Introduction to Fly Fishing

Fly Fishing is an angling method that aims to catch fish
using artificial flies. Traditionally, salmon and trout are
the types of fish caught using this method. But in recent
times, a wide variety of fish have been added to the list
like pike, carp and striped bass.

As an angling method, fly fishing differs from other
methods in its technique for casting. Other methods rely on
the weight of the lure to pull the line.

But in fly fishing, the line is cast rather than the lure
since the lures used in this method are too light to be
cast.

Casting in fly fishing can be compared to the way a whip
unfurls when it is being cracked. It is said that a good
angler can unfurl his/her line even before he/she does the
return motion when casting.

This angling method has been around as early as 200 AD. It
was first mentioned in a book entitled ‘Natural History’,
written by a Roman author named Aelian.

One chapter of his book mentioned in passing the
Macedonians’ way of catching their fish. It talked about
how they tried to lure fish using imitation flies that they
made themselves.

Based on Aelian’s description, the methods that they used
are closely similar to the methods and purpose of the
modern-day fly fisher in catching fish.

While it has been around for two millennia, fly fishing
remains a relevant and exciting method of angling until
this day and will remain so in generations to come.