What Is Fly Fishing? Here’s Your Answer!

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Cover Image of What is Fly Fishing

Fishing is a sport or hobby that keeps on giving and improving with mind-boggling techniques to lure fish into nets. This article is all about one of these amazing techniques, namely the Fly-Fishing method, to have a good time by the sea.

What is Fly Fishing? Let’s find out.

Fly fishing includes everything your typical sport includes – bait or fly and line. Only here, the lure is quite lightweight with the same equipment. Since its inception, the technique has only been made easier with better, efficient, and durable fishing equipment.

That was one quick introduction. Let’s explore more about fly fishing next:

What Is Fly Fishing?

As an adorer of this amazing activity, you have to understand how fly fishing differs from traditional methods. Let’s take a look at both for clarity. Remember, there’s no lousy method to fish, it’s all about the catch after all.

Traditional fishing methods suggest attaching a lure at the end of the line and throwing it in; fingers crossed. Here, the line is quite lightweight, whereas the bait is the winner. It’s supposed to drift the line in the water and hopefully lure some fishes in.

Image of a fishing pole showing how to cast a fishing pole

Unluckily, casting a heavy lure doesn’t make it go far. It hurts your distance and limits it. Here’s where your newfound technique comes in and saves the situation.

Fly fishing allows fishers to use a lightweight lure, which is also called artificial bait. These lures don’t drag the line down and help the cast cover more distance. You may be wondering: how does it go far?

Image Showing how to cast in Fly Fishing Method

Well, it’s in the casting. The fly line carries the weight in this casting technique as it holds the energy in and throws the cast further away. It’s like you’d whip a rope in your hand and see it go far away.

It also depends on the nature of the fish. The lightweight flies are made such that they imitate insects, fish would be interested in. These can include anything from surface-water to deep-sea insects fish would love to come to have a closer look at.

Actually, learning how to cast is the actual secret of the amazing fly method. Fly cast is a tad bit hard to master, but anyone can learn it in due time. So, did this entice you? Let’s learn more about the history of this technique next.

Where Does Fly Fishing Come From? (Origin)

Little is known about the origin of fly fishing. As per some sources, the book The Treatyse on Fysshynge with an Angle (1496) has some fragments of text which resemble a technique such as the one we discussed. The book also has discussions online, rod, and hook making, with braided lines as well (ones that resemble current days’ fly fishing).

Person In Lake Doing Fly Fishing

The technique wasn’t discussed much in history books until the English Civil War. Several discussions on the subject are available along with the usage of an artificial fly to catch fish though modifications have continued ever since to design a better hook.

In 1655, Charles Kirby designed a new bent-hook whose design continues to date. The inventor has more inventions in the field of fishing, which are still commonly used. The point being, the technique might be old, but the new modifications have kept it alive to date.

Artificial Flies

We’ve covered this before – the method uses artificial flies, which are quite lightweight. The material usually includes feathers, furs, synthetic materials, beads, or ribbing materials. These materials help create lightweight lures which also entice fish in the sea.

Image of Artificial Flies

Why are they called artificial flies? Simple; they are used to mimic food fish usually are interested in. This includes nymphs, larvae, worms, and more such harmless options for the lure.

Usually, flies used to be made from edible foods or harmful elements that hurt sea creatures. Most fish conservatories recommend against using traditional fishing techniques and opt for fly fishing. The reason for this is apparent; artificial flies are way less costly and are quite effective at luring fish in.

Some Fly Fishing Rules

Have we hyped you up? As excited as you may be, there are a few rules related to fly fishing that we need to fill you in on. These rules include:

  • Respect others. Since this technique requires you to throw the line back and into the pond, make sure you’re standing in an empty zone. This will ensure you’re not hurt or hurt others in the process of enjoying.
  • Keep Calm. It’s a slow process and requires extreme patience. If you’re able to keep this up, you’re going to make a great fisher in general.
  • Respect the sea. As much as you love to fish, respect the resource there as well. You should be well aware of how you can release the fish as it takes time for these fish to grow.
  • Keep your distance. Fish can see your shadow and detect there’s something wrong if you’re not leaving your space. Instead, you should stand in the shade and cast your line to make sure the fish takes the bait.

What Kind of Gear Do You Need?

What sport doesn’t need appropriate gear to get you started? Fishing is quite similar in this and will help you in the long haul if you’re well-prepped. With that said, if you don’t know what gear you’ll be needing, you might be in for a bit of trouble.

Related article: What Is Magnet Fishing?

Unless you have a guide, the fishing shop will be quite intimidating for you to get equipment for fly fishing. Types of lines, weights, flies, coats, tools, cutters… the list keeps ongoing. Not to mention, the clothing essentials you’ll be needing to make your fishing trip a success; or do you need all this?

