Flyers are considered the greatest ascetics among anglers. Nothing unusual, since they are constantly discussing everything, even about throwing techniques. Wolfgang will tell you, how to properly hold a fly rod in your hand.
All over the world, the gesture of a clenched fist with a raised thumb means something positive. In the fishing community, however, such a gesture has more meanings. It's not just informing a colleague, that you are satisfied with the results, it is also a sign, that grayling or trout just come to the surface well. If, however, this was the way to catch a fly (with thumbs up), many colleagues would only look with pity. A modern fly fisherman uses delicate equipment – because very sophisticated throwing techniques, and precision is only possible then, when the index finger of the hand holding the rod is extended. Of course, the finger raised up does not lose any of its educational significance. Slender carbon fiber rods allow you to rely on their extraordinary elasticity when unwinding the line. The angler throws without the slightest effort, and the straightened index finger is like a natural extension of the stick. English throwing techniques are more effective and give many anglers a lot of fun, Nevertheless, more and more colleagues prefer to pass the fly without excessively waving the stick, ascetic and effortless. Some of us tend to attach enormous importance to the smallest details. After that, as I once got into a heated discussion, which was predictable anyway, with some passionate advocate of modern bait feeding techniques, I took a little closer look at my hands last season, how my fingers behave at different times of fishing.
1. Thirsty for fishing, the index finger of the right hand straightened at the start of the season on the handle of the stick and hardly moved when fishing for trout and grayling. Does not matter, whether I was dry fishing, wet, or for a heavy nymph – goldenhead, just above the bottom. When I was fishing with a dry fly my index finger was straightened even while hauling. After all, the dry fly is thrown quite often.
2. It was a bit different when fishing for a nymph. The index finger was lowered down and was constantly helping to pick the line and place it in the hand. Selecting the line on the fly almost completely eliminates the line bulging during the flow of the bait. However, at the time of resuming the throw, the index finger returned to its original one, the threatened position.
3. Where! The fish is pretty nice. A firm grip on the rod and a light support of the end of the handle on the forearm. "Unity is strength" – the index finger went to the four "partners" and closed on the handle of the stick.
4. By throwing against strong winds with the double acceleration technique or by fishing with a streamer, my thumb went up by itself. The last swing of the stick, however, was mainly from the wrist.
Final remarks: there is no rule as to how to hold a fly. It all depends on the activity being performed and the fishing technique. After all, even when fishing for pike with streamers, “the line goes down nicely at first, and then up ".
In the margin: trout is completely indifferent, how a fly tighter holds the rod. The fish are much more interested in this, which is tied to the leader at the end of the string.