Selecting the Right Tackle
Selecting the Right Tackle
One of the most important things to consider when fly fishing is choosing your tackle the right way. Many people overlook this important factor and start with the wrong assumptions. They first buy the rod, then the line to match the rod, then the reel and then they buy the flies they will need to fish. The fact is the flies are the most important in determining weather or not you will be catching any fish.The tackle selection process should go as follows:First you must select the correct flies that you will be using to catch the type of fish you will be attempting to catch. The type of fly that is abundant in that particular environment. We will get into the types of flies to use in the right environment later on in the book. For now, accept that the fly should be chosen first.Lines:Once the fly assortment has been chosen, the next logical progression should be the line that will be used to catch the fish. The major between fly fishing, spinning and plug casting, is that with the last two types of tackle, the lure is used as a weight that drags the line from the reel to the target point of fishing. Flies are almost weightless, so you will need something to haul the line to the target area. That weight is the fly line, which can be linked to an unrolling sinker. Just before the stop of the back cast and the forward cast, the line is straight. On the stop the line begins unrolling, transporting the fly to the target area.There are four basic types of fly lines: Level taper, double taper, weight forward and shooting taper. Now, within these four tapers there are many variations. Some companies produce several hundred of fly lines. The good thing however, is that once you decide what type of fishing you will be doing, you'll be using only a specific type of line.Lines are given numbers from 1-15, and the most commonly used lines are numbered 3-12 in weight. As a rule the first 30 feet of a line is weighted and this line must be matched to the rod for optimum casting. Since most anglers have a variety of different outfits, each outfit is then matched to a different line to match each rod.As a rule, most manufacturers will have a label attached to each reel, which will usually indicate the lines' weight or number.About The AuthorBrett Fogle is the publisher of Fly Fishing Secrets, an insiders guide to flyfishing tips and techniques of the pros. To sign up for free flyfishing tips and other articles, please visit www.fly-fishing-secrets.com.brett@macarthurwatergardens.com
Choosing the Right Golf Balls
Choosing the Right Golf Balls
You've watched Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson on television ? you know the brand of golf balls they use. And they're good, right? You should be able to use the same brand of golf balls and be good too, right? Wrong!Maybe using the same type golf balls as the PGA golf pros will improve your game...and maybe it won't. You need to choose the golf ball that's right for your own game. Choosing the wrong kind of golf ball can be a bigger handicap to your game than starting at the 19th hole. Choosing the right kind of golf ball can have you feeling like a Tiger, even if you don't quite have his handicap.Golf balls come in three styles: 2-piece, 3-piece, and high performance. 2-piece golf balls are designed for improving your distance, while 3-piece and high performance golf balls can typically help with accuracy.The 2-piece golf balls are especially good if you're just starting out or if you've played just enough to know you really want to give this sport a try. They're also terrific for high handicap golfers who have been around a while. Hey, we can't all be pros! These are the most common type on the market and usually less expensive than 3-piece balls. Best of all, the large rubber core provides faster speed off the tee for those of you with a slow swing. In turn, that gives you greater distance.It could happen that the first time you played, everyone was astounded at the way you slammed that little white ball with the power of a major league batter aiming for a grand slam. But that's doubtful. Distance is usually developed over time as you develop your swing and find the groove. When you are just beginning, chances are you need to improve your accuracy more than your distance. Once you've developed your accuracy, then is the time to choose a golf ball and clubs that will help improve your distance.If you haven't developed consistent accuracy ? that is, having the ball consistently land in the same "general" area each time ? then the 3-piece golf ball probably isn't right for you. It's just not as forgiving of miss-hits as the 2-piece golf ball. The same goes for high performance balls. They're pretty much designed for advanced golfers...and their price bears this out!One factor to always be considered is cost. Simple, standard 2-piece golf balls usually come in 18-packs and are relatively inexpensive. The cost of golf balls may seem small in comparison to the overall cost of pursuing the sport but the inexperienced golfer can go through a lot of golf balls in a very short space of time!The key, as with most golf equipment, is to choose the right kind of golf ball for your level of play. Consider your swing and your game, and then choose the ball that will help eliminate your weaknesses and build upon your strengths.If you don't choose the right golf ball for your level of play, your golf round might just become what Mark Twain once called it: "...a pleasant walk, spoiled".Copyright 2005 Donald SaundersNewcomers to the world of golf may find choosing the right golf balls a difficult task. Check out the local suppliers in your area and don't be too tempted by those personalized golf balls or logo golf balls that are all the rage today.