How to Fly Fish With a Spinning Rod

While it is not the traditional hardware used for fly-fishing, it is still possible to fly fish with a spinning rod. The technique is effective for catching various types of trout, especially when the water current in a river moves too quickly for traditional fly-rod fishing, or when the fish are swimming in deep water. With a few modifications to your spin rod and line, and the correct nymph and bobber tying method, you can fly-fish using a simple spinning rod.

Things You'll Need

  • Spinning rod
  • Line
  • Slip float
  • Nymph or fly
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Instructions

    • 1

      Select a spinning rod and line that works best for the water in which you plan to fish. A 5- to 6-foot rod works in smaller streams, whereas a 7- to 8-foot rod is better for larger bodies of water, such as larger lakes and rivers. Select a line anywhere within a 1- to 6-pound range, keeping in mind that larger or swifter water and larger fish require a heavier line.

    • 2

      Tie an oblong slip float onto your main line, approximately 12 inches above the end of the line.

    • 3

      Tie a nymph or any other fly of your choosing at the end of your line. Tie the slip float or bobber approximately 12 inches above the fly. If the slip float or bobber is larger, you may need to tie it as far as 18 inches away from the fly.

    • 4

      Cast your rod upstream in a traditional manner, either with a side cast or overhead cast. The way you cast is up to you, depending on where you stand in or near the water and your comfort level. More importantly, watch to see what happens to the rig once it hits the water. If the fly and slip float do not travel downstream at the same speed as the current, then reel in your line and tie the slip float closer to the fly to increase the drag on the line.

    • 5

      Reel in any slack in the line as soon as the line hits the water. You can hold the slack in the line with your free hand, which is a technique you would use if you had a fly rod. This helps you feel the bobbing and possible tug of a caught fish. Whenever you feel the line has gone too far from your starting position or too far downstream, reel in the line and cast it again.