Fly fishing is a method of fishing that utilizes fly rods to catch trout, grayling and salmon as well as warm-water species like bass and carp; saltwater species include permit, tarpon, bonefish and snapper; this activity has evolved into an extensive body of literature.
Claudius Aelius first documented this style of fishing in 200 AD in his book On the Nature of Animals.
Origins
Roman author Aelius first references fly fishing in 200 AD when he describes an approach using a fly, considered the precursor to today’s modern sport of fly fishing.
Macedonian fishermen pioneered an original version of fly fishing. Finding it unhygienic to touch Hippurus flies directly, they developed their own version using red wool tied around a hook with two feathers from underneath a cock’s wattle as bait – fooling fish away with this simple bait and creating modern fly fishing techniques.
By the 19th century, books like Izaak Walton’s The Compleat Angler and Alfred Ronalds’s The Fly-Fisher’s Entomology helped spread popularity for this new sport. Participation peaked during 1920s mainly among Eastern states before fiberglass rods and synthetic fly lines saw another great surge forward in its popularity.
Techniques
People have been fishing using artificial flies since Roman times, but fly fishing truly took off when long cane rods first appeared in use during the 1800s. At that time, running rings along fly rods made for greater line control while new woods such as greenheart and bamboo began being integrated into construction techniques.
Catskill Mountains of New York were an ideal test-bed for new techniques. American anglers created new flies and published extensively about fly fishing – increasing its popularity throughout North America.
In the UK, wet fly fishing became increasingly popular. This technique became necessary due to weedy streams where dry flies often choked before reaching their intended destination: trout.
Flies
Fly fishing lures are designed to mimic the size, shape and movement of insects that fish target, enabling anglers to choose the appropriate fly depending on hatch activity, time of day or even weather conditions.
The 19th century saw fly fishing take a giant leap forward, thanks to advanced wet fly techniques and advances in tackle. Silk lines replaced horse hair ones, and different wood species – greenheart then bamboo – were used for making rods which all contributed to its advancement.
Norman Maclean’s novel A River Runs Through It created increased enthusiasm for fly fishing, while advancements in rod design and line technology made fly fishing even more accessible in today’s society.
Equipment
Fly fishing requires the proper gear. This includes a rod, reel and an assortment of flies; additionally, accessories may include fly boxes, nippers, hemostats, split shots and nail knot tools for additional accessories.
Fly tiers use thin thread to fasten hair, feathers and other materials securely onto hooks in order to produce patterns resembling insects, baitfish, crustaceans or even worms. Once finished they are placed onto a tapered leader that extends from their fly.
After WWll, changes began with the advent of fiberglass and plastic fly lines that provided greater power and accuracy, leading to more efficient rods offering both power and accuracy; today’s anglers still rely heavily on them. With graphite rods emerging onto the scene came even greater possibilities and opened up even greater fishing options for anglers.
Conservation
Fly fishing has a rich tradition, yet can have adverse impacts on fish populations and the environment if done improperly. Therefore, fish conservation should be a top priority among fly fishermen, non-profits, and businesses alike.
In the United States, Yankee ingenuity gave rise to innovations like plastic-coated line and graphite fly rods which enabled more people to enjoy fly fishing.
Fly fishing slowly became less of a status symbol during the 1800s and more of an enjoyable pastime for those who enjoyed it. Today, though still considered taboo by some people, more people than ever are being exposed to fly fishing as a sport and trying their hand at it.https://www.youtube.com/embed/5GeREPPp2zk