Method

Fly fishing: how to get started

In fly fishing, the weight of the line carries the light fly to the fish. Classic targets are trout, grayling and chub.

Good for

Plan a day of Fly fishing

What you need

Single-handed fly rod, AFTM class 5 or 6, about 9 feet (270 cm) as an all-rounder
Fly reel to match the rod, ideally with a disc drag
Floating WF line in your class, for example WF6F
Backing as a reserve under the fly line, about 50 m of 20 lbs
Tapered leader the length of the rod, on a 5-weight rod with a 0.18 mm tip
Flies: gold-head nymph, hare's ear nymph, Woolly Bugger, Adams dry fly
Leader material for retying, line clippers and a fly box
Landing net, disgorger, tape measure, priest and knife

Step by step

Before you go, sort out your German fishing licence (Fischereischein), your fishing permit and the rules for the water, for example which methods and baits are allowed.
Match rod, reel and line to each other: the line weight (AFTM class) must suit the rod.
It is best to learn to cast on a course or with an experienced fly angler. Stop the back cast at 1 o'clock, the forward cast between 10 and 11 o'clock.
Practise casting on grass first until the line rolls out straight, and only then head to the water.
Start with nymphs and streamers, they usually bring the first fish faster than a dry fly.
Cast the nymph upstream at an angle and let it drift with the current. Retrieve the streamer in short pulls.
If the line twitches or the indicator stops, strike with a short pull of the rod and your line hand.
Any fish you keep, stun and kill straight away in a humane way. Unhook all the others quickly in the water.

Common mistakes

Rod, reel and line not matched: with the wrong line weight the rod does not load properly and casting becomes hard work.
Starting with a very light class 1 to 3 rod, which is only suited to special situations.
Starting straight away with a sinking line: a floating line is enough to begin with.
Buying too many fly patterns instead of a few that reliably catch.

Tips

Barbless flies are kinder to the fish and easier to remove.
A black caddis fly is easy to see in the evening against the bright sky.
Get advice in a tackle shop before you spool up the line.

Quick questions

Which fly line weight do I need as a beginner?

For trout, grayling and chub, class 5 or 6 counts as a good middle ground. A 6-weight rod of about 9 feet (270 cm) is an all-rounder that also lets you cast weighted nymphs and small streamers.

What does WF6F on a fly line mean?

WF stands for weight forward, a line with its weight up front in the head. The 6 is the line weight (AFTM class), F stands for floating. That is exactly the right line to start with.

Which flies do I need to start with?

A few are enough: a gold-head nymph, a hare's ear nymph, a Woolly Bugger in black or green and a dry fly such as the Adams. With nymphs and streamers, the first bites usually come fastest.

Check the rules

Closed seasons and minimum sizes are set by each German state (and by each country abroad) and can be stricter on individual waters. We are building an overview with sources and check dates. Until then, check the local fishing regulations and the rules of the club or permit for your water.

Sources (4)

Last checked 2026-10-10. Found a mistake? Write to [email protected].

Know more?

Additions, photos of your catches or a mistake in the text: write to us and we will gladly credit you as a helper.

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