Is Fly Fishing on a Serious Decline?

Hi All,

The post about fly tying shows being less attended has stirred up my thinking.

The bulletin boards seem like they have less traffic than they did a few years ago. Folks who regularly go to different boards seem to all report that traffic is down in all of them. When I fly fish in the mountains, (a very rare event for me), I see few fly fishemen, even on streams that are good fisheries and should get good fishing pressure. The truth is I see fewer fishermen off all types I think.

In fly fishing warm water lakes and public ponds, I have only seen one fly fisherman in all the years I have fly fished.

Even when fly fishing for winter stocked trout here in Texas I have never seen another fly fisherman. I spoke to one of the rangers out at the lake, and he had never seen anyone fish with a fly rod at our local lake, other than myself and a guy I am teaching.

In Lubboch, one of the major cities in the Texas panhandle, only one shop in town has any fly tying stuff. There were two places which stocked fly tying stuff in Amarillo, now there are none. I am not sure there ever was enough traffic to support tying stuff, but there obviously is not enough now.

The bottom line is, "Is fly fishing on the decline?" Is it mostly something for middle age to older guy, and was it alwasy such? Is what I see mostly about the slow economy, and that folks have less money for things like fly fishing and it will return when the economy gets better. Or, is fly fishing something who's popularity ebbs and flows. Or, are younger folks less enchanted with all types of outdoor activities now that they grew up playing in video games?

I do think that fly fishing was always a small part of fishing in general, even when it was at it's maximum popularity? I think I saw more fly fishermen back in the mid '90s after the movie "A River Runs Through It." Was the mid 90s an oddity when, due to the movie, there were a lot more folks trying to learn fly fishing?

Maybe now it is back to it's historical level. I don't know any of the answers. Maybe I am completely mistaken on this, and I hope I am.

Don't know. What do you all think?

Thanks and regards,

Gandolf

Not around here. I encounter many more fly anglers on the water than I did 10 or 15 years ago. The big growth has been with saltwater fly fishing. There are great year round fisheries here that do not require costly gear.
Many fly anglers here get started with saltwater fly fishing, most crossing over from conventional gear. Twenty years ago there was one local fly shop. There have been three for a out a half dozen years now.

There was a "Fly Fishing Show" in Southern California for several years. It not this year. They probably cancelled it for poor attendance. However compared to the other stops for the show, few vendors came and got booths to show their gear. So most people I know who went were disappointed. I know I was.

For the Missouri Ozarks I don't know. Last spring, 2012, we had good weather for the most part but from late spring until autumn broke it was absolutely horrible with heat and drought. I haven't fished since last April due to a combination of time, events and weather. That will have to be rectified this year. The year before it seems I saw about the same number of fly fishermen in the places I usually haunt. The places I usually haunt does not include the parks. I have no idea what's happening in them nor do I care to know. There is no fly shop in my immediate part of the Ozarks except for the paltry selection at Wally World. The closest one is 70 miles from my house.

To my knowledge there never was much of a warm water contingent of fly fishermen locally, at least on the creeks, streams and rivers. I do not recall ever seeing another fly fisherman targeting warm water in my over 40 years in the sport. I do know that lots of folks enjoy popping bugs on farm ponds for bluegill but from conversations the fly rod never leaves the farm.

IMHO, a lot of interests go in cycles. One of the movies that increased the interest in fly fishing a thousand fold(?) was "A River Runs Through it". I noticed the "fisher" population at the already crowded eastern rivers more so. Good or bad? I'll let you decide. The notion of casting a country mile in the great outdoors while consistently catching huge fish was appealing i must admit.

There is a pretty strong fly fishing/tying club here (I'm not a member), one honest-to-Pete fly shop and another outdoor shop (hiking, climbing, etc.) that has a fly fishing section, Dick's and Gander Mountain that have almost no ff stuff, and Cabela's which has a pretty decent selection. And of course Walmart. This is wiper/striper/walleye/catfish country (and bass of course); it seems most fisherman I see are geared up for whatever those guys gear up with (not that you can't catch that stuff on a fly rod but you know what I mean). I never see other fly fishers at my usual spots but maybe if I went to the places they hang out I would.

