed to float on the surface
Wet fly - fished below the surface
Nymph - wet fly, imitates the larval form of aquatic insects
Streamer - wet fly, intended to imitate minnows
Topwater / Bass bug - fishing on the surface; fished in a way to create a commotion that attracts large predatory fish species
Knots
Arbor knot - used to attach backing to the fly reel
Nail knot - used to join two lines of different diameter
Surgeon's knot- used to join lines together
Improved clinch knot - used to attach line to lure (fly)
Casting
Overhead cast - basic fly fishing cast
Grip - hand position on the rod
Stance - foot placement for the cast
Backcast - part of the overhead cast that carries line back and "loads" the line for the forward cast
Forward cast - second part of the cast that uses the energy in the loaded rod to propel line forward
Introduction [overview of history and how it differs from spincasting]
Equipment [includes an overview of the rod, reel, line]
Flies and Knots [covers different types of flies and knots to assemble your rig]
Casting [breaks down the steps to a successful cast]
Educator Packet [activities to teach the Fish Iowa! Fly Fishing Basics unit]
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