Fly fishing

Fly-fishing is a method of fishing in which an individual uses artificial lures and a fly rod and reel. The fisher, known as an angler, uses a line that may be oiled or otherwise treated, and a rod that may be very flexible, stiff, or somewhere in between, depending on the conditions and the angler's preferences. The artificial lures mimic insects that fish prey upon, and the angler develops skill to make the lure enticing to fish such as trout. The lightweight artificial lures can more accurately mimic tiny flies.

While fly-fishing is an attempt to catch fish, its many fans explain their affection for the activity in many ways. Some enjoy the challenge of properly reading the conditions and the prey, using the proper tools and methods, and hooking fish. Many speak of their enjoyment of being out in nature. Fly-fishing is often a solitary pursuit, and many anglers say they relish the peace and quiet and the opportunity to get away from daily concerns. Many regions welcome anglers, and many states promote fly-fishing to draw visitors to state parks. While many anglers purchase their equipment, some also learn to tie their own flies using feathers and other materials.

Brief History

Although experts believe people of various ancient civilizations may have used artificial lures when fishing, the British and American people are known for developing the sport and enthusiastically promoting it. The first essay about fly-fishing, "The Treatyse of Fysshynge wyth an Angle," was published in Britain in 1496. The work, which is credited to prioress Juliana Berners of a nunnery near London, includes information about twelve flies for grayling and trout and instructions on how to make the tackle.

The most poetic descriptions of the pleasures nature offers to anglers was provided by Izaak Walton, whose first edition of The Compleat Angler, or The Contemplative Man's Recreation was published in 1653. Later editions included significantly more about the skill and art of fly-fishing. Early anglers used horsehair, and later silk and silkworm gut.

Some British anglers journeyed to the American colonies, where they found a great deal of sport. Fly-fishing grew in popularity in North America. One of the most influential books about American fly-fishing, The American Angler's Book by Thaddeus Norris, was published in 1864. Norris included information about fishing, making rods and flies, and breeding fish. He also detailed some prime fishing locations.

The keen interest in fly-fishing prompted a number of innovations as Americans developed better rods and lines. It also affected the fish population. By 1879, brook trout were succumbing to environmental hazards and overfishing. As a result, New York fish culturists introduced the European brown trout to waterways in Michigan. Although American anglers at first spurned the newcomer, the brown trout quickly adapted to its new environment and grew faster and larger. Anglers eventually came to appreciate the introduced species.

Overview

Fly-fishing involves a variety of equipment and techniques. The basic tools are a rod, reel, and fly line. A monofilament strand called a fly leader connects the fly to the line. Some anglers make their own gear, including fly rods. Since anglers spend a great deal of time standing in the water, many also wear fly-fishing pants.

Fly rods are usually made of bamboo, fiberglass, or graphite. The fly rod casts the line, so its performance is important in getting the fly to appear to land naturally on the water. Fishing location may influence an angler's rod choice. An open river or wide stream is more suitable for a nine-foot rod than a narrow stream hemmed in by shrubs or low-hanging trees. A larger rod is also required to cast a large fly and heavier line.

The line is wrapped around a fly reel. Most fly reels have a drag, or brake, to slow the line and keep fish from swimming away with a fly. The fly reels are silent, unlike the types used in other forms of fishing that make a whirring sound when the hook is cast. The line is categorized by the weight of the first thirty feet of line, from one-weight through fifteen-weight, and should be matched to the rod. A nine-weight line should be used for a nine-weight rod, for example. Larger flies require larger fly lines and rods because the greater mass and weight of the fly requires a greater force to cast the line. The type of fish an angler is trying to catch will also determine the weight needed.

The flies are generally made using natural materials, often feathers, and many have names, such as the woolly bugger and the Adams dry fly. They are extremely light, and anglers do not use weights, so they land gently on the water, as silent as if they were living flies. Under some conditions, the angler wants the fly to rest on the surface—dry fishing—while at other times, the angler wants it to sink below the water to the level at which fish are feeding—such lures are called wet flies. Anglers devote time to learning to read the fish and trying to understand how to catch them. They learn where fish will hide and feed on sunny days, cloudy days, and at various times of day.

Anglers learn to cast, or let out line to drop flies where they want them, through practice. While casting with a spinning rod involves casting the lure, in fly-fishing the angler uses the fly rod to cast the line. The lightweight fly follows the line.

Many fly-fishing experts have produced books and videos to help novice anglers learn to cast properly. First, they pull the amount of line they will use off the reel—if they are casting the fly thirty feet, they pull thirty feet. Anglers use the whole arm in casting, carrying the rod behind themselves, then overhead and forward. They stop the forward motion suddenly to propel the line as the supple rod bends forward. Between casts, the angler uses one hand to pull the line back, and often lets it pool on the ground or may use a box to keep it from tangling, rather than reeling it in. The reel is used only to land a fish. Coping with yards of unspooled line also requires practice.

The fly hides a hook. When a fish bites the lure, the angler must pull back on the line to get the hook into the fish's mouth. If an angler pulls too quickly, or pulls it the wrong way, the fish may get away.

Bibliography

"Fly Fishing Lines." Take Me Fishing, www.takemefishing.org/fly-fishing/fly-fishing-gear/fly-fishing-fly-line/. Accessed 4 May 2017.

Herd, Andrew. "A Brief History of Fly Fishing." Fishing Museum Online, www.fishingmuseum.org.uk/fly‗fishing‗overview.html. Accessed 4 May 2017.

"How to Fly Cast." Fly Fisherman, 8 Jan. 2016, www.flyfisherman.com/how-to/beginners/how-to-fly-cast-2/. Accessed 4 May 2017.

"How to Fly Fish." Take Me Fishing, www.takemefishing.org/fly-fishing/. Accessed 4 May 2017.

Romano, Tim. "10 Common Flyfishing Mistakes (and How to Fix Them)." Field & Stream, 15 Feb. 2017, www.fieldandstream.com/10-common-flyfishing-mistakes-and-how-to-avoid-them. Accessed 4 May 2017.

"Tying Flies." Take Me Fishing, www.takemefishing.org/fly-fishing/fly-fishing-basics/tying-flies/. Accessed 4 May 2017.

"Why Fly Fish?" Orlando Outfitters, www.orlandooutfitters.com/why-fly-fish/. Accessed 4 May 2017.

Wickstrom, Gordon M. "Fly-Fishing History, Parts I & II." Orvis, 2011, www.orvis.com/news/fly-fishing/repost-fly-fishing-history-part-i/. Accessed 4 May 2017.

Wickstrom, Gordon M. "Fly-Fishing History, Parts III & IV." Orvis, 2011, www.orvis.com/news/fly-fishing/repost-fly-fishing-history-parts-iii-iv/. Accessed 4 May 2017.