Fly fishing

Fly fishing is an ancient and distinct angling method, developed primarily for salmonids (trout and salmon, mostly) and now extended to other species such as pike, bass, and carp, as well as a wide range of marine species. Artificial flies are constructed — "tied" onto a hook with thread, fur, feathers and other materials — in sizes and colours to match naturally occurring food or simply to excite a fish. Fly rods are relatively light and long while the lines are relatively heavy, providing the casting weight. Lines may be tapered and of differing densities to float or sink and are matched to the rod according to weight. The fly itself can weigh very little and is normally attached to the line by a 2-3 meter leader which may taper to a very fine line at the tip end, also called the tippet. In fact, the main practical difference between fly fishing and casting is that in casting, you are using the weight of the lure to "throw" it out (much like throwing a baseball). In fly fishing, the "fly" is virtually weightless and you are using the weight of the line to place the fly where you want it to be. In fact, a fly line can be "cast" without any fly or lure on it at all, a feat impossible with a typical casting rod and reel. The point is that a fly can be presented gently and under the control of the angler instead of plopping down with a big splash. Stealth is often critical in fly fishing.

Popular locations

North American fly fishing for trout is now generally centred in the western states and provinces with Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, British Columbia and Alberta, and California holding the most interest. The city of Calgary, Alberta holds the distinction of having one of the world's best trout rivers (thanks to nutrient rich runoff from the city's waste water sewage) run through the centre of the city, although West Yellowstone is arguably the epicenter for Western Fly Fishing in North America. Famous North American waters include the Henrys Fork (home to Mike Lawson) and Silver Creek (Ernest Hemmingway's favorite haunt) in Idaho, the Yellowstone and the Madison in Montana, the Deschutes, the North Umpqua and the Rogue rivers in Oregon, the Pitt, Hat Creek, the Owens and the East Walker in California, Lee's Ferry on the Colorado River in Arizona, the San Juan in New Mexico, the Upper Delaware and the Green River in Utah, and the Arkansas, the Frying Pan, the South Platte and the Blue River in Colorado, and the White River in Arkansas.

Related Topics:
Colorado - Wyoming - Montana - British Columbia - Alberta - California - Calgary - West Yellowstone - Henrys Fork - Idaho - Yellowstone - Madison - Deschutes - North Umpqua - Rogue - Oregon - Owens - Lee's Ferry - Colorado River - Arizona - San Juan - New Mexico - Green River - Utah - South Platte - White River - Arkansas

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In addition to River Test, River Itchen, the Kennet, the Lambourn, and the Avon in the same area of southern England may also be considered legendary. Along with the River Don and the River Dee, Scotland boasts the River Spey after which an entire genre of two-handed fly rods and casting techniques is named. On the other side of the globe, the active geothermal area around Lake Taupo on the North Island of New Zealand is another world-famous trout destination, particularly the Tongariro River near Turangi.

Related Topics:
River Test - River Itchen - Kennet - Lambourn - Avon - River Don - River Dee - Scotland - River Spey - Lake Taupo - North Island - New Zealand - Turangi

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Salt-water fly fishing has rapidly expanded in popularity, especially along the Gulf Coast and the Florida Keys for such species as bonefish, tarpon, redfish, and permit, and along the mid-Atlantic and Northeast coasts for bluefish and striped bass. The Bahamas and Belize also provide outstanding opportunities for salt-water fly angling. Christmas Island in the Pacific is famous for bonefish, and various parts of coastal Australia offer a wide variety of saltwater sport fish.

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In recent years, more exotic locations for reaching native populations of species have become popularized such as Mongolia ( for the largest Salmonid species in the world, the taimen ), and the Kamchatka Penninsula in Russia, where many believe holds the largest runs of salmon species in the world.

Related Topics:
Taimen - Kamchatka

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