Why do people Fly Fish? For some, spin or bait fishing is more effective. Spin fishing is a more modern way to fish. F
Fly Fishing has been around for centuries. Izzak Walton, Daniel Webster, and so many others loved fly fishing. The British Army fished around the world and took trout with them. There was only Fly Fishing. No spin fishing was yet invented.
The Biology of Fly Fishing is interesting. Understanding the fish’s ecosystem, anatomy, behavior, insect life, spawning cycles and so much more makes Fly anglers very knowledgeable.
I became a Fly Fisherman in the sixties. On a trip to Yellowstone Park, a neighboring camper named Mr. Dennis took a young boy under his wing and showed me the trailheads of Fly Fishing. We were camping at Norris Junction and spent hours along the Gibbon River. For longer trips, we went to the Gardiner River and Slough Creek. When the Yellowstone River opened, we fished the salmon fly hatch.
The best part of Fly Fishing is sharing the sport with others. I was a member of the first Trout Unlimited club in Towson, Maryland. Lefty Kreh, Boyd Pfeiffer, Joe Brooks, Bill Burton, Ed Koch, Vince Marinaro and other Fly Fishing pioneers and friends were members too. They loved showing a kid the art of casting, tying, and celebrating fly fishing.
Mentors made a difference in my life. Rules, regulations, ethics, respect, skills, and education were all important in fishing and in life. “Always Be Your Best” meant catching more fish and having more fun. “The most important things we learn are the things we learn after we already know everything!”
There were almost no Fly Fishing Only waters. Hunting Creek, in the Catoctin Mountains of Maryland, allowed 6 trout per day using a fly. The first dedicated Fly Waters I fished were in Yellowstone Park, along the Gibbon River. Bob Jacklyn, Bud Lilly, Charles Brooks, and others shared their skills with a young boy. The only expense was that I had to pass the knowledge along and respect the natural resources.
Fly Fishing is an Art! It is not for everyone. The simplicity of the gear, the emotion of the cast, the matching the hatch, and the places where we fished made me love Fly Fishing. The Fly Fishing waters rarely seemed crowded. Fish were abundant. Fly Fishing was unique.
After the movie “A River Ran Through It.”, the Fly Fishing popularity grew and has not stopped. Everyone wants to be Brad Pitt along the Blackfoot River.
Fly Fishing is simple, beautiful, and exciting. Every cast is a magical new opportunity. A caught fish adds confidence. The more you learn, the more you need to learn. You will never completely master Fly Fishing.
Fishing is changing. Everyone wants to spend time along the waters that make up Fly Fishing Paradise. It is not just about catching fish to eat, but rather about feeding our soul as we Catch and Release them. Finding time to wade in water with a fly rod is precious and appreciated. Fly Fishing can be done in small ponds, creeks, rivers, oceans, surf, bays, and anywhere there is water with fish. The therapy that Fly Fishing offers is healthy and peaceful.
New anglers are prescribing a dose of Fly Fishing. Healing waters encourage them to enjoy nature and the search for fish and happiness. We never get our limit of fishing time. As a group, all fly anglers need to accept one another. We are all there for the same reasons.
I am often asked what type of fishing my favorite is. My answer is whatever I am doing at the time. This may mean worms, cheese, live bait, spinning, trolling, archery fishing or… The truth is that Fly Fishing is the most special tackle time.
Fly Fishing has caught on in a big way.
Montana Grant
