Why do you fly fish?

You don't really want to overthink all this. We are really just waving around a manufactured rod strung with some manner of cord and trying to convince a fish that what we're tossing in the water is something they can eat... It's about as simple as you can get.... unless you overthink it and then you end up with what we call flyfishing.
 
Jake Watrous said:
It’s more active and varied than other forms of fishing, it’s harder, catch and release is a bigger part of the sport, it feels more fish-vs-angler, fighting is more “alive” than with a multiplying reel, and it is damn fun.

I've also found the fly fishing community (here, clubs, in shops, random people encountered, etc) to be full of awesome people. I’ve never found someone who fly-fished that I wouldn’t happily go fishing with, share beverages with, etc. Not that there aren't assholes in the sport, but in my experience they're the kind of asshole I can handle being around.
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I have to concur that the fly fishing community seems much nicer than the gear fishing community. I meet lots of nice folks gear fishing, but I've generally felt pretty uncomfortable/unwelcome in most gear shops, never feel that way in a fly shop
 
I forgot something I really love about fly fishing: The people I meet doing it! I mean, fishing is one of three ways I can meet people who think like me; the other two being kitchens and jam sessions....
 
Bambooflyguy said:
Because I can’t cast a level wind bait caster??
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This is funny as it rings true with my experience. On my one and only try at bait casting, my gear either went straight up or straight down no matter how hard I focused (may havebeen a beer or two in though, ha). I am glad I did not give up as readily with the fly rod!

I have to add - growing up, we fished a lot. Spinning gear was the go to; salt water, lakes, or rivers. I really only saw fly fishing on rivers in the NW. I was always intrigued with the mechanics of casting (vs. flinging lures or bait), and learned mostly by trial and error when I finally got my hands on a vintage fiberglass rod and some really old sort-of floating line. It was cool to be able to make loops and set the fly almost as accurately as casting with a spinning rod, and actually even catch stuff...
 
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I fly fish for the serotonin rush of seeking and ultimately finding the fish of my dreams in spectacular natural settings. Fly fishing is so diverse that this process continually repeats itself. Learning about new fish species and their ecosystems, then venturing out to find them never gets old.
 
It's the most fun you can have with your clothes on! I've used this line while working at Orvis, many times! Always gets a chuckle or belly laught!

It's active and a blast is the shorter answer I guess.. you'll never stop learning and you get to fish in some of the beautiful and amazing places!

Cheers!
 
flybill said:
It's the most fun you can have with your clothes on! I've used this line while working at Orvis, many times! Always gets a chuckle or belly laught!

It's active and a blast is the shorter answer I guess.. you'll never stop learning and you get to fish in some of the beautiful and amazing places!

Cheers!
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I've often said that hooking a steelhead on a fly rod is the most fun a man can have with his pants on. But one time I ran across a youngster fishing bait on the D. After going thru the regs booklet with him I told him that if he wants to get the best fun and experience this wonderful river can give him, then try fishing it with a fly rod and flies. He'll never regret it.
 
While not as much fun as masturbation, it is way more acceptable to do in public, and discuss with others.
 
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I started fishing with my mom and dad before I can even remember.
My grandpa died when I was 15 yrs old (1965) and I got his ole bamboo fly rod and two reels, some kinda nasty fly line on one of the reels.
I pulled all the line out of the reel and cleaned and dried it, then with the help of Field and Stream and other fly fishing books and magazines I got out in the street in front of my house and I started to learn to cast a fly rod.
Some how or the other I got a ride out to the Rogue river and I watched another ole guy casting and fishing with a fly rod.
I was to shy to talk to this ole guy I just hid and watched.
He caught and released a few trout and walked back to his truck with all his line dragging behind him to dry.
Well after he left I walked and waded out to where he had been fishing and I beat the water till it foamed. I got a couple bites but no hook ups.
I my early 20's I bought a Eagle Claw back pack fly rod Medalist reel and DT line. A girl friend's dad taught me how to tie a brown hackle peacock and a gray hackle yellow. My mom got me a fly tying kit and now I'm 73 yrs old and there is nothing I love more than my wife is fly fishing.
Fooling the fish on my own ties, not having to get stink on my hands from bait, learning how to get that fly in the right spot without tangling in the trees and brush.
Always something new to learn on every fishing trip
 
I have no idea why I love to fish so much but it’s been that way since I can remember. I have vivid memories of fishing at 6 years old and I can’t recall a time since then where I wasn’t fishing regularly.
 
I've been thinking about this the last few outings, and it really is hard to explain. I think I'm broken. It's more than just hooking up. I'd rather have a couple bumps and the odd fish on the fly rod than the more productive bobber setup. It's just more pleasing to me.
 

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