Image of a Fishing Shop

In all honesty, you don’t. A guide would get you going with a pole, line, flies, and place you close to the water; that’s it. It’s all about the tactic you use to fish in the start more than equipment, and you can start on the equipment once you embrace fly fishing.

Fly Fishing Basics – How To Learn To Fly Fish

We’re almost over the “what is fly fishing” question and finally on to the exciting part. Here, let’s try to get you acquainted with the basics of fishing rods, poles, and the infamous “fly” technique. Let’s get to it:

  1. Learn the cast: The cast is an essential part of this technique. Since now, you’re not using the bait to propel the line forward. Instead, you’re using the line to move the bait towards the target.
    You’d also have to learn how to cast the proper distance, so you’re not doing things wrong. This can be determined with experience, webcasts, or local shops and guides. If you want to practice your cast, you can even use a frisbee to test your throw in the park or somewhere.
    How to Cast in Fly Fishing
  2. The Gear: Though we’ve gone over this, you still need essential gear to fish. This includes fishing rods, poles, reels, and flies to get you started. The cost will be around $150-$250 and will help you bag some of the best equipment.
    Image of Fishing Gear Set
  3. How to Catch Fish: Once you’ve mastered the cast, it’s time to test things out in the pond. Throw your fly out and wait for the fish to lure in. Once it’s done, you’ve got your target locked. It’s time to reel it in, really slow and gentle. If there’s no activity for a while, you might want to move to another bank. It will help you refresh and maybe bag a better fish if there’s activity there.
    Person Pulling out a Fish From Sea
  4. Where to Fish: What you need is a fish pond or river where you can easily fish without disturbance. You’ll also be needing an appropriate place to keep your items safe and sound so you can replenish after a break. If the place you chose doesn’t work, try different banks. If it still doesn’t work, it’s time to move to a different location, river, or pond.
    Guy fishing in a river

10 Reasons Why Fly Fishing Could Become Your First Love

Finding reasons to get your first experience fly fishing? We know what you want, and this section covers just that. Let’s give you reasons why this technique is everything you could ever fish (or wish) for:

1- It’s easily accessible. You can fish wherever you’d like to – by the pond or that lake you cross by and who knows what’s your catch. With fly fishing, you don’t need to keep new pieces of bait now and then.
2- It’s easy on the pockets. Since fly fishing doesn’t require excessive equipment or baits, it’s quite easy to save lots of bucks. Simple flies will help you catch more fish from the pond than an expensive lure.
3- It’s your getaway. You can finally be free from the corporate world or all your worries by visiting a pond. Get your poles out and start fly fishing right away without the hassles of bringing extreme equipment with you.
4- Meet more and more people. The fishing community is tight and supportive. If you’d post your catch online, people will welcome you with open arms considering how friendly people are.
5- Keep your wits learning. Fishing is an art that keeps on giving, so you’re always going to find something new and exciting to learn. If you’re an avid learner, fly fishing will provide you with the thrills.
6- It’s addictive (in the right way). Fishing is a healthy hobby. You can go with your office buds, your family, or friends for a relaxing night out by the pond.
7- It has a challenging learning curve. Fly fishing isn’t easy; let’s get this clear. It’s going to give you a hard time to master, but you can get the hang of the technique in a few tries.
8- You’re going to travel all over the world. Fishing will take you all over the world. There are hundreds of species of fish, and all ponds or lakes have a different species in there; travel to find out what you’re missing.
9- It’s meditating. If you love to meditate or be alone for a while, fishing will be your go-to hobby. It will keep you excited, wanting more, and reeled in (intended!) for more fun and action.
10- It’s your accidental workout. Managing boats, running around the lakes, all the while fresh air enters your lungs, it doesn’t get more relaxing. Also, you’re saving up the cost to go to gyms and other activities by keeping your body alive and well.

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Final Verdict:

Hopefully, the article was informative for you on fly fishing. Fly fishing is an exciting way to fish nowadays. Although the technique requires a bit of practice to master, we’ve covered tips you can use to be a pro right away.

Just remember, the skill takes time, and it’ll work out with the right equipment in your hand. Fishing is similar to every other hobby you’d adopt. You’ve got to put in the time and some fun experiences to master your way through.

What are you waiting for? Call on your friends for a fun evening away fishing. You can flaunt your newly learned skill and catch some fish to make the evening more fun!

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  • Since 2009 I've been writing on different media portals about fishing. Here on this website, it's time to share those experiences I've witnessed in my entire life so far. Let me help you get the best stuff you need while fishing.

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