This guide gathers our articles on fly fishing, saltwater fishing and individual species such as catfish, crappie, walleye and steelhead. Each section lists the related articles with a short note on what each one covers.
Related guide: our fishing gear guide.
Part of Fishing for Beginners: Complete Guide.
Fly fishing basics and techniques
- Trout without fly fishing: Covers trout behavior and alternative methods, including spin fishing.
- Does fly fishing use a hook: Covers the role of the fly fishing hook and different types.
- Choosing a fly rod and reel: Covers the basics, key components and a step-by-step guide.
- Why fly fishing nets cost more: Covers materials, manufacturing and design as price factors.
- Fly rods versus regular rods: Covers fly fishing rods, regular rods and the differences between them.
- Weights for fly fishing: Covers when weights are needed in fly fishing and matching them to conditions.
- Fly fishing for bass: Covers therapeutic benefits, bass and gear and techniques for fly fishing for bass.
- Summer fly fishing: Covers why fly fish in summer, essential gear and techniques.
- Best time to fly fish: Covers the morning, midday and afternoon for fly fishing.
- Fly fishing with a spinning rod: Covers the components of the setup, including rods and reels.
- Fly fishing net size: Covers factors in choosing a net, net sizes and materials.
Fly rod weights and lengths
- 8 weight versus 9 weight: Covers fly rod action and compares 8 weight and 9 weight rods.
- 4wt versus 5wt fly rod: Covers fly rod weight, the 4wt and the 5wt rod.
- Choosing a 3wt fly rod: Covers what a 3wt fly rod is and why choose one.
- Best length for a 4wt rod: Covers factors and pros and cons of shorter and longer 4wt rods.
- Determining fly rod weight: Covers factors to consider and how to determine the right fly rod weight.
- Best length for a 3wt rod: Covers factors and pros and cons of different lengths.
- What a 5wt fly rod is good for: Covers what a 5wt fly rod is, what it is good for and its advantages.
- 7 weight fly rods: Covers what a 7-weight fly rod is and its advantages.
- 8 weight fly rod strengths: Covers what an 8-weight rod is, when to use it and its advantages.
- Fly rod weight for trout: Covers fly rod weight, factors to consider and fly line weight.
- 2wt and 3wt fly rods: Covers fly rod weights, 2wt and 3wt rods, reels and more.
- 3wt fly rod uses: Covers small stream fishing, dry fly fishing and other uses of a 3wt rod.
- 3 weight switch rod: Covers what a 3-weight switch rod is and its benefits.
- What a 6wt fly rod is good for: Covers the basics, strengths and versatility of a 6wt fly rod.
- Saltwater fly rod weight: Covers what fly rod weight is, why it matters and how to choose it.
- Fly rod weight explained: Covers fly rod weight and fly rod length.
Fly line and accessories
- Homemade fly line dressing: Covers the basics of fly line dressing and making your own.
- Fly line dressing: Covers what fly line dressing is made of, including lubricants.
- Fly line backing: Covers what backing is and the factors affecting how long it lasts.
Saltwater and deep sea
- The Swiss oarfish: Covers an overview of the giant oarfish, its classification and discovery.
- Best time for deep sea fishing: Covers the importance of timing, deep sea fishing and the role of tides.
- What to wear deep sea fishing: Covers essential clothing, headwear and eyewear for deep sea fishing.
- Keeping fish on ice: Covers the role of ice, preparing fish for ice storage and using ice to store fish.
- Eating saltwater catfish: Covers the debate over whether saltwater catfish are edible.
- Inshore saltwater lures: Covers inshore saltwater fishing, selection criteria and the author's picks.
- Saltwater lure colors: Covers factors and color choices for saltwater lures.
- Surf fishing lures: Covers surf fishing and which lures the post lists, including soft plastic baits.
- Moon phases and saltwater fishing: Covers moon phases and their influence on inshore saltwater fishing.
- Summer fishing techniques: Covers five techniques for freshwater and saltwater, starting with topwater fishing.
Catfish, crappie, walleye and steelhead
- What colors walleye see: Covers how walleye see, eye anatomy and color perception.
- How fast crappie reproduce: Covers crappie reproduction, spawning and the journey of crappie fry.
- Hook size for steelhead: Covers steelhead and the factors to consider when choosing a hook size.
- Steelhead fishing on the Willamette: Covers steelhead, the Willamette River and the best times to fish.
- Are fish colorblind: Covers the myth of colorblind fish, fish vision and variations among species.
- Why catfish come to the surface: Covers catfish physical adaptations and feeding habits.
- How long crappie live: Covers crappie life, including black and white crappie lifespan.
- Best time to go catfishing: Covers catfish behavior and fishing early morning, daytime and other times.
- Night fishing for catfish: Covers why fish for catfish at night, the best time and bait for night fishing.
- Why crappie turn black: Covers the crappie life cycle and environmental factors.
- Walleye fishing tips: Covers walleye behavior, seasonal patterns and essential gear and tackle.
