Hard to believe how many words have passed since we started this adventure. A great deal has been said about a lot of subjects, ranging from the fly line, to tippets, leaders, and knots, to the fly rod; and finally, the fly reel. Taken together, these components constitute the fly fishing system. With these discussions serving as the backdrop, it�s time to offer a few thoughts about putting the components together into a fly fishing system designed to catch your favorite fish.

The Ground Rules. I have yet to meet the guy or gal who knows all there is to know about fly fishing. However, I�ve met some folks who think they do ... The truth is those who consider themselves "so gifted" are usually at the pinnacle of mediocrity. Their minds are closed to new thoughts, concepts, or ideas. Suffering as they do from applied rigidity, there is only one way to do things � their way!

Should one of these folks cross your path, have empathy. What you are witnessing is the awesome power of the Ancient Fish Gods in action -- Their Curse has a way of boiling the brains of otherwise sane mortals into screwed-up cooked spaghetti. Fortunately, I am beyond the Curse. With an old wrinkled mind, hardened by sun, sea, and wind, I am well aware that I did not invent fly fishing; further, I will never know everything about the subject. Sad, but true! Therefore -- I say to all readers -- what�s good for Pachyderm 6, my call sign many years ago, might not be good for you. On second thought, it just might be �

For what it is worth, I believe successful fly fishing depends on the thoroughness of your initial planning and careful selection of the system components that suit you and your fishing environment. Frequently, I see people arm themselves with long rods -- at least 9-feet if not longer � and immediately experience frustration. For some reason, it seems the 9-foot fly rod has become the industry�s standard. While I have listened to a lot of reasons attempting to explain this "fact," none make a hell-of-a-lot of sense. If you expect me to believe that the difference of 6- to 12-inches "meaningfully" alters the ability of the "long lever" (the rod) to assist the cast one way or another, you are sadly mistaken.

The truth is the 9-foot fly rod contains no magic that makes it superior to its brethren of 8- to 8 1/2 feet. Given an environment with something less than "big water," a slightly shorter rod is apt to be a bit easier to handle, feel a bit better in the hand, and be a bit more accurate. I use the term, "bit," because nothing in this sport is very precise.

Some seem to believe the "niner" is the only way to achieve distance. Bull hockey! If you really believe the length of the rod is the "end-all" to distance casting, better go back to the basics. The added six to twelve inches a "niner" has over an 8 or an 8 1/2 foot rod has little to do with achieving maximum distance. To the contrary, the line; coupled with the rod�s taper, wall thickness, composition; and, of course, your casting skills are much more important. If rod length was the all-important factor, I suggest Lee Wulff could never have achieved casts of 80- to 85-feet while pursuing his Atlantic salmon with 6 1/2 to 7 foot rods. I will never cease to be amazed when a bass fly fishing "expert" shows up on tight waters with a 9-foot rod to wave through the breeze, trees, brush and foliage.

The bottom line? Do not arm yourself with a fly fishing system that is not suited for the species you have targeted or, for that matter, the environment you will fish. To do otherwise is akin to covering the engine, transmission, and frame of a 1977 Chevrolet Vega with the body of a Porsche. That might make it a bit prettier, but deep down it remains a pile of stuff ordinarily associated with cow pies -- one of the worst cars ever to fall apart on the American roads. I owned one.

The First Steps in Assembling the System.

By now, it may be redundant to say again that the fly line is the most important aspect of the fly fishing system; so I will simply say it again. It is! Never forget that the fly line�s weight is the only thing standardized in fly fishing; everything else is imprecise. If you apply a little logic, the place to begin is selecting the line weight you intend to fish for the fish you intend to catch. The heavier the line, the heavier it strikes the water and the greater the splash; the lighter the line, the lighter it strikes and the less the splash.

However, line weight alone isn�t all there is to it. The first steps include the type line - and I am not talking about sinkers vs. floaters - whether the line is suited for the climatology of your little area of the world. Simply stated, a tropic line that fishes well in the hot summer waters of the Gulf of Mexico is not apt to fish well in the cold arctic waters of Alaska. It becomes stiff and unwieldy. Turn the situation around and expect the same outcome -- cold weather lines become limp noodles in hot waters. And just in case you wondered, you can use a "saltwater" line in fresh water, and with great success. I suggest buying a line for the very worst conditions Mother Nature can throw at you.

