How to Catch Fish in a Lake - Tips, Techniques and Equipment for Beginners

If you were to ask a random person what’s the difference between fly fishing and regular fishing chances are, the person would say, “There’s really no difference, your catching fish in a lake with a rod and reel with the help of luck.” However, if you were to ask that same question to an experienced angler, they would tell you, “Lake fishing is considered an art form.” Fishing can be considered an art form by many anglers, because there is so much finesse and technique involved in learning how to catch fish in a lake and to make your fishing trip successful. 

One of the obvious differences, is the lake fishing equipment that is used. Fly fishermen will use specialized light weight rods that have the reel towards the base of the rod. The line they use known as “leader” or “tippet” is a weighted line designed to catch different species of fish. The reels anglers use for fishing in a lake have a drag system, but sometimes the angler cannot use the drag system and must rely solely on his/her sense of feel put the right amount of pressure on the fish. Lastly, the angler must match up their flies, nymphs, emergers etc. to the prey the fish are feeding on.  
On the other hand, a regular fisherman has a regular pole with a reel supplied with monofilament, the angler will rely 100% on the drag system to catch fish in a lake. The angler can either choose bait or artificial lures to catch their fish. 

The location the angler chooses is another difference. Most fly fishermen can be seen fishing in rivers, lakes, creeks, streams, and occasionally lakes. Because of the diverse terrain, most fly fishermen will use “waders” which are high waterproof boots that can extend upwards to the fisherman’s chest. 
Another option is to use a float tube in a lake. Regular fishing can be done in same areas as a fly fisherman but most of the regular anglers prefer to fish on a lake or a pond where they can relax from the comfort of the shore or a boat. 
Another key difference is the tips and techniques the fishermen uses. In fly fishing the angler must use a variety of senses to make the catch. The angler is constantly on the move visually looking for clues that might suggests a fish is lurking around. The angler must also be able to accurately place the fly in right place at the right time and must have knowledge of the current so that the fly can float right up to the fish’s line of sight. 

The angler must also be able to adapt to the surroundings. If the lake is overgrown with bushes and such, the angler must use a different casting technique in order to avoid entanglement with the surrounding vegetation. A regular fisherman on the other hand, will find a spot, cast out, and wait for the fish to swim by the bait.
Fly fishing and regular fishing in a lake are very different but have the similar interest of catching fish. Fly fishing will involve more finesse and technique, in which the angler must know how to use the equipment, where to find the fish, and knowledge of the species habitat. Whereas regular fishing, the angler does not have to be so knowledgeable. In the end both types of fishing are easily learnable and provides hours of fun and excitement.