Fighting Even the Small Fries With Ease!

One of my biggest pet peeves when fly fishing is holding the rod correctly when fighting a fish. ANY fish! Some may argue "Oh it doesn't matter if it is a smaller fish, you can still hold the rod this way or that." I say, "NO! You cannot!" Here's why: the handle of the rod was designed to take the brunt of the force when fighting a fish. I have seen guys fighting fish, large fish like salmon and steelhead and holding the handle and the blank, which is a no no especially when fighting a larger fish. It's okay for extra support but some guys were depending on holding the blank above the rod handle.

Edit: PLEASE, if you don't read ANYTHING ELSE read this: <link>  This link is from the official Sage site about rods breaking and why they do! Very informative!

On a heavier rod, as most if not all of you know, there's a thing we all love and it's called the fighting butt. It's called that for a REASON! You put it on your hip and acts as leverage when fighting a fish. However, as I mentioned, most people want to hold the blank as well as the handle of the rod itself. It feels more comfortable to them but it's a no no. Have I stressed that enough? : ) 

Here is a post about why leverage is so important in fly fishing much less fishing period! It goes in depth but it really is excellent when you read the entire thing. Seriously, I learned from it even though I do fight with the rod from side to side and not straight up in the air.

Above is a video on a guy fighting in saltwater conditions. At 0:40 you see him doing the naughty: holding the rod not for support but for leverage. Granted, it appears that the ferrule popped out but nevertheless, my pet peeve!

There was another GREAT video of a guy fighting a giant salmon on a fly rod and was holding it by the blank. Literally broke in half. Then again, he was fighting it with the tip and not the butt section.

Above is yet another classic example of someone fighting the fish with the blank. Although, I do applaud him because he IS fighting a larger fish and he was holding the rod to the side while fighting. Again it is not so much as it broke as it came apart perhaps.

Bottom line: don't be stupid. Play the fish out. Mind your P's and Q's because the fish is FIGHTING FOR ITS LIFE! Use the butt section of the rod for leverage instead of the tip. Comment if you wish on how you play a fish out whether big or small!