The best that historians can tell, the first record was in the second century AD in Mesopotamia. Flies were tied using rooster feathers and were cast using a six foot pole with line that was about as long. Modern day fly fishing setups are actually somewhat similar, although they have definitely progressed.
Fly fishing rods are typically longer than a normal fishing rod and very light. The line is heavier than you might expect, and the weight aids in casting. For the most part, the reel is a line holder and does not spool line out when you cast, as with many other rod and reel combinations.
When fly fishing, the angler releases a portion of line and essentially whips it back and forth, trying to place the fly in front of a fish to entice it to strike.
There are a large variety of different flies, but most of them are very small and lightweight. They can float, sink, or be designed to suspend a few inches beneath the surface. More so than most types of fishing lures, flies are made to resemble the food the fish actually feed on.
The main types of flies, although there are many subgroups, are dry flies and emergers, nymphs, streamers, wet flies, saltwater flies, bass and panfish flies, and salmon and steelhead flies. These basic types of flies can be modified for different fishing situations and color patterns and combinations are nearly endless.
One of the most popular uses of their gear is trout fishing. Although you do not need a fly fishing setup to go trout fishing, many accomplished anglers eventually go down this road. Fly fishing for trout works well because the tiny flies resemble the trout's actual food source.
Trout fishing guides recommend that you look at what kinds of insects are active where you are fishing and use flies that resemble them. The local insect population will help you determine not only the type and color of fly to use, but also whether to use a fly that will float or sink.
The sport of trout fishing and fly fishing in general has a reputation of being hard on the wallet, but many sports stores offer fishing gear for beginners at a reasonable price. While beginner gear will eventually need to be exchanged as the level of skill of the angler increases, choosing low cost equipment to start means the fisherman can save for upgrades.
There is something about fly fishing that captures the hearts of many fishermen. To many people, the point of fishing is simply to catch a fish. However, this is not the case when it comes to fishing. Of course the fly fisherman wants to catch a fish. He actually devotes an extraordinary amount of energy, time and ingenuity to doing just that. But there is more to fly fishing than just catching a fish. He is interested in the activity itself. It is the act of fishing from which the fly fisherman derives so much pleasure, not just from the end result.
What is it about fly fishing that makes it so enticing? There is one main physical difference between other types of fishing and fly fishing. That difference may be the key to the enjoyment so many find in the sport of fishing. In all other forms of casting, the fisherman is throwing a weight on the end of his line, whether it is a lure or a sinker. Certainly, this does require a great amount of precision, but it is essentially like throwing a rock in the water. The fly fisherman, on the other hand, is casting only the weight of the line itself, which is spread out over 30 or 40 feet of line. The tiny fly at the end of the line is virtually weightless, and it provides no momentum at all. Fly fishing requires precision, delicacy, a gentle fine touch.
Many fly fishermen want to learn as much as they can about their sport, not just about fishing techniques. That includes the study of the insects that the fish feed on, studying the freshwater habitats, leaning about the history and lore of their sport, as well as the techniques of fly casting and fly tying. The fly fisherman has to be aware of everything from the cycles of the seasons to the life cycles of the insects. Fly fishing is not just another method of catching fish.
Fly fishing embraces the rhythm of nature as well as the rhythm of the rod. The rhythm of the rod carries your mind, body and spirit to the water. Whether you catch a fish are not, the water will always give you a little bit of its own, strength, some of its energy, and the wonderful feeling of peace.
The sport of fishing takes place in some of the most beautiful settings of the world including mountain streams, scenic lakes, the ocean's shorelines, and out on the high seas. Fly fishermen see and appreciate the wonders of nature. They care about the fish as well as the environment. Many of them take a proactive stance on environmental issues.
An anonymous fisherman once said fishing has a special hold on the spirit of man. This is because of all forms of fishing, it requires a perfect balance between discipline and freedom. Perhaps part if the mysterious allure of fly fishing is the feeling of harmony with nature and the gentle balance between man and fish.
Both Mike Selvon & Bob Bastian are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
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