What is Fly Fishing & Is that a Loaded Question?
What is Fly Fishing? It seems like a pretty straight forward question and the answer as defined by the Oxford Dictionary is equally simple: fly fish·ing is “the sport of fishing using a rod and an artificial fly as bait.” While I would have expected the tweed jacketed English gents behind the Oxford Dictionary to wax eloquently about fly fishing being tightly defined as sight fishing to rising trout with the use of a single dry fly, the actual definition of fly fishing is left wide open for interpretation and innovation. In this definition there are no limitations around the types or number of flies used, whether the rod is bamboo, graphite, or fiberglass, or if the angler uses an indicator, euro nymphs, drop-shots, pegs eggs, or wants to fish multiple dry flies together. Like a full painter’s pallet of color and each cast of the angler’s line a brush stroke, “What is Fly Fishing?” is a unique expression and different for everyone, but equally true and right for all.
What motivates each of us to pick up our fly rod and wade through the morning misted waters is an integral element of our unique definitions of “What is Fly Fishing?” We might fish to connect with ourselves and let loose the inner child who gets lost behind full inboxes and the responsibilities of life. There may be a primal connection for you as you return to nature, or a peace that settles in you enabling you to meet with God. Conversation flows a little easier with family and friends, the beer is colder and tastes better after it has chilled in the river, and there is always the hope that the next cast will tie you into a great fish! This simple definition of fly fishing is an invitation to fish 1000 different ways, using 1000 different combinations of line, weight, fly, and technique, across 1000 different waters!
There are those who would shackle this free and personal expression of fly fishing and that is done when the question “What is Fly Fishing?” is flipped and weaponized by the statement “That is not fly fishing”. When one takes on the mantel of self-appointed judge and arbiter, these comments erect walls and creates a caste system excluding others with the underlying judgment that “If you use an indicator, these types of flies, weights, or this particular rig, YOU ARE NOT FLY FISHING AND ARE THEREFOR NOT A FLY FISHER”
The “controversial” rig that started the discussion.
Those making such foolhardy, nearsighted statements might as well try to mandate “What is Beautiful” and “What is Delicious”! Just as beauty is in the eye of the beholder, so to “what is fly fishing” is solely defined by the individual so long as they are “using a rod and an artificial fly as bait”. I’ll say again now what I said on Instagram when a vocal critic decided to inform our community “what is not fly fishing”.
There is a big difference between saying “I wouldn’t use that rig on my waters” to making the judgement statement “that isn’t fly fishing” and in turn creating a caste system among anglers. It wasn’t that long ago that tweed jacketed Englishmen in their clubs were denouncing the use of nymphs let alone the ungodly bead headed nymph as “not fly fishing”, yet here we are today and that innovation is commonly accepted. I’m all for talking about the merits and disadvantages of different rigs and techniques but draw the line at judgement statements that create an US vs. Them line in the river. All anglers are welcome here and we look forward to the dialogue and to learning from each of you! Tight Lines friend.”
Among fly fishers the judgment “that is not fly fishing” need never be spoken again! The diversity of technique, personal preference, innovation, and motivation reflect the uniqueness and beauty of the individuals we share the water with and should be celebrated as we each enjoy and practice our unique definition of Fly Fishing! With that said, should we meet on the water I will look forward to learning what fly fishing means to you and trust that your practice and pursuit of the sport will only add new color and nuance to my own definition of fly fishing!
Fly Fishing for me includes Kissing Big Fish! To Each their Own!
