Commander Bell Loc: Lafayette Indiana

Hello stagers,
I'm quite a learned person when it comes to many things, but am a complete dunce when it comes to Fly Fishing.
I will admit that I have never tried it and it looks like a lot of hard work to obtain the same results as a bait casting or spinning reel.
From what I've seen you don't reel in the line, but instead you pull it and let the excess dangle and float in the water.
Please understand I'm not trying to be sarcastic here, but Inquiring Minds Want To Know.
Please explain to me the concept and the why of Fly Fishing.
I wish to thank you in advance for this learning opportunity.
Commander Bell out

Flytier Loc: Wilmington Delaware

Fish eat bugs. Bugs don't weigh much.

Bcmech1 Loc: Clinton Wisconsin

As Flytier said, bugs don't weigh much. In fly fishing you actually cast the line as the lure weighs next to nothing, even an ultra light spinning rod and reel with 2 lb test line could not cast a fly.

HolyGhost Fishing Services Loc: FAYETTEVILLE, NC

Flying is about presenting a imitation bait to a fish of its food selection. The baits range from the life cycle of aquatic insects and baitfish to terrestrials foods like wasps, birds, spiders. Fly tying is about creating a silmilar image of the food sourses that the fish eats. Does not have to look dead on because they are seeing a blurred images so they say. Casting is an art. You cast by loading the rod with a compatable sized heavy line called the