Fly Fishing

In fly fishing, fish are caught using artificial flies that are cast out with a fly fishing rod and fly line. The fly rod flexed, loads the weighted fly line and this delivers the fly.

Fly fishing is another avenue of fishing, although distinct. It is well known, as a method to catch trout and salmon, but a lot of anglers are now trying to catch different species other than trout or salmon. Saltwater fly fishing is the new frontier and some anglers are even catching tuna, shark and marlin. Most species of fish, as long as it is not too deep for the fly line, can be caught with a fly.

Fly fishing is a challenging method of catching fish. You are more active hunting the fish, rather than just casting out bait and waiting for a fish to bite.

Fly fishing is diverse and the techniques you can use are endless. You can use a dry fly to float it on the surface or go deep using streamers, nymphs or wet flies. You can fly fish from boats, canoe's, float tubes, or wade the rivers, lakes and streams.

Fly fishing is considered a sport or a hobby by some, others, an art and a passion.

The areas chosen for fly fishing can be some of the most scenic places. Fly fishing can be done all over the world, places like North America, Australia, England, Argentina, South Africa, Canada, Russia, New Zealand and more. Even if you do not catch a fish, you will be in awe of the breathtaking scenery.

Fly fishing has been around for years. It is noted as having been used by the Macedonians and the Egyptians. Japan also has it's own type of fly fishing called Tenkara fishing. Only a rod, fly and tenkara line are used. The Samurai of ancient Japan were said to practice it.

Some of the techniques used today in fly fishing have originated from the rivers of Scotland and northern England. Fly fishing has developed from the horse hairs and silk lines, bamboo rods, to the modern fly fishing equipment used today.

Today some rods are still being made from bamboo, but carbon fibre and space age materials are common place. The first fly reels were rather uncomplicated mechanical pieces of equipment serving as a place to hold the fly line and backing.

Some of the reels made today still use a simple method to make their reels, others are a high tech design.

Interest in fly fishing reached a high point in the 1920s and was revived again in the 1950s, because of the rise in developing of inexpensive fiberglass rods and the synthetic fly lines.

Baby boomer's discovered the sport spiking interest in fly fishing again. With movies like, A River Runs Through It, and cable fishing shows, this has kept the image of fly fishing in the forefront of avid anglers. Exotic locations, friendships, stories of the big one that got away have kept anglers fly fishing all over the world.

Some people ask if fly fishing will outperform bait or spinner fishing. I would say it depends on the conditions. Sometimes the fly will out fish bait, other times, bait or spinning will out fish the fly. I don’t think one is better than the other, but rather an extra tool in your fishing arsenal.

One thing I will say though, fly fishing is very challenging and once you get hooked, it is hard not to pull the fly rod out!