Spring Creek Fly Fishing Equipment
by
Gene "Guido" Macri

Many fly anglers try to fish spring creeks with the wrong equipment.  Sometimes they get recommendations from websites and guides that don't live in this area and end up thinking they have the right equipment.  So here's a guide to at least help you.  Fly fishing equipment is as much a personal decision as it is a technical one.  What works for me,--- may not work for you.

• Rods: Lengths 8 to 9 feet. I prefer 8.6  to 9 foot rods because I want to keep most of the line off the water and these rods give you added reach.  I prefer 2 to 5 wts.  If you are fishing a lot of streamers obviously a stiffer heavier rod helps in hooking.  However, these rods are useless for many anglers especially if they are bit heavy handed. The so called actions on most fly rods are misleading because it's usually based with the rod fully loaded.  A good compromise is an 8.6 foot rod with a medium dry fly action. This rod will allow you to fish streamers but should be pretty good for most smaller flies on light tippets.
• Reels: You need a reel with a decent drag.  There are a lot good reels on the market today for under $100.00 that will fill this need. You should set the drag properly on these reels and YOU SHOULD PLAY THE FISH OFF THE REEL ESPECIALLY A BIG TROUT ON A LIGHT TIPPET.  You should not try and play the fish by hand..use the reel.  Anyone who tells you to play the fish by hand is an idiot on these streams. The fish are "green" fish which are usually right in front of you and have the advantage.  You'll end up losing most fish or snapping them off.  Keep your line off the ground to keep it clean and avoid catching it or hooking up on the plants and sticks in front of you.
• Leaders:  Use knotless tapered leaders.  Do not use a leader made up of  many sections because the knots will catch on everything and cause drag in the subtle currents. Add the proper amount of tippet material.  Use around 40 inches for dry flies and shorter amounts for nymphs and streamers. Be wary of braided leaders too because the upper part of the leader catches water droplets and sprays them on the stream sometimes spooking the fish. Nine to 10 foot leaders are about right.
• Lines: Any decent weighted forward or double taper will work. 

Just a couple other points which often gets lost in the translation.  Don't lift your fly rod to high heaven like those fools do on those television fly fishing shows.  While teaching at the Masters Fly Fishing School at Spruce Creek this year we all got a good laugh about this including Lefty Kreh.  The only thing we could figure is that it's something that looks good for the camera man because what it does it give the fish an advantage.  Maker the rod shorter not longer to tire a fish and keep the rod at an angle to make the fish only go one way.

Also, don't use too light an outfit in terms of how much it weighs.  Many of these outfits my customers show up with just don't balance. These outfits actually tire you out more than a slight heavier outfit which balances correctly. Also, they may throw your casting off.  I like reels little bit heavier so it balances the rod in the proper manner. For any other questions on equipment just contact me and I'll be glad to help you out.