Beginners for fly fishing usually have a different “control” over their rods. This is what happens and is expected from novice fly fishers as fly fishing rods aren't easy to handle right away. If there is anything that a newbie should avoid during the first few times of fishing, it is the wrong way of handling a fishing rod.
It is not entirely an incorrect way how to handle a fishing rod. It is just not exactly how it should be since the needed muscles and force aren't exerted this way. When you handle a fishing rod using your thumb on top of the rod handle; this position doesn't allow you to take advantage of the force and strength that your hand is capable of because your wrist is in tension.
The proper way of how to handle a fishing rod is when you don't feel any tension in your wrist between the rod and your arm. Make sure that the body of the rod handle should be well placed in between your thumb and palm. The base of the handle should just be a little well outside the palm; while your thumb should be situated on top of the rod which is directly opposite the fly reel. The index finger, at this point, should be positioned ahead of your thumb always. Just try to imagine that you are accepting a piece of paper from somebody who is directly handing it over to you. The most important indication for you to look out for which tells whether your rod-handling grip is the correct one is when you don't feel any sort of tension – at all.
Still think that you are not handling the fly rod the proper way? Think of it this way; your arm is an extension of the fly rod – seriously. When you start to feel for the rod and what it actually can deliver in effect to the water and the fish, you start to feel a sense of accomplishment. Also, keep your arms up high, overhead. This gives you better control in terms of pulling and tugging motion necessary when you have a catch.
By Shareen Aguilar
