Fly Fishing Throughout the World

One of the reasons fly fishing is so popular is that the basics of the sport can be learned within a few hours, which makes it an easy sport to get into, but the most advanced techniques can take a lifetime to master. Therefore, fly fishing can keep its enthusiasts interested for years.

Fly fishing is one of the most flexible forms of fishing in the world. The techniques of fly fishing are as successful in a peaceful trout-filled mountain stream in northern Canada or when hoping to catch bonefish in the Caribbean. Fly fishing is versatile, and effective at catching many types of different fish all over the world.

The earliest recorded incident of fly fishing using manufactured flies is from ancient Macedonia. Fishermen in Macedonia used large six-foot rods in combination with six-foot lines in order to fish and make a living. The flies these fishermen used were simple-a hook covered with red wool and insect wings to make it resemble a fly.

From Macedonia, the sport spread quickly, though few areas have documented incidents of fly fishing. It spread to England and Scotland, though there is virtually no documentation until 1496. In that year, a book entitled The Treatyse On Fysshynge With An Angle was published, offering tips to fishermen switching to fly fishing. Its popularity only continued to increase, for in 1653, Isaak Walton published The Compleat Angler, which devoted several chapters to fly fishing. Due to the information included in both these publications, it is clear that fly fishing had already become an established way to fish before either was published. During the 1800s, numerous fly fishing clubs appeared in England to further promote the sport.

Due to weeds growing just below the surface and shallow waterways, the chalk streams of southern England are well suited to the process of dry-fly fishing. Further north in England and also in Scotland, wet-fly fishing was developed for use in deeper streams. There are many people who believe that dry-fly fishing is the purer form of the sport, and one can still go fishing in southern England.

In the United States, anglers began experimenting with dry-fly designs in the late nineteenth century in the Catskill Mountains. Most of these anglers also experimented in new designs for flies to make them look more like native species of insect. American fly fishers were generally more open to experimenting with wet-fly fishing.

The invention of fiberglass rods and synthetic lines and leaders after World War II has made the sport even more popular in recent history. Inland fishing is typically done with dry flies in streams and rivers whereas coastal fly fishing usually employs wet-flies in lovely bays or the open surf. Bass anglers generally use fly fishing as their preferred method of catching bass.

Saltwater fly fishing is becoming increasingly popular as travel becomes easier. Many experienced fly fishers will fly to the Caribbean and other countries in the southern hemisphere in order to catch tarpon and bonefish. Belize is a popular place to visit-it offers both saltwater and freshwater fishing. The opportunities for fly fishing are limitless.

Source:www.worldflyfishing.nl/