I fish with a 2 handed rod for certain species and during those times, when using the 2 hander, I get into a rhythm with the rod, the cast and the river. It becomes second nature; the swing, the lift, pull back with a small cast upstream to set up for the downstream rip, watching the mouse, setting the anchor, then forward with the cast, mend, swing. It almost becomes a form of meditation. While all of this is going I am reading the water. The speed of the current, the direction it is coming to my position, the depth of the water, the wind speed, wind direction and making adjustments to the cast during its progress to compensate for all the input. I feel so in tune with the river and its environment I become totally immersed in it to the point of being oblivious to anything or anyone else.
Do I feel this way with a single hand rod? You bet. The type of rod in my hands does not matter.
Yes, that is exactly how I sometimes feel when fishing wet flies with a “regular” bamboo rod. It’s a rhythm you get into, particular when the current speed is in sync with your own natural rhythm. Sometimes I feel like I could do it for hours even when there is no action.
I am in full agreement. Both styles of fishing produce their unique sense of karma and mystique. I simply state that they each are indeed unique, and therefore different.
I apologize that this post may be off topic a bit.
I agree that they are different aspects of fly fishing.
So I guess my question is what makes overhead casting fly fishing and spey casting just fishing with flies???
They both involve using the line to cast the fly and manipulating and tending the line to fish the fly. Both styles of casting can be performed on either set of gear and are fished out in similar methods.
Lots of what I see people calling traditional fly fishing methods (False casts, double hauls, cane rods, greased lines that float, and dry flies) are still quite modern in the entire scheme of things.
If you go back far enough into tradition most of what I have found on fly fishing was anglers using big two handed rods made out of sap wood and lobbing teams of sinking wet flies on sinking horsehair lines and swinging them in the current. Lines tied directly to the tip of the rod prevented; stripping line, shooting line, and double hauling.
What defines fly fishing for me is the line. Using the weight of the line to cast and manipulate the offering (lure/fly) to a fish. It has nothing to do with what is on the end of the line because that can be very very variable, material tied to a hook (just about anything can be tied to a hook). The rod is just a tool to manipulate the line. A cast is just a method to manipulate the line.
This post is not about which way is better than another. I find the “what is” and the “what is not” curious. It brings me to the post in warm water of what do you want to learn this winter. I want to learn it all.
I whole heartly agree with everything JC stated and do understand what he is referring to, but…
It is too cold here in Tennessee today to go fishing (a high of 36 degrees at 11am) so, I read JC’s article again and I think JC is “fishing with flies”! Let me explain…
I know a lot of people who bluegill fish, bass fish, pike fish, carp fish, muskie fish, cat fish, etc. etc., but, I do not know anyone who “fly fishes”!! Think about it. When was the last time you saw someone returning from a fly fishing trip with a stringer full of flies!!! Even Jack Hise has told me he is a fly fisherman, but, I have never seen him catch one! I have seen him catch trout, bluegill and bass, but, I have never seen him catch a fly! I love to tie flies and would really appreciate someone, who claims to be a “fly fisherman”, show me what their fly that they use to fly fish looks like. What size hook would you use? What material would you tie to the hook?
Now I use a fly rod for all species of fish that I fish for and tie my own flies for that particular species because there is no other form of fishing that can compare to fishing with a fly rod. A fly rod to me is just pure joy to use for presenting the fly and for landing a fish. Nothing can compare to it. A fly can be presented with a spinning rod, but, it is just not as much fun as presenting it with a fly rod. I still own my casting and spinning rods from my days as a tournament bass fisherman, but, they have not been used for over 14 years since I picked up a fly rod. The fly rod brought back the fun and enjoyment that got me started fishing in the beginning that I lost to tournament fishing. I live to tie flies and to fly fish. I really love to tie flies and use a fly rod to fish them. I love the surroundings of a river, the sounds a river and forrest makes, the birds and wildlife that can only be seen on a river or secluded lake and the calm and peacefull mood fishing with flies gives you. I enjoy sharing all that I have learned about tying flies and fishing with flies to anyone who wants to learn. Fishing with flies and a fly rod gives you something back that no amount of money can buy and the other true “fishing with flies” people you meet are pure gold on your “friends list”.
Thank you Jim and Deanna for taking the time and effort to produce this golden web site and making it available to all of us. I truely do not know what I would do if I did not have FAOL to turn too each and every day of my life. It is pure gold to me.
May the two of you and all the members of FAOL have a fantastic Christmas and a healthy and safe New Year.
that’s why it is best to fly fish during one of those so-called blizzard hatches. it improves your odds of hooking a fly while casting. you know the fly is the most elusive trophy anyone can fish for and actually the smaller the fly the bigger the trophy.