Comments on: What Constitutes As Fly Fishing?

By: flyfishergirl

flyfishergirl — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 04:17:42 +0000

@ Aaron – You just nailed why i love fly fishing so much. I was hoping someone came up with it. Rules are individualistic, and often opportune…and in many/most circumstances, no fish or take can ever be duplicated. Statistically, it’s like playing the lotto. Chances everywhere…

By: Fat Guy Aaron

Fat Guy Aaron — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 20:54:35 +0000

Fly fishing is great because you get to draw your own line in the sand as far as the rules. My take on egg patterns is it is as natural and consistently occurring as any hatch, it’s not like you’re out there with a corn cluster fly chumming with handfuls of corn. Let the purists bitch, they are going to anyway, they have plenty of time to think about things to bitch about while you are catching 3-5 fish to their one.

By: flyfishergirl

flyfishergirl — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 02:00:47 +0000

@ KJ – Loved the comment. Almost sprayed my coffee everywhere.

By: flyfishergirl

flyfishergirl — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 01:56:57 +0000

@ Mike – Yep – ’tis true – i lifted it when we were on the Skagit.

@ Desi – Conditions and species targeted will always dictate what type of fly and setup an angler uses – no doubt about that. It’s something that every angler deals with. Choices are then made internally as to what is ‘ethical’ to that person.

Yes, you are right – basically all flies are some sort of ‘bait’ or natural food source imitation. In all honesty though, fish will take pretty much anything. Hook a chunk of moss through a hook and swing it…trust me, it will work at some point. I have watched mushrooms work and heard stories about cigarette butts…

In my opinion, basically all we are doing is getting the fish to react out of either aggression or hunger. Its like a cheeseburger walking by…i may not be hungry, but i most likely would have a bite or two.

@ Erik – Thanks for posting. I like your site, thanks for sharing.

I suppose all it really is a personal choice about what we are willing to fish, how bad we need to catch a fish and the path that we will take to ensure we do.

As i get older i realize that it’s the times on the water that are more important to me than the fish i may catch.

As for hybrid techniques and attitude – i admit, i have been guilty of them before, however i am now trying to push myself an an angler and am curious to know what methods others will partake in, where they draw boundaries and what constitutes as ‘fly’ angling.

By: Erik Helm

Erik Helm — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 17:21:13 +0000

Careful now… You are questioning the ‘revolution’ in fly-fishing.
You know the one… Hybrid techniques and attitude…
Seriously, good for you for posing some leading questions. I have written rather extensively on my site regarding sporting traditions, defining fly-fishing, and questioning some current trends.
Classicangler.blogspot.com

Regards,
Erik

By: Mark Yuhina

Mark Yuhina — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 15:55:58 +0000

“I like more classic flies and I tend to fish smaller flies. I do fish single egg patterns when necessary but we all have our limits.”

“Plus, i like to be able to enjoy casting a light sparse fly, opinions and personal ethics aside.”

Well said! Above!

Ooops… my opinion again… : )

By: Desi

Desi — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 12:45:15 +0000

I fish heavy flies a lot due to getting that fly down to where the smallies are hiding. There is only a small window for top water flies when fishing smallies. There is definately a different technique for casting a big Clouser minnow half and half and not scaring all the fish away or bonking yourself in the back of the head .

Hey, just a thought, aren’t flies supposed to immitate bait? All fish eat bait fish and other forms of bait. Aren’t we trying to trick the fish into believing what we are throwing at them is bait fish or other forms of bait. I am fairly new to fly fishing and still have my limits on what I would use or consider a fly. To me dough balls, spinner blades, treble hooks, etc. are not bait, but lazy fishing.

By: Steelie Mike

Steelie Mike — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 04:41:16 +0000

Where did you get a picture of my Elephantitis Leech. That;s not for the internet .

By: Ariel

Ariel — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 23:56:56 +0000

Fly fishing in my mind is defined by my equipment, both in what I tie on to the terminal and what is in my hand. The fly pictured in the article does seem to fit my definition of a fly used in conventional fly fishing. But than I’m a bit old school.

By: flyfishergirl

flyfishergirl — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 20:37:43 +0000

I too would not fish that fly, for many reasons. Most of which Patti has stated. But, i don’t judge others for being honest and any saying they would. Different strokes for different folks.

The fly reminds me too much of bait, and in my mind…large egg clusters are exactly that to me – synthetic or not. Plus, i like to be able to enjoy casting a light sparse fly, opinions and personal ethics aside.

However, i can imagine that fly would be very effective under the right circumstances. Funnily enough tho, one of the guests used it for a few hours – and no dice!