I do think "the movie" had a big effect on the ff boom, and maybe that worn off.

Gandolf,

Up here in the northwest, fly fishing is still going strong, despite the very poor economy. There are still lots of people fly fishing and buying fly fishing related equipment. The bad economy has been the biggest negative impact over the past 5 years, but people are adjusting to the situation and are starting to buy needed supplies to replace old and worn out equipment. A good judge of the fly fishing situation will be the Oregon Fly Tyers Expo which takes place this weekend in Albany, Oregon. It will be interesting to see how it goes. They have well over 100 tyers, 60+ vendors, and all kinds of classes. There should be a lot of people attending.

By the way, maybe if you would tell some fly fishers about the great fishing in those lakes and ponds, then maybe you would see more people out there :)

Then again, maybe you don't want to let the secret out.

Larry ---sagefisher---

In the past few years I've met an increasing number of fly fishers on my favorite local warmwater river, not large numbers, but up to 5 years ago I was lucky to see one other fly caster all year. Last year I had one day where I saw 5 others in the part of the river I was fishing...and not one spin fisherman. When I get down to the shore it seems to be growing there as well, but again, not in large numbers...just a few more.

I think the down economy plays a serious part as well, especially for the recruitment of the younger ranks. I think the fly fishing industry will contract a bit, resulting in fewer manufacturers. As the "Baby-Boom" generation slowly retires from the streams, the ranks of fly fishers will decline to some degree.

All that said, I don't think the apparent current decline will mark the end of the sport, just usher in the next era of flyfishing. That's just my ramblings on the subject. I may be wrong. I blame the cold medicine.

Here the sport is going strong. Plenty in their 20's & 30's...probably more of them, than any other single demographic I encounter.

This might require some to question the popular perception. " Did the movie get made because the producers saw an existing audience for the product? "
;)

Dave

I perceive flyfishing gaining in popularity in my area. Still not a lot of us around, but certainly more with each passing year.
I try to do my part in promoting flyfishing locally. Lets face it...it isn't for everyone, but if you can get folks to try it, at least some won't be able to help but fall in love with it like we have! :)

I suspect that with today's economy, some folks may have less discretionary income which would limit those who may take an interest in fly fishing from getting started. Or those who all ready are may be spending less.

Not around here. Every year, more people on what little water there is. I WISH it was on the decline, by about 90%.

I started FF in the late 60's and I don't remember ever seeing another fly rodder on the water in those years. Information, flies, and equipment was almost nonexistant. Today I live in middle TN and again I can't remember seeing another fly rodder on the water but information is readily available because of sites like this. Other than 3 fly shops all about 40 to50 miles away there is basicly no equipment available other than on the web which has an abundance of stuff available as close as the puter and a 3 day wait. Check the price of much of the gear. $250 is considered a cheap rod and a $100 reel is probably below requirement needs. Then you need to spend upwards of $100 lines and the new fly fisher is not yet equiped to catch a single fish. .....I started with a $10 dollar rod and $6 reel and $5 line. The first time I went fly fishing I lost $2 worth of flies so I bought a tying kit and the real fun began. ..... We need to stop telling the fellas that want to start into the sport that they need to spend a $1000 to see if they like the game. I don't think one can even buy a level line any longer and glass rods are selling in the same dollar range as a top of the line bamboo used to sell for. We as a group lead folks to beleive that Fly casting is next to black magic and that to have fun one needs to be able to cast a line 150' to cold water fish that most of us have to travel 10hours to get to prime water and pull on a $600 pair of waders and a $400 pair of boots. It is a wonder that anyone even considers picking up a flyrod. I was in a fly shop a few weeks ago and I picked up a boo rod and the price was $2000. I have owned more than one new car that was less expensive. .....Eagle Claw is marketing a series of flyrod that sell for well under $50. Are they as good as a Winston? no...but are just what a beginner needs to get started but I have never seen anyone, including myself, recommend one to someone wanting to get started in our loved activity. I would'nt even know where to get one. Wal Mart does not even carry them. Sorry for the rant

Very well said, ditz. Very well said. I would add that I've been fishing budget minded gear for about 15 years and I can promise anyone that even with a $50 rod it is possible to greatly enjoy every day spent swinging it. Now that the kids are finally through college, I may venture into some higher end gear...there isn't anything wrong with it in my head, but then again I may not.

