The term ‘fly-fishing’ is used to describe a method of angling in which fish are caught through the use of an artificial ‘fly’ which is cast using a fly rod, reel and a specialized weighted line. The ‘flies’ that are used for this activity are often tied by fishermen themselves to resemble food organisms or other natural invertebrates. The techniques used in casting these flies and also ‘lures’ (objects attached to the end of fishing lines which are designed to resemble and move like the prey of certain fish) are significantly different from those used in other forms of fishing and casting. The techniques used in fly fishing can also greatly vary according to the terrain in which it is being practised, with the approach used in large rivers being considerably different to that used in small streams.
Fly fishing can be practised in both salt and fresh water. In Britain, for example, a clear distinction is made between ‘game-fishing’ for species such as trout and salmon and ‘coarse fishing’ in which the target species include carp, bream and chub. The practise of fly fishing has been occurring for several hundred years, as shown by the publication of ‘The Treatyse on Fysshynge with an Angle’ as long ago as 1496.
Unlike many other methods of casting, fly fishing is often viewed as a means of casting a line rather than a lure as the fly on the end of the line is far too light to be cast and as a result it simply follows the unfurling of a properly cast fly line whereas in other non-fly types of fishing, the weight of the lure is utilised to pull line from the reel after being cast. The types of cast being used in fly fishing depend almost entirely on the conditions. The most common cast used in fly fishing is the ‘forward cast’.
The ‘Forward Cast’ involves the angler whisking the fly into the air and over his shoulder until the line is almost straight and then cast forward, primarily through the use of the forearm. The aim of this technique is to “load” (bend) the rod tip with stored energy and then transmit this energy to the line itself. This is intended to result in the fly line (as well as the fly itself) being cast for an appreciable distance in contrast to the short distance resulting from just bending the rod back and releasing it.
