Saltwater and Freshwater Fly Fishing: What Are The Differences?

There are lots of different places where you can go fly fishing, and each and every one has its individual variables. The two main environments for fly fishing are saltwater and freshwater. Both have their quirks and their main differences, and here we'll explain just a few of them.

Fresh Water

Freshwater environments are perhaps the most common favorite amongst fly anglers. These include lakes, streams, ponds and rivers, and they are widely distributed, with a vast array of different kinds of fish ripe for the taking. Moving water or still water, you have a number of options for fishing. You can cast from the shore; you can wade into the water and cast from there. Just take care to not be swept away by the currents! Make sure that you have the appropriate gear with you, including waders, waterproof boots, a rain jacket if you're expecting inclement weather, and, of course, a wading staff if you're looking at near-white water conditions and are still determined to fish.

Bass, bluegill, steelhead, carp and trout are just some of the fish that you can catch in many freshwater locations. The flies for each can be very different, so be sure that you know exactly what kinds of fish you’re after—or be sure to carry a variety of different flies with you when you head out!

Salt Water

Typically, this is an oceanic environment, although sometimes you can find good fishing in some of the world's saltwater lakes. Coastlines all over the world are wonderful for fly fishing. As an angler, you can stand out on a dock or a pier, you can wade in the surf, or you can ride out on a boat to get to your favored fishing spot. However, you do have to deal with tides and the waves. At certain points of the year, you’ll have to fight with astronomical high and low tides, and, if you’re fishing in storm-prone areas, rip currents are always a concern.

As compared to fresh water fly fishing, you will need a longer pole for longer casts – sometimes, fly fishing rods for ocean fishing are upwards of twelve to fourteen feet in length, and are much better suited to stronger currents and bigger takedown battles.

The fish that you can catch are generally larger, too. Mako, tuna, kingfish and blue sharks are just a few of the ocean fly fishing catches for which you can hope. What’s more, there are many groups along all of the coasts of the United States who try for record size catches with their fly lines.

Just as there are fish in the sea, there are many opportunities out there for the enterprising saltwater – or freshwater – angler!