FAQ's about the sport of Fly Fishing

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Welcome to the supplemental section!Here we will start with some of those frequently asked questions (FAQ) from non fly fishers.
If you haven't seen your question here go to the message board and post your question there.
HOW IS FLY FISHING DIFFERENT THAN CONVENTIONAL FISHING?
In conventional fishing the lure or bait is thrown from the end of a rod in the form of a cast. The propelled lure pulls the line off the reel.
In fly fishing the line is heavier and that is what we are casting and the fly is pulled along.
Most 'flies' are very light and could not be cast by spinning tackle.
WHAT ARE THESE 'FLIES' IN FLY FISHING?

Hand made lures, originally made to imitate Mayflies, but now are made to imitate almost anything. They are made of natural material (fur and feathers) and a fair amount of "craft store" synthetic type materials.
IS FLY FISHING JUST FOR TROUT?
Although fly fishing was invented to catch trout it has evolved to a fishing method that can catch any fish.

IS FLY FISHING HARDER THAN SO-CALLED 'NORMAL FISHING'?
No!
The only things in life that are hard are the things you can't do yet.
In reality the hardest part of fly fishing is that most of us come to it through normal fishing.
Some but not all of that knowledge is transferable to fly fishing but the casting is not.

IS FLYFISHING EXPENSIVE?
Yes and no. You can spend a little or a lot.
If you get into it gradually, then no, it is not expensive. Tying your own flies may not be much cheaper than buying but both are much cheaper than buying lures.
The problem is that a lot of us never want to be gradual about it.
So getting everything at once is quite expensive.
If you buy a decent fly rod combo (rod, reel line and backing) some leaders and flies you might top out at 2 0r 3 hundred dollars . But that my friend is just to start.
WHAT IS THE FISHING LIKE?
Well with a fly rod there are many things to consider. Most importantly is that one is at a disadvantage in many respects. Casting: you need as much room behind you as in front. Playing and landing a fish: the reels in fly fishing are "single action" Meaning there are usually no gears so, between that and the fact that a lot of the fish are landed by just stripping line, it is really just you against the fish with little in between.