There are so many ways to enjoy your time in Colorado. You can ski, hike, walk, and fish—sometimes all on the same day.
When it comes to fishing, Colorado has ample opportunities to give you great ways to fish and experience the spectacular outdoors. Lakes, streams, creeks, and rivers are brimming with trout and other fish.
There are various techniques to catch fish. Some people choose the purity of fly-fishing while others opt for the dynamism of spin-fishing. Whichever you choose, you will need the right equipment to help you fish.
A fly rod differs from a spinning rod because the purpose of the fishing experience is different. Fly-fishing aims at capturing fish by fooling it into believing the fly is a real bug. Spin-fishing uses heavy lures whose goal is to annoy fish and make them bite.
Fly-Fishing Techniques
In the case of fly-fishing, the whole action is carried by the line. The fly itself is almost weightless and it’s the weight of the line and the casting technique that present the fly to the fish in a natural way—so natural that it tricks them into believing that the fly is a bug or insect that has just landed on the water.
The weighted line gives movement to the whole process and helps the angler present the fly from various angles and from a distance. Fly-fishing lines are usually coated to give them more weight and deliver the best movement through casting. The fly-fishing rod is thin and long and is adjusted to the weight of the line and the fly itself.
Spin-Fishing Techniques
The technique for spin-fishing is based on the lure. There are numerous lures to choose from but they all have one thing in common: they are all heavy. When spin-fishing, the line doesn’t carry the movement. Instead, it’s the lure that leads the way, since it’s heavier. This makes casting much easier when spin-fishing.
What’s the Difference between Fly-Fishing and Spin-Fishing?
Purpose of Fishing
Fly-fishing requires patience, attention to detail, and precise technique. Anglers usually aim for trout, one fish at a time, and cover small distances within the body of water.
Spin-fishing is great for catching more fish and helps cover greater water distances.
Rod Types
A fly-fishing rod is lighter and thinner compared to a spin-fishing one. The line is heavier and fly-fishing uses flies instead of lures. Spin-fishing uses heavier rods and lures but the line doesn’t need to be heavy or weighted. Spin rods are either open-faced or closed-faced and have no trigger at their base.
The spin rod is more versatile and can catch various fish sizes. On the other hand, fly rods come in different numbers and weights, depending on the type and weight of fish you target.
Water Body
Spin-fishing usually happens in still water such as lakes, although you may also go spin-fishing in the sea. Fly-fishing is more suited to streams and rivers where water flows.
Anglers like to observe the water before casting their fly line. They like to see where fish are located, what types of aquatic or terrestrial bugs are nearby, and even to evaluate the time of day and the type of flora usually present.
Spin-fishing is easier and more straightforward. It keeps you on your toes and is commonly more active. It also tends to catch more fish than fly-fishing.
Can I Switch Rods?
Ideally, you will have the right rod for the type of fishing and the technique you feel more comfortable with.
If you go spin-fishing and have a fly rod, you could probably use it with a little bit of adjustment. A spin rod, however, can’t be used for fly-fishing because it’s too inflexible for the casting techniques required. The lure is too heavy, the line too light, and the rod won’t comply with the casting techniques you use for fly-fishing.
Fly Fishing Outfitters
Here at Fly Fishing Outfitters in Vail, Colorado, we enjoy our closeness to nature. Fly-fishing gives us the opportunity to be in the water and experience the changes in nature. We observe and admire how fish adapt to the seasons and we adjust our techniques accordingly.
We like fly fishing because of the attention to detail and precision it requires. Patience and casting techniques are what make fly-fishing more appealing to us. The quantity of fish caught is not as much of a concern. After all, we are a catch-and-release fly-fishing store and school.
We love showing customers how to read the water and evaluate the type of fly that will appeal to fish. It requires a whole set of skills that involve physical and mental awareness.
