I have heard a statement over and over for years and I’m not sure what people mean. Please take the time to explain to me what it means if it something you agree with.
Here is the statement: “Fly fishing is a way of life.”
I usually hear it referenced like this: Fly fishing isn’t just a pastime or something I do for fun or just to get away—it’s a way of life.
Please explain.
Thanks.
Well I am new to flyfishing but I feel that way about my traditional archery passion.
The way I felt about motorcycles for about 35 years. I am sure many have heard “Live to ride, ride to live”.
For me, ,fly fishing is one of the most relaxing activities that exist. Its like meditation for me. I meditate almost every day as a way to clear my mind/wind down/ or calm down after a stressful moment. on days when i am on the water alone with my fly rod I dont need to do traditional meditation. its weird, I know.
David
There is more fly fishing stuff in our house than in the fly shop (we’ve been at this a while) most of our friends are other fly fishers. When I just moved from Washington state home to Montana Trav cataloged and packed up 1,500 mostly fly fishing books. I have more fly fishing shirts than dresses. Most of my/our vacations have been chosen by whether and where we could fly fish. I like being around other fly fishers because we are of a like mind and probably have more in common than most other “just folks.” When we’re out at the spring creek banding birds I spend an inordinate amount of time watching the riffles and trying to figure out how to fish it…(we’re not fishing) Most of the magazines coming to the house are, guess what? Fly fishing. When a bug hits the windshield I wonder what’s hatching. I don’t tie flies anymore (Trav does) but when I did I was looking at everything wondering if I could use it to tie flies. No, for us it is not a religion, we already have that - but a way of life? You bet.
Hugs,
LadyFisher
I suppose that from a practical viewpoint it means one is in the business of fly fishing. Other than that, it sounds like an overstatement for enjoying the heck out of the sport.
Mark
It was like this before we had FAOL…
LF
When you catch yourself thinking of the other events in your life in term of flyfishing metaphors, then you’re about there.
LF,
My post was in response to the original question and NOT a knock on your post reply. “overstatement” was NOT in reference to your words. And then , on the other hand…
Mark
I suppose that I look for a way to mold what I do AROUND my attraction to be on a river, with my wife and my fly rod…Best Regards…
dedication-is why i think it is a way of life-if youre not dedicated too it i think you will drift away from it -if you are dedicated it will be for life-and yes i am the same way with bow-hunting??
FFishing is like golf to be good you have to throw everything you have into it. Most people don’t understand that you can catch fish like that. They really don’t understand that for the most part FFishing the actual fishing part is just a small portion of the whole picture. And they really really don’t understand that you may be able to catch more fish a different way but you choose to do it your way not because you are stuborn but becasue you have choosen a “life style” that is differnt and that is ok. The life part is the love of nature and keeping it the way it should be not the way you want it to be.
I’ve been involved in fly fishing and fly tying for over half a cebntury and here is my thought.
When you grab a fishing “pole” and associated gear and go out to catch a fish, you are fishing.
When your interest extends into things like what is the “rod” made of, by whom, when was it made and how does its performance differ from others now it starts to become a passion. This broad interest covers all the aspects of your activity.
Not only what fly are you using and how are you presenting it but, what size, color, what phase of the insects development does it represent, from what materials is it made and could I tie one that might be an improvement?
Carry this investigative attitude into tha many facets of the hobby and it now becomes an obsession. And I use this word in a positive sense.
You’ll end up collecting comments and opinions from other equally inflicted folks and try to cross index them to help in drawing some general conclusions and then try to mentor other newbies to help them avoid all your mistakes.
It’s really more than a passion. Maybe it’s an obsession or even a disease.
What Ladyfisher said. It consumes you. You think about every little scrap of fiber, wrapping material, fur, feather and think what can I make with that. Your library gets taken over by fly fishing books and so does your mail box. You dream fly fishing. You plan your trips around fly fishing. You look at the seasons and think about fly fishing and how the seasons change what you do…and you learn that there are more seasons than spring, summer, fall and winter. You plan your trips not only around fly fishing but the hatches. In Michigan, the big one is the Hex hatch. Out west…the salmon fly. The first big hatch of spring (opener), Hendricksons. Summer tricos… and so it goes. Catching multiple species…what haven’t I caught, then going for it and the how. What haven’t I caught this way or that. Today it was a derby. The water was hot on the surface which meant the rainbow were deep. How do I get my fly to them. The bonus comes when you figure it out…and pull off a win. You constantly go on to pursue and perfect. What flowers are blooming when certain insects are present. What are the birds doing? What sounds do you hear. What’s the difference between the sound of a big fish and a small fish. Trust me my friend…it never ceases. That’s fly fishing.