To many anglers across the globe, fly fishing is the only way to fish. Yet to other folks, both conventional anglers and those who don't go fishing, fly fishing remains a mystery. So what exactly is this elusive style of fishing? Fly fishing at it's zenith is the zen of fishing. Fly fishing is more art than angling. It's not just the often funny looking fishing gear and tackle. It's in the subtle movements of a fly rod for the perfectly cast fly line. It's the thrill of seeing a trout strike a dry fishing fly at the surface and then reeling him in, using only your palm against a fly reel to create enough drag to wear him out and reel him in. For those who don't know, and even some that do, FlyFishingFAQ.com would like to take a moment to explain some of the intricacies of fly fishing that make it different from all other fishing methods.
Starting with the basics, fly fishing tackle is quite different than the tackle used with most conventional fishing and not just visually different. Fly fishing tackle is designed to function much differently than conventional fishing tackle. The techniques of fly fishing are also unique to the sport. To the casual observer they may seem elaborate and confusing. For help, we'll examine some fly fishing questions.
What's with that fishing pole? Why's it so long and where's the handle?
The fishing rod for fly fishing, known as fly rods are designed much differently than traditional fishing rods. In fly fishing it is the rod, not the reel, that casts the fishing line with special techniques. Fly rods are very long and light fishing rods because the need to be flexible. Bigger fly rods do have handles for two handed casting but in general fly fishing casts must be done with one hand. The butt end of the fishing rod would interfere with the fly cast.
What's with all the hairy fishing hooks that guy's carrying?
Those are the fishing lures of fly fishing. They are called artificial flies, but usually just flies. They are designed to look like anything from a baby insect to a bait fish. A fishing fly is made by tying thread, animal hair and other materials in specific fly tying knots developed for the kind of bait they're meant to resemble. Fly tying is actually a very rewarding hobby for advocates of fly fishing. There are many kinds of flies for the different fishing locations and target species.
Why is that guy waving around his fishing pole?
What he's doing is fly casting. He may be false casting first to dry out his fishing fly, but overall what he's doing is building up energy in his fly rod in order to transfer it to the fly line. A fishing fly is too light to pull itself from the rod, so fly fishing actually casts the fishing line instead. Anglers must charge their fly rods with their strokes and then cast by stopping the forward motion of the fly rod at the right time to create the loops needed to send the fly line forward. When the fly line is cast right, the fishing fly will follow it to the target.
Can you go fly fishing somewhere other than a river?
Yes. Fly fishing can be done anywhere there's water. There are flies designed for bass fishing, salmon fishing and trout fishing and others, that will that work while fishing in rivers, lakes, streams and ponds. Techniques change depending on where you're fishing, but if there's water that has fish in it you can go fly fishing there and that includes the ocean.
Once you get to know fly fishing, you'll find it's a very peaceful and rewarding fishing method. Fly fishing has been around basically forever and isn't going anywhere soon so it's never too late to get in on the fun. FlyFishingFAQ.com can get you on the right path with fly rods and fly reels from major fishing tackle suppliers like Daiwa®, Shakespeare®, and Okuma®.