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Step 1
Know the differences between the major parts of your rod and reel assembly. The fly rod is your most important piece of equipment. The reel is less important since fly fishermen tend to strip their fly back in by hand without using the reel at all.
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Step 2
Choose the right rod length. The right rod length not only depends on your height and how much weight you are able to support with your hands but also on what type of fish you are angling for. Rods generally come in lengths from 6 to 10 feet.
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Step 3
Identify the various parts of your rod. Fly rods come in thousands of different sizes and styles, but every rod consists of a few common parts. The rod blank is the central shaft everything is built around; at the butt of the rod is an area known as the reel seat, where the foot of the fly reel is slipped into place. Just above this is the rod handle, which is the place where you actually place your hands when holding the rod. Attached to the blank are rod guides, which are where your fly lines slide through so they can be guided properly in and out of their reels.
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Step 4
Choose a casting technique. Depending on the situation, other casts may be more appropriate than others. During a forward cast, for instance, the rod will be gripped such that most of the work can be done by the forearm as the rod is swung back over the shoulder and then whipped forward again. Other casts involve different sets of arm muscles and slightly different hand grips. Watch other anglers. See what works for them, and then experiment on your own until you've discovered what works best for you.
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Step 5
Keep the fly line up against the rod handle when actively fishing. This is usually done with the index finger of the casting arm. The free arm is then used to pull line from the reel or retrieve line from the water. This two-handed distribution of labor is important especially once a fish strikes and there is an ensuing struggle.
