Is it still flyfishing if I'm trolling?

[eshuang]

This is what I typically do in my local pond from my float tube: Using a streamer and sinking line, I let out between 50 and 60 feet and kick slowly around the pond. While doing so I strip the streamer back a few yards and then let the line go slack and sink (repeat). This technique works well with a sink tip on stocked trout in the spring, and with fast sinking lines in mid-summer for panfish and bass. Deep in the kettle ponds on Cape Cod, I've also caught trout in the summer.

I'm not sure whether this is technically trolling or not, but it's enjoyable and works for me!

[MOturkE]

If you catch fish with a fly rod using a fly, then you're still fly fishing. You don't have to actually have the rod in any casting stance to be flyfishing. I was trying to untangle a windknot on my line once while the fly was in the water, a large bluegill took the fly and began to trek back to his part of the neighborhood. Was that flyfishing?

Is there such a thing as tangle-fishing? ...tangling, maybe? Does that make me a fly-tangler?

I may be onto something here...

Just catch fish and have fun!!!

[white43]

MO, what do you call it when a big bass takes a Dalhberg Diver that just happened to be laying idle in the water next to your canoe while you're looking into a fly box for a different fly. Fly Boxing? JGW

[teasels]

What if you hook a tree in a back cast ! wood bass or a tree gill

[Jonezee]

Swen - Websters defines "Fly Fishing" as this:
fly-fishing
Pronunciation: 'flI-"fi-shi[ng]
Function: noun
: a method of fishing in which an artificial fly is cast by use of a fly rod, a reel, and a relatively heavy oiled or treated line
- fly-fish /'flI-"fish/ intransitive verb

The key word is "cast" here and to me, casting the line rather than the lure is what fly fishing is all about. Also, when I help teach an newcommer to fly fishing, I try to explain that it is the weight of the line going out through the guides that seperates fly fishing from onther methods.

Now I have good news for you.
The cambridge dictionary defines fly fishing as:

Definition

fly-fishing
noun [U]
when you try to catch fish using a fly to attract the fish

Sounds like that includes trolling? You are damned if you do damned if you don't. Have fun and enjoy, Jonezee

[OkieBass133]

My opinion- trolling with fly tackle does not equal fly fishing. Fly fishing is about the action, the mechanics. Just so happens that it takes special gear to make all that stuff happen. If you don't make the gear do that voodoo that you do, it isn't fly fishing.

[Jed]

I'm in a drift boat, I cast toward shore. If the boat is moving 1mm per hour faster than the water -bam- your trolling.

You are in your kayak/canoe on a like, you cast the wind blows sligtly -bam- your trolling.

THe difference is the speed that a force other than your body is moving the fly. If the above examples are not trolling then at what speed does drifting become trolling? 1 mph? well what about .9 mph...

This argument, like is sven's is semantics.

sven,
You can call it whatever pleases you. You are a pirate aaarrrggghhh. Don't take no gruff from anyone.

jed

[swen]

Thanks to all for the advise and the opinions. I have come to the conclusion that what I was doing was having fun fishing with the fly gear. Be it trolling or drifting and casting, I was having fun with my fishy friends on my vacation.

JED, it's been so long, I forgot I was a pirate.

aaaaarrrrrfffff
aaaaarrrrrsssseeee
aaaaarrrrrats

(pirate noise, pirate noise)

[Jed]

What deos a Pirate say when he has a cold??


Aaarrrcchheeww

jed

[Jim Hatch]

Hi Swen,

I think you nailed it buddy. Any legal methods that provide you
pleasure are a problem to no one else. We get to pick and choose
for ourselves as we go along. We can all have fun while still
respecting and protecting our fisheries. Semantics are not that
important.*G* Warm regards, Jim