General
Published: 3rd of July 2022 • Last updated: 22nd of July 2022
We got the question so often we thought it would be good to write an article about it. For fly fishers it might be a weird question because it's so obvious. Not everyone can accurately explain it though, so it's an interesting one to think about for a moment. We asked around and these are all the things that people love about fly fishing.
Because you hold the fly line in your hand and strip it in, you have a direct connection with the fish through that line. That means that when there's a bite or a strike, you'll feel it very well. This adds to the feeling of fishing, of skill and being in touch and in control of what you're doing.
In a way fly fishing is like hunting because it involves moving around, sneaking up on fish, observing what's happening and anticipating. This adds to the game and tension in positive way, and makes catching a fish extra rewarding.
There's just something with the casting that makes it an activity that's soothing. The back and forth movements are calming and get you in a very relaxed state. You're actively doing something (versus just sitting down for hours) so after a few hours of fishing you really feel relaxed and recharged.
With any form of fishing you'll be in nature. With fly fishing you also move around a lot, so you get to take in a lot of scenery, spot wildlife and appreciate everything that nature has to offer.
Chances of catching a fish will increase dramatically if you know what the fish are feeding on. This means looking around, observing and gaining knowledge through research.
The term 'matching the hatch' means that insects are hatching and that your fly matches with that hatch. But of course there's not always a hatch. There might be insects underwater, small baitfish or other things that the fish are feeding on. You can research this up front to make sure you truly understand the fish you're going after.
All of this is something that fly fishers really enjoy, and it makes it even better if the research gets rewarded with a nice catch!
Fly tying is not for everyone. It involves a little investment in gear and materials and most of all: a lot of time. In return, you'll get what every fly fisher describes as 'the best thing': catching a fish on a self tied fly!
This is probably true for every hobby: nerd out on the gear. The materials, production methods, technical assembly, there's just something about fly fishing gear that makes it perfect to go into a rabbit hole of information. Just don't believe everything you read 😉
All in all it's different for everybody, but the most heard reason to love fly fishing is probably the fact that's an active form of fishing. You're not sitting down waiting for the fish to come to you, instead you try to find them actively in their own habitat.
If you're interested in reading more about fly fishing, check out our article on the history of fly fishing.
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Discover the thrill of fly fishing with terrestrials! Learn techniques, best flies, gear, and tips for targeting many species with this exciting fly pattern.
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New Zealand 🇳🇿
Sight fishing in clear mountain rivers and streams
Stream
Brown Trout
Rainbow Trout
France 🇫🇷
Serenity and trout between the cows
Stream
Brown Trout
Sea Trout
New Zealand 🇳🇿
Big trout in a big river
River
Brown Trout
Rainbow Trout
New Zealand 🇳🇿
Immersive sight fishing against a picturesque backdrop
River
Stream
Brown Trout
Perch
Rainbow Trout
Switzerland 🇨🇭
Pike and perch on lake Gruyère
Lake
Perch
Pike
Switzerland 🇨🇭
Fly fish the unique Cherry-Salmon Breed on the fly
Lake
Arctic Char
Grayling
Rainbow Trout
Austria 🇦🇹
18km of river among beautiful mountains
Stream
Brook trout
Brown Trout
Rainbow Trout
Germany 🇩🇪
Ample opportunities for all levels to catch trout and grayling
River
Brown Trout
Grayling
Sweden 🇸🇪
Over 30,000 islands and endless fishing possibilities
Sea
Lake
Pond
Canal
River
Stream
Atlantic Salmon
Bream
Brook trout
Garfish
Ide
Perch
Pike
Pike-perch
Rainbow Trout
Roach
Rudd
Sea Trout
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The study of insects. An entomology library focussed on the information relevant to fly fishing.
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