I can be a little selfish at times ( no really I can ;-) ), If fly fishing numbers are down meaning less pressure on the waters ... Yahoo ! Then on the flip side, I do enjoy meeting and chatting with other flyfishing folks on the water... So, what the heck, iether way Im happy ... :-) It seemed to have declined some to me, and maybe the further from the movie the more it wil. I also think in this time of istant gratification there are less who are willing to slow down and enjoy the learnning part of it.

My perception is that there are a number of young fly fishers that are very passionate and will continue the sport quite nicely. The industry is still producing an inconveivable amount of products that must have a market. Ask the factory reps to see what the market is would be my suggestion to judge the number of fly anglers

Of the 50 million or so people who fish in the US only 3-5 % fly fish. It is a niche sport. I live in southern California and fish the Sierras and have seen a slight decline people fly fishing in the Sierras. I do allot of warm water fly fish and usually I am the only weirdo with a fly rod. I agree with Ditz. I started fly fishing in the early 70s and there was very little info on the subject in those days. The only rods I remember then was Fenwick, Fisher, Winston, Browning, Hardy, Scott was just starting out and Sage was not even in business then. Glass rods were still the main rod of choice and graphite rods were just being invented. Since that time fly fishing has grown a 100 fold.

Lanny

Hi Ditz,

as PA Dave points out, well said. I have an Eagle Claw fly rod that was $25, and I like it a lot. It is a 5 wt 6' 6" yellow fiberglass job and it is wonderful for fishing brush and tree lined streams. I also have some expensive rods, but for the beginner, I would recommend inexpensive stuff.

My reels are mostly Crystal River Fly Reels that I bought on the net, and the most expensive one was probably on the order of $30. For the fly fishing I do, they work fine. The truth is that for the fly fishing I do, inexpensive equipment would do fine. It is nice to have a really light weight rod, as the cheaper rods tend to be heavier than my high dollar rods, but in truth it does not matter very much.

By the way, since Ditz asked, you used to be able to buy inexpensive Eagle Claw rods on Ebay. I assume that you still can. I don't know if any of the sponsers carry them.

My point is, which Ditz made much more effectively than I will, that you don't need expensive stuff to fly fish with, especially as a beginner. When I was younger my wife and I had kids in college too, and I didn't have a lot of spare money for high dollar rods. Lately I have started building my own rods, and the days of me buying the really expensive rods, even if I did buy them used at about half price or less, are over.

As far as actual fishing goes, I don't think using a high dollar fly rod will make me a better fisherman at all. At times they are nice though.

Regards,

Gandolf

I see more and more ffers...but only on the "blue-ribbon" waters. On the lesser known streams, still don't see very many.

I sell fishing equipment at a flea mrkt and fly gear is the smallest part of what I sell. I sell inexpensive rod and reels from southbend,crystal river martin,and superfly. Most of my fly customers are beginners or occasional fly fishers. My buddy tried to put some custom rods in my store and they just didn't sell. I think the economy is a big factor in that when a guy has a set amount to spend the safe bet is the spinning rod vs flyrod.

My neighbor Deedoe make a good point. Living on the edge of metro Atlanta I frequently run into people on the Hooch who are new to fishing. They heard there were trout in the river and decided to go catch some. They always have a new spinning outfit, usually one suitable for light salt water. I have never run across a novice fisherman with a new out of the box fly outfit. Of course, where I fish most of the time most of the time they are using illegal bait also. I have a neighbor who decided he wanted to learn to fly fish because he had hit 50 and did not really have any hobbies. He had concluded fly fisher were the people really passionate about their sport. I hope he can learn without me causing him too much harm.

In states with trout, fly fishing is NOT on the decline. In saltwater areas where fly fishing for special targets (bonefish, permit, snook, tarpon) fly fishing is NOT on the decline. However, outside of those locations, in areas where it is easier to have good catches with commie tackle, fly fihsing is declining because of the age of the average fly fisher. Our club is very active but average age of members is over 50. Catching redfish and specks (spotted sea trout) is easier and more reliable with spinning gear. It's often very difficult to convince a kid that he/she should take the time to learn to cast a fly to catch 1/2 as much fish as can be caught with lures.
As for participation on bulletin boards, that seems to happen in waves and is not really indicative of interest in fly fishing.

I've seen a number of college kids fly fishing, but cost is an issue and they often have the most economical of gear. Come to think of it, that describes me when I was in college.

Ed

According to the Midwest Fly Fishing show this past weekend in Michigan, Saturday was the second all time record crowd for the show and Sunday was OK. Surely that would mean NO! decline in fly fishing to me.
One thing I did notice is a incline/interest in switch rods this year at the show.

Almost 20 years ago, I read a study stated that the average to start fly fishing was 35 and the average age of a fly fisher was 58. I was recently informed that the average age risen slightly to 59 (As I remember the original stats came from a study funded by the Fly Tackle Dealers and the Federation of Fly Fishers, I believe...)

With that being said, the International Federation of Fly Fisher (IFFF) and their charter and affiliate clubs have done more to promote this sport than any other group.

Check out the IFFF website at: http://www.fedflyfishers.org/

Join the Federation... Go to an IFFF event... Find a club and join it.. or start your own... I did some 30 years ago and its still going strong and has helped to bring a number of folks to our sport.

Kyle

While I agree that any decline in interest may be due to the failing economy there are two other factors worth considering. There is constant pressure on the part of manufacturers to continually "upgrade" their products at higher prices making the hobby a more exclusive activity. In addition there is such a proliferation of synthetic fly tying materials. Many producers will be promoting the same or slightly different items claiming that theirs is unique. Most of this "bull" really turns-off mature tiers but we see many newbies being encouraged to spend fortunes on stuff they don't need. We even see some of the most famous and published tiers continually producung new designs calling for exotic and strange materials.
I may sound like a minimalist but this is far from the case. I too am a victim of all of the above. ;)

Like many others I don't think it is a general decline of fly fishing in areas that encourage fly fishing. I live in southern Iowa and it is a 4 or 5 hour drive either north or south to fly fish for trout. I do enjoy our trips to the dreaded trout parks of southern Missouri for most of my trout fishing. During the spring and summer I spend most lunch hours with a fly rod on one of several ponds very close to the auto dealership where I work. I have only seen one other fly fisher on any of these occasions here. The bass, bluegills, crappies and even catfish are usually very cooperative and are fun on a 2wt or 3wt rod. I agree that most beginners are intimidated by the cost of some of the equipment that is so heavily promoted in the magazines and tv shows. I had played with some old fiberglass fly rods for several years before I planned a vacation in 2009 to Bennett Springs in Missouri to go trout fishing. I decided to get a little more serious, but still didn't have any money. I ordered a Three Forks Prestige combo from Cabelas in an 8 ft 5wt and about a dozen flies. The total cost was about $80.00 and I was ready to fish. While many shun the trout parks I enjoy them and the learning experience they provide. On that first trip I was able to watch fly fishers and even to get a couple to talk to me and I caught some fish. Taking their advice I then caught more fish. Over the next 14 years I have increased my knowledge, added a couple more and better rods including a Sage Launch and one of those Eagle Claw yellow rods, learned to tie flies, built a 2wt from a kit, and even have been able to encourage a few others to take up fly fishing, and life is good. My point is that I agree that you do not need high priced equipment to start fly fishing.

I think that women are the largest growing segment and we need to encourage and foster their interest as much as possible. At Bennett Springs I have had 2 different occasions where girls have approached me and asked questions about fly fishing and casting, obviously because I am old and look safe. Both times I showed them a couple of things and taught them to make a roll cast and a short over head cast, and how to set up a nymph or something under a "strike indicator" and let it drift down stream. One of them, after we talked, went up to the park store and rented a fly rod and came back and I showed her again and she started to catch a fish once in a while and was thrilled. If we want to have more fly fishers then some one has to teach young people, and if you take the time it can be a wonderful feeling.