Tips that can improve the quality and reduce aggravation of your fly fishing experience.

Lines/leaders:

• Stretch fly lines, leaders and running lines before use
• Check and change line connections often
• Retie knots after fighting many or larger fish, don't be lazy
• Check condition of leader after fighting fish
• Clean your line often
• Ask others on the water what line they are catching them on
• Simplify leaders, the less knots the better

Rods:

• Pre rig rod and leave the tube in car
• Treat the rod with extreme caution, a hit now can be a break later
• Clean and check guides, especially for cracked ceramic stripping guide
• Inspect and wipe rod down with silicone often, don't get any on ferrules
• Check tightness of ferrules before the rod tip falls in the water
• Buy the better rod with a faster taper
• Store rod in horizontal position when running from spot to spot Casting:
• Buy and study Mel Krieger's video "The essence of Fly Casting"
• Practice on a field, not on the water with fish breaking all around you
• Get a deeper stripping basket, with a bungee or wader belt, not stiff canvas
• Reel up your line when the boat makes a run to the next spot
• Practice casting in every direction
• Be able to cast equally well forward and backwards
• Turn your head and watch your line
• Cover water efficiently by using the "fan" method
• Limit back casts to three or less
• Too much line in the air during false casting equals failure-learn to shoot the line

Retrieving:

• Learn to tuck rod under your arm and pick up slack before retrieve
• Vary your retrieve, put in frequent pauses and quick jerk to trigger a strike
• Vary position of the stripping basket depending (lower, to the side)
• Learn to speed retrieve using the hand over hand method
• Cast farther and leave the fly in the water longer to increase success
• Observe others carefully and imitate successful retrieve Flies:
• Check the fly feathers and hook point often
• Think light or dark, or bright (attractor) or natural (match hatch)
• Ask what fly other guys are catching them on
• Use wire leaders for bluefish, fine American fishing wire can be knotted
• Get rid of the barbs on the hook
• Carry pliers that have a side cutter
• Carry a hook file, and sharpen often

Fighting fish:

• When setting the hook don't lift the rod "bassmaster" style
• Set hook using direct pull or "trigger" after you feel the weight of the fish
• Never hold onto rod above the handle when fighting fish
• During the fight, try to keep rod more horizontal than vertical
• Get the fish on the reel as soon as possible
• Use a net or Boga grip the fish at boat side don't leader lift fish aboard

Enjoyment:

• Keep an open mind. Be ready and willing to try new things. Be a sponge!
• Dress warmer than normal and prepare for the worst and hope for the best
• Invest in the best Polarized sunglasses you can afford
• Don't get caught up in tackle. Keep things simple!
• Leave your cell phone and pager in the car
• Don't "pre-think" the water. Adapt to the water and let nature guide you