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WHAT IS FLY FISHING?
In the last issue I wrote an article entitled "The Fun Factor" in which I lamented some of the practices that I have recently observed while pursuing trout with a fly rod. I also quoted another angling writer who has observed the same things. Some of our readers took exception to my conclusions and perhaps I'm to blame for their reaction.
Good points Neil. Our sport does need more fly fishermen or women who love the sport and its resources
Neil,
I have been a fly fisher since the mid-70's. For the last 35+ years, I make my trek to the Henry's Fork and fish The Ranch as well as the Madison and streams in the Park.
There is a little informal "club" of us who meet there each summer and fish. One of the fellows is from the San Francisco area. He drives up each summer and stays in his camper van. He fishes every day from early June through September.
When things there slow down, he moves up to the Missouri, and then returns to Last Chance when things pick up around there.
We all love fishing and often get together in the evening at the Trout Hunter for a drink and to share the highlights of our day on the river. We all love the sport and most of the folks there in the evenings seem to love it as well.
I have met some young fishers on the river who seem just as passionate about our sport. I think the endeavor will be in good hands in the future.
Byron,
JC and I fished the Henry's Fork at Last Chance in September 1971 and I have fished it over the years since that time. One of the things that I notice is the graying of the people in the groups that you describe. I see young people, some very dedicated to the sport, but those of us that are retirement age plus generally outnumber them. Fly fishing is not a sport that will consistently produce instant gratification without more than a modicum of effort.
Hope you have a great time when you visit this summer.
Thanks Neil. I often get up to the Gardiner area and fish the Gardner in the park. A few times, my son and I have gotten up to Livingston.
How is Ladyfisher? Hope all is well with you folks. When did you get back from Arizona?
Forgot to mention this: I think one reason there is a majority of "gray heads" at destination fishing places is that they/we have completed our child rearing and have the time to go "solo" on a fishing trip. if you travel to such places to fish, you usually are there for a minimum of a week given the cost/time to travel. I personally have had a very understanding wife who has always let me take my fishing trips. Many of my friends, however, had to wait until their family was raised and perhaps had reached retirement age.
Byron,
The Ladyfisher struggles with arthritis but otherwise she is doing well. I'm very well, God has blessed me with very good health. We plan on being back in Livingston by the last week of April.
Thanks for your continuing support of FAOL.
There is a difference between "fly fishing", and "fly fisherman". One can fly fish without being a fly fisherman. Many get into the sport because of curiosity, the romance of fly fishing often written, or the perceived challenge. All are valid reasons to try any outdoor sport or pastime. But most, will drop out as those romances fade, or the perceived challenge becomes to insurmountable for them. It's the individual who's heart jumps a little bit when they see a rise-form. Who's whole being just feels better when on the water with a flyrod in hand....that stays. Those are the grey heads that are seen. They can't help themselves. The drive and love of pursuing fish with a fly is something they can no sooner stop than one could stop taking a breath. For some it's trout and trout waters. For others like myself......it's any fish. The pop of a bluegill sucking in a popper, a bass crashing a bassbug in the lilies, the wake of a pickerel as it closes in on a streamer or the rise of a trout to sip a dry fly are one-in-the-same.
Hey there NJ,
YOU hit the nail on the head as to what I have posted here many times before. I differentiate fly fishing from being a fly fisherman. What follows is NOT a sermon but merely my personal observations and experiences over 50 + years . I fish fly about 3 weeks a year , mostly in "the parks" of NW Wyoming ( duh!) I enjoy the experience no less than any fly fisherman BUT not as often.I fish only moving waters ( if the waters don't move, I DO) . I don't tie flies, build rods, furl or seek fishing destinations. My mouth does not water at the thought of a newest and finest fly rod. I still work half a day (9 to 9) every day so I could certainly afford the best. If I discover fish prefer expensive rods, mine will be in the $5000 range. I don't know any fly shop owner by his/her first name. I don;t need anyone to guide me to the fish because I "think" i know where they are ( sometimes works) I don't seek huge fish but have fooled a few. I fish for trout exclusively if only because they don't live in ugly places.
I believe that being a Fly fisherman requires a much deeper dedication to the pursuit. I have neither the time nor the talent for that. But even then, what little time I do dedicate to fly fishing, I really enjoy.
Mark
Like everything, the flyfishing community is made up of individuals. We really shouldn't expect ANYONE to conform to OUR ideal of what flyfishing is or should be. We also can't expect to know why everyone else does what they do in the particular way they do it. We can ask and learn, and we can share our viewpoints. We can enjoy flyfishing in the way that pleases us(within reason), and allow others to do the same (within reason).
Wow!! all of the above post are excellent!. I'm glad to see that we finally got this topic back on track. There will always be negative people in any sport or endeavor. But, hopefully, the positives will out weigh the negatives. Their are some, like Marco, who enjoy an annual event. There are others, like myself, who eat and breath the sport whether it"s cold or warm water fishing, but by no means good at it. Plus, there are others somewhere in the middle. There probably won't be as many next generation folks, for numerous reasons, to enjoy the sport like Old Joe, and that's a shame. However, I have a young granddaughter who has fallen in love with everything Fly Fishing. It's up to us gray hairs to stoke the fire and put them on the right azimuth to understand the traditions and truly enjoy it. Good to hear from all of you. Thanks Neil.
Thank you for your perspective. I really appreciate the passion you have. Thank you for a great article.