I remember the first time I picked up a fly rod. I was browsing in an Orvis shop in Louisville, Kentucky a little over 30 years ago looking for a new fishing hat. They had those really nice wide brimmed hats that kept the sun and rain off your ears and neck, a must for any fisherman. The hats were in the back of the store and I had to walk right past the fly rod display. I stopped and picked up a rod. The first thing I noticed was how light it felt. It was like holding nothing at all. The taper from the handle to the tip was more gradual and the rod was a lot longer than the spinning rods I used. It felt new and different!
A salesman came over and introduced himself as “Mike” and he asked me if I would be interested in trying out the rod. They had a casting area out behind the store and he said he’d be happy to rig the rod up and let me give it a test run. I explained to him that I had never even held a fly rod until that very moment and had no clue as to how to begin to cast with one. Mike said, “No problem. I’ll rig it up and I’ll give you a quick lesson.” I really wish I could remember Mike’s last name. I’d love to thank him for putting me on the road to what has become one of my favorite ways to fish and a major addiction.
Up until that day fly fishing was a mystery to me. I knew it existed because my Grandfather was a fly angler and I had seen it on fishing shows on TV, but the art of casting and rigging the outfit were beyond me. Over the next year I took some lessons and I slowly but surely perfected my casting. I actually started catching fish! It was great but most importantly it renewed my interest in fishing all over again. It was like being 6 years old and catching that first fish.
Now, years later, I’m often asked, “What’s so special about fly fishing and why spend the time and money to learn a new way to catch fish?” I answer, “It’s all about the feel.” That’s the only way I can explain it. I tell the person asking the question that they have to feel what it’s like to have a fish on a fly rod to truly understand what the addiction is all about. And it really is an addiction!
Unlike spin fishing, the connection with a fish on a fly rod is much more pronounced. You can feel every little head shake and move, and when a fish runs you feel the power of it all the way up your arm. It’s almost as if the rod doesn’t exist. It’s just you and the fish. Therein lies the addiction. That’s why “fly guys” have a glassy look when getting ready to hit the water. They know that soon they are going to be able to feed their addiction and they really don’t want anyone or anything getting in the way. OK, I’m kidding… or maybe not.
Seriously, fly fishing is really not that complicated. It’s just another way to deliver a lure to a fish. It takes time and effort so it’s a good idea to seek out lessons if you are serious about the sport. It’s very easy to develop bad casting habits right off the bat and a good instructor will nip that in the bud. There are quite a few shops in our area that cater to fly fishing but my favorite is Lehr’s Economy Tackle in North Fort Myers. They’ll take the time to answer your questions and will work to set you up with the proper equipment to do the job.
I still remember my first fish on fly. It was a smallmouth bass that weighed just over a pound. It ran me up and down the stream and fought incredibly well for its size. It made fishing fun again. I was addicted.
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