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Fly fishing is an angling technique that uses an ultra-lightweight lure called an artificial fly, which typically mimics small invertebrates such as flying and aquatic insects to attract and catch fish. Because the mass of the fly lure is insufficient to overcome air resistance, it cannot be launched far using conventional gears and techniques ...
Fly fishing is an ancient form of angling that goes back to at least the second century AD. The earliest recorded evidence suggests that it was practiced by primitive cultures in Europe and Asia for centuries before being brought to North America by European settlers in the 1600s.
Jul 7, 2022 · The true origin of fly fishing is somewhat debated, with two of the most popular origin stories coming from ancient Rome and ancient Macedonia. Evidence of some of the earliest known writings about fly fishing comes from the ancient Roman culture, dating back roughly to between 100 to 200 AD. This evidence comes in the form of writings from two ...
- Earliest Records of Fly Fishing in Roman Times
- Fly Fishing in Britain and Europe
- Fly Fishing in The 19th Century
- Fly Fishing Crosses The Atlantic
- Fly Fishing Across The Us
- Advances in Fly Fishing Equipment
- Modern Fly Fishing
Two of the earliest references to fly fishing come from the 2nd Century. It was then that Roman author and rhetorician Claudius Aelianus described the use of red wool and feathers affixed to a hook, along with a fishing rod and line that was six feet long, used by Macedonians to “attract” and “snare” fish. Additionally, in 1921, William Radcliff au...
Literature from Britain chronicles the history of Fly Fishing techniques through the 13th and 18th centuries. In 1496 the first account that focused on teaching fly fishing was published within a larger composition called The Boke of St. Albans when in 1496, The Treatyse on Fysshynge with an Angle offered instructions on fly fishing equipment and t...
The popularity of British fly fishing peaked in in the late 1700s as the sport became a favored pastime of the wealthy, which joined exclusive fly fishing clubs. It was not until the Industrial Revolution paved the way for the expansion of the railroads in Europe that fly fishing became an accessible recreation opportunity to middle and lower-class...
Elsewhere, fly fishing was not as elitist; both dry and wet flies were used widely. The popularity of the sport grew in the Northwestern portions of North America. Later, fly fishing spread to the Midwest in the driftless region of Wisconsin and westward.
In the United States, fly fishing was popular in New England and upstate New York, where a small stream fishing method for brook trout was mastered. Anglers caught new species on the fly, and many believe that American fly fishing adapted dry flies to pursue largemouth bass, the bass popper being an example of acontemporary bass lurewith fly fishin...
History of Fly Fishing Hooks
Hooks that were stronger, lighter, and sharper sum up the advancements in hooks for fly fishing. Early hooks were made with shafts made of wood, bone, and even bird beak, attached to a flint tip. Later, hooks were crafted from bronze, copper, and softer steel.
Fly Rods Then and Now
Early fly rods were long poles with fixed line lengths. The length of the pole offered reach. As reels were invented and the ability to cast a line, as opposed to relying on wind, rod rings were introduced, and the types of materials to build rods went from local woods to bamboo and fiberglass. Today, fly rods are primarily made from carbon and offer superior strength and flexibility.
The Evolution of Fly Reels
As fly fishing moved away from fixed lines, the need for controlling line became very important. Early reel options were based on the winch system. Fly Anglers mainly used these reels to hold and dry the silk line. Later, what became the design for most modern fly reels were created by Orvis and Illingworth. These reels built upon the winch design, increasing line retrieval speed, and began to incorporate the ability to apply resistance to the release of fly line.
Today, fly fishing is more popular than ever. In 2013, the fly fishing industry in the US was estimated at $750 million. Since then, the interest in fly fishing has only grown, and with it, a dizzying variety of fly fishing business, products, services, and destinations have spread and worked to popularize fly fishing. Despite the innovations in fl...
Jan 3, 2024 · Fly fishers desired longer lines yet, but how to handle lines that could stretch to 20’ or more? A 20’ fly rod was just a bit unwieldy. The fly fishing reel as we know it today was invented in the latter part of the 19th century and now came into wide use. The first fly fishing reels were simple line holders. They often rotated freely on an ...
Today’s fly fishing is both entirely different and yet extremely similar to the fly fishing developed in the 1600s. Fly fishing is a sport that combines modern technology with timeless sensibilities. New techniques are developed without losing sight of what makes the sport special and have attracted anglers for hundreds, if not thousands, of ...
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The first mention of fly fishing is in The Treatyse of Fishing with an Angle, published in 1496 and a book which you will come across repeatedly on this site. If you want to read more about The Treatys e visit the "origins" page. The Treatyse listed 12 flies, but had nothing whatever to say about spinning, or trolling, as it was originally known.
