Why the fish of a lifetime broke your fly rod and got away

Stories of the “one that got away” seem especially common in fly-fishing circles, perhaps because our long, whippy rods and single-action reels, though simple in design, are less forgiving of mistakes than spinning gear. As a result, playing and landing a fish on the fly requires some crucial skills not found in the world of conventional tackle. Here are some of the common fish-losing mistakes I’ve witnessed over the years, and the techniques you need to avoid them.