| Since the earliest fisherman plucked fish | | | | must learn the difference. With bait casting, |
| from the water with their bare hands, anglers | | | | the weight of the lure and bait draws line |
| have found many different methods of fishing. | | | | from the reel, and extends out into the |
| Fly fishing is one of the oldest and has been | | | | water. When fly fishing the line is cast into |
| in existence for hundreds of years. Believed | | | | the water and the fly on the line follows the |
| to have begun during Roman times, the | | | | line into the water. It requires a lot of |
| advanced methods of fly fishing are | | | | practice and concentration to place the line |
| considered to have developed in Scotland and | | | | that is cast from the reel and having the fly |
| England. With improved reels, line and fly | | | | land in the desired spot on the surface of |
| gear fly fishing has grown in popularity by | | | | the water. The two main types of lures used |
| leaps and bounds. Originally, fly fishing was | | | | in fly fishing are the dry fly that remains |
| mainly used to catch trout and salmon, which | | | | on the surface and the wet fly that is |
| are easily fooled by artificial flies. | | | | designed to sink once it hits the water. |
| However, many species of fish are now being | | | | Other flies, called emerging flies partially |
| targeted by fans of sport fishing using dry | | | | submerge under the water, to duplicate the |
| and wet flies. Today the lines are heavier | | | | action of emerging insects from their larva |
| and larger in diameter. As a result there is | | | | stage. Fly fishing requires the fisherman to |
| a need for a larger reel that is required to | | | | adjust to local conditions as well as |
| hold that size of line. Anglers now research | | | | altering their technique depending on the |
| the local water life to determine the best | | | | time of day and time of year. It will take |
| colors and styles of flies that may be able | | | | the fly fisherman a lot of practice and |
| to attract the local fish population. The | | | | patience to develop the skills necessary to |
| main purpose of fly fishing is to offer an | | | | consistently catch fish. Making Your Own |
| artificial fly to the fish that will closely | | | | Flies After a fly fisherman has mastered the |
| resemble an insect or bug that is native to | | | | difficult techniques of fly fishing he may |
| the area. Curious fishermen may spend a lot | | | | want to design his own flies. It is a |
| of time researching the types of bugs that | | | | wonderful hobby. A master fly maker can build |
| flourish in the region as well as spending | | | | up quite a collection. A beautiful as well as |
| time studying the types of fish and how they | | | | effective fly can be a rewarding creation. |
| approach their victims. Practice, Practice, | | | | Whether you create your own flies or become |
| Practice, It Takes A lot of Practice to | | | | an avid collector, the art of fly fishing can |
| Properly Cast Flies For the fisherman | | | | grow on you and become almost an addiction. |
| switching from bait fishing to fly fishing | | | | |
| there is a conversion period in which they | | | | Written by David Swanson. |