What line for what fish? That�s typically a matter of one man�s opinion. However, since my opinion counts for something, try these ideas on for size.

Little Fish. Are you fishing small waters, such as creeks, beaver ponds? Are the fish small, shy, and skittish? Are the waters clear and placid? If they are, begin your thought process starting with a 2-weight and work up from there. When I think of small fish, I ordinarily think of fresh water and small trout or pan fish. Sometimes, depending on your point of view, a little fish can be big. I will never forget a fly fishing experience in the Shenandoah National Park in Virginia. A member of the Park staff led me to a small stream - not more than three feet across - and told me it was loaded with trout. Three casts with a short 3-weight rod and a #18 Black Gnat and I lucked into a brook trout that measured a little more than 8 inches. According to the Park Ranger, it was a "trophy."

Medium Fish. Are you fishing waters a little bigger? Are they more than a stone�s throw across? Are the ponds a bit bigger, perhaps small lakes with clear waters? When I think of these sorts of waters, I immediately think of the mid-weight -- the classic "5-weight" line. Please understand the classic 5 includes a range from 4 through 6-weight lines. Stretched a bit, you might even include the 7-weights. When I think of medium fish, I think of big trout, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass in streams and rivers -- in other words, I think of freshwater fish in something other than the "lunker" class of largemouth bass, northern pike or muskies.

Big Fish. Big fish are a bit larger than medium fish! Given this profound statement, let me hasten to add that the waters they inhabit also tend to be a bit bigger. Are you fishing large lakes? Have the streams grown into fast-flowing rivers? Does the water clarity vary from clear to a bit turbid? If so, we are talking about most of America�s waters - and hopefully - those yet to be polluted sufficiently to kill all the fish. It is these larger waters - imperfect though they may be - that typically contain our Pike, Muskies and lunker Largemouth. In my view, these species qualify as "big fish." What line to use? Suddenly we have entered - for sure - the 7 through 9-weight range. These heavier weights better fight the wind and the tantrums of a fish trying to foul the line on structure.

Bigger Fish. Obviously, bigger fish warrant something more -- let me suggest line weights ranging from 8 through 10-weight. Bigger fish carry us through the controlled catch "Trophy" lakes designed to protect the fishery, all the way into saltwater. There, some tough fighters are ready to test your fly fishing skills. No doubt about it, fly fishing the Salt is fun and an experience you are not apt to forget, especially in the drab days of winter when the North Wind�s train is rattling across the sky bringing cold, snow and ice.

Really Big Fish. Increasingly, fly fishing is seen in Blue Water, the final frontier as they used to say on Star Trek. Armed with a rod closely resembling a long broom handle and an action few classic trout fishers have experienced, most soon come to understand why almost anything can be used to make the fly cast. May I suggest suitable weights range from 12 to 15? Whichever your choice, you need not worry about overloading the rod. Happily, those who fly fish Blue Water enjoy an added benefit: in winter any of these fly lines can used as ski tows or for pulling vehicles from snow banks. I you are considering fishing the last frontier, I suggest reviewing the collective data on really big fish such as the black tip, hammerhead, and tiger sharks and, of course, the Great White. With luck, Jaws awaits your pleasure.

Where To Now? Having given some thought to the line of your choice, which fish to you choose for mortal combat? Is it the largemouth or smallmouth bass? Perhaps the awesome muskie, or its close relatives, the pike or pickerel? Better yet, how about one of the historic combatants from the greater trout family � brown, rainbow, cutthroat, or brook. There is, of course, the wide array of panfish available throughout North America � nothing wrong with this choice either � What�s left? The answer should be obvious � It�s the newly found pleasure of the saltwater flats.

Accordingly, my comments about assembling a system will focus on the rods and reels suited for these adversaries. The discussion continues with Part 2, "The Largemouth Bass." Until next time, God Bless you and yours