DEMYSTIFLY

How to fight and land a fish. After the initial hookup, there are many little tricks that can be used to give the angler higher odds of a successful catch. Changing the level at which you hold the rod during the fight is just one of them. When fighting a fish, it's common for a lot of folks to just keep the rod at around the same level the entire time. In many instances this might be adequate, but throw more variables into the mix and it can be helpful if not absolutely criti

Click-pawl fly reels are the ultimate in simplicity. These ultra-basic drag systems typically offer very little to no adjustment capabilities, thus putting much of the fight literally in the hands of the angler to apply more drag pressure manually on the spool rim. Most fly reels, however, feature a drag system that offers a range of adjustments. Click-pawl reels are loads of fun and all, but it sure is nice being able to tweak the drag based on different situations. Then, th

Proper rod angle during the fight is always important, but it's even more crucial when fighting big fish from a boat. Not to be confused with the tactic of high-stick nymphing, high-sticking while fighting a fish is something I see pretty often, particularly when trying to lift up on a fish vertically. High-sticking happens when you lift your rod up too far. During the fight, ideally you never want the rod handle to go past about the 90 degree mark from the position of the fi

When shopping for a new fly reel, what features and specifications do you typically put at the top of your list? The basic cosmetics, weight, and type of drag system are likely three big ones, but does an extremely strong drag factor in for you as well? I remember a baitcasting reel several years back where the company actively marketed its robust maximum drag power. Now, I'm sure other companies were doing it beforehand (especially ones making big conventional saltwater reel

Catching big fish (unlike the one above!) can make even the most seasoned angler weak in the knees. There is, however, an even higher level of both apprehension and satisfaction associated with targeting trophy fish on light tippet. To tip the odds in your favor, I've compiled some helpful tips that you can apply whether you find yourself hooked up to a 20 inch rainbow or 100 pound tarpon! - Make sure knots are tied properly. Tie knots slowly and carefully, moisten them well

Fighting fish with proper technique is obviously essential to landing more fish. When hooked up to something like a small trout or bluegill it can be a pretty simple task, but put a big, strong, ticked-off specimen on the end of the line and it's a different story! It is then really important to be on top of your game and play the angles to keep the fish "off balance." One great way to achieve this is by applying side pressure during the fight to both turn and tire a fish mor