this, like so many other ways, shows a major difference in fly fishing versus other types of fishing. With modern graphite rods and zero-stretch superlines on spinning and casting outfits, it is entirely possible for an observant fisherman to FEEL when a fish rushes a lure and turns away at the last instant, even a long cast away. I can feel the difference when a jig touches a bare rock or a moss-covered rock.

With fly tackle, the inherent stretch of the fly line, large diameter of the line with plastic coating, action of the rod, stretch of the leader, and many other factors combine to decrease your tactile feel (sensitivity) of what is going on at the fly.

Yes, we have all felt the jolt of a fish hitting a wet fly, streamer, or nymph from time to time, but as others have pointed out if you are waiting to FEEL a take on fly tackle, you are missing a lot of fish. I'm not a fly-only purist, so the contrast is very very evident to me.