Fly Fishing: A Popular Blog Topic

During the recent past, I visited a bunch of fishing blogs, as it's important to occasionally assess yourself amongst similar others, regardless of your craft. It was an interesting exercise, mainly because much of the intrigue of fishing is how open it is to interpretation. Along the way, this post about fly fishing caught me eye. It's from a really nice blog called AnglerWise, which is worth visiting for anyone interested in light-tackle fishing. 

The post, cleverly titled The Lure of Fly Fishing, provides a clear and simple, yet concise identification of fly fishing as a particular style of angling. Although some moderately technical terms are used, the post paints a picture anyone can understand. AnglerWise accurately explains how “Simply being in nature; waiting, listening, thinking, hoping are all parts of the magic of fishing.” Fly fishing is always a deserving topic of discussion and is well described within the post It's truly a poignant example of a culture within a culture. I've always appreciated the diversity in means and methods to catch fish, particularly between fly fishing and "conventional" angling. There is an artistic uniqueness to fly fishing, and an interesting history behind it.

According to AnglerWise, “there is one style which is the finest example of fishing: Fly fishing. Though complicated, it is an art that when learned, opens the door to the truest of fishing thrills.” I totally agree. Many times, I’ve seen how effective fly fishing can be in certain conditions and/or environments. Usually, when I'm stream-side with my 5’ ultralight rod and Penn Spinfisher SSG reel, throwing black rooster tails tied to four pound test, any fly fishermen nearby tend to draw more attention from the fish. Also, there's this old timer that frequents the beach near my dad's house, who trudges out to the sandbar in his chest waders during the outgoing tide, finesses his fly tackle—and ROUTINELY lands more stripers than any of his bait-casting neighbors on boats or adjacent piers.

You see, I AM a fisherman, and over the years—a handful of women have said I'm "fly", but I'm definitely not a fly fisherman. Still, I've learned much about its practice from older relatives, and am fortunate to have seen it in action. Although there are MANY approaches to angling, fly fishing is truly in a league of its own. It’s an entirely different approach than conventional fishing, and is rich in its own culture. As Anglerwise put it, "Watching a fly fisherman in a stream working the fly line back in forth over his target is like looking at a painting in a museum."

In life, a good way to appreciate something is to have respect for it. For me, fly fishing is a prime example. I don't practice it often, but it's always held my curiosity, and the post on AnglerWise rejuvenated my interest in it. Actually, while writing this post, I gradually began to realize that part of my retirement plan may indeed be unfolding before me.

Fishing Leads to Catching-Not Always Keeping

As a catch and release advocate, I’m always in favor of respecting fishing regulations specific to the region/area that applies. Unfortunately, I’ve personally experienced far too many situations where another fisherman, or more appropriately: a person fishing, purposely keeps young or obviously spawning fish, without regard for the law. Also, ignorance is by no means a viable excuse in this matter, as numerous signs are posted at known fishing spots, listing the appropriate standards. 

Surely, the U.S. is a massive cultural melting-pot. Diligent working-class peoples from other nations may have learned different (maritime/inland) environmental regulations than we know domestically. Still, if someone can acquire a job, attain a driver’s license, and maneuver throughout American society as a whole, he or she can recognize and ABIDE BY fishing regulations that are publicly posted. 

Everyone is different and there is no ONE standard perspective, but ultimately there must be an authoritative environmental presence that not only appears in times of need, but is idealized in the minds of all those fishing, as a force to be reckoned with, which causes us ALL to check ourselves. Regardless of which U.S. states I’ve fished in (which are many), I’ve seldom personally experienced groups of organized officials with proper funding and training who embody recognizable potential to lead a game-changing, innovative mission of fisheries preservation. 

We need to realize that we're all playing catch-up when it comes to fish population management worldwide. It is an important issue that can only succeed if people begin to take personal responsibility. Ask yourself this: regardless of species or region-do you think it's EVER the case that on a Tuesday, there are more fish in existence than there were on Monday? Of course not. Therefore, it is a harsh reality that must be addressed. Otherwise, your great grandchildren will have to go fishing at the local virtual reality arcade.