Kyle's Question:

Mr. Williams: I am a 12-year-old who is just getting into fly fishing and fly tying. I just got a fly rod and a fly tying kit. How can a kid like me learn more about this sport?

Kyle Brock

Mark's Answer:

Kyle,

You are a lucky young man, being introduced into such an awesome, lifelong sport like fly fishing at such an age.

	Ask Mark a Question! Expert Answers Archive

More than ever before, information is available to learn more about fly fishing. First, you ought to get a book or two. I recommend getting an introduction to fly fishing primer, and a basic fly tying book.

It is important to take this step by step, because learning any kind of complicated hobby is an ongoing process. Even we adults who have been doing this a long time are still learning each time we go fly fishing.

When you read these books, take the time to try some of the instructions. When you get to the part about knots, get out some string and practice tying the knots. It's easier to learn it correctly with yarn in your home, than when you are standing in the middle of stream with trout rising all around you.

Next, you might consider joining a local fly fishing club. Don't worry that most of these clubs are adults — that just means you'll have a lot of older folks to learn from. Visit your local fly shop and make friends with the folks who run the shop. Most fly shops offer weekly fly tying classes for free.

Most fly shop employees will be glad to take you outside and help you with your casting. And most shops offer day schools for a reasonable amount of money (perfect for a birthday present) where you will learn about casting, tying and catching.

You'll also want to visit the Internet for more information. Here on GORP, you can find articles showing you various skills, regional destinations, species of fish and much more. If and when you have questions, get back on the Fishing Forum and post it. The fishing community we have here will have the answer (or several of them).

Take advantage of this great sport's participants — they are more than willing to help a new sportsman like yourself.