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Fly-fishing (or “fly-casting), is a method of fishing (also called angling) that involves the presentation of artificially made “flies” to a variety of game fish via a fly rod and fly line (housed in a fly reel). Fishing is one of the oldest professions in the world; this practice is known to exist since time immemorial. Fly fishing is common in both fresh and sea water bodies. The rods, reels and terminal tackle and other associated equipments differ very significantly from those used for conventional, bait-casting, spinning and spin-casting methods. Flies are relatively very small and much lighter than other artificial lures, and are delivered by a unique casting method and are usually retrieved by hand. Majority of freshwater flies are known to imitate insects while saltwater flies are mostly nearly designed to resemble minute baitfish, crustaceans, shrimp and other invertebrates.
The most visible difference between fly-fishing and other styles of traditional fishing is that a heavy line is used to cast a near weightless fly, rather than a heavy lure or bait that carries a near weightless line. Means fly fishing relies on a heavy line cast with a very light fly. The line is mostly made of a flexible plastic that is much larger in diameter and shape than conventional fishing line, providing the weight and mass necessary to quickly propel the fly toward the target. Fly fishing gear has taken many improvisations in the last few decades and angling for fishes with these gear and accessories is often a pleasure.
Fly-fishing is known to be one of the oldest methods in the history of freshwater fishing, but its saltwater history is relatively short and of very recent origin. Although fly-fishing in general is considered over 1,800 years old, the first recorded history of saltwater fly-fishing was in a book published in 1880’s. It was compiled by a doctor who fished and hunted of the coasts of Florida and talks about fly-fishing for large snook, redfish, bluefish and tarpon.
Fly fishing methods have seen tremendous changes on the last few decades. Advances in boat design can better accommodate fly-fishing and provide access to once unreachable, interior waters. Innovations of new materials and product designs have produced stronger rods that allow anglers to catch larger fish more effectively than they ever could before. More anglers are lured to the challenges of fly fishing these days; the joy and pleasure accrued upon catching a prized fish is immense.
Fly-fishing works just about anywhere in all waters; there are shallow-dwelling, fast swimming fish or deepwater fish that will feed near the surface. These include inshore areas such as the surf, jetties, piers, mangrove banks, tidal rivers and estuaries, tropical flats, canals and bays. Offshore saltwater fly-fishing usually happens 20 to 40 miles offshore, but can occasionally be even farther out to deep sea, typically near the edges of continental shelves and around oil rigs, wrecks and reefs. Salt water fishing is often considered to be more challenging than fresh water angling as the risk involved in seas are more compared to shallow fresh waters.
Popular inshore species include bonefish, tarpon, snook, red drum, striped bass, bluefish and spotted sea trout. Offshore species commonly caught on fly-fishing tackle include Wahoo, yellow fin and blue fin tuna, king mackerel (kingfish), dorado (dolphin fish), and marlin and other billfish. Fresh water fishes are Trout, Carps, Salmon and some benthic fishes.
Fly fishing offers rare opportunities of adventure and game to an angler and also provides solitude with the magic of water as a dear partner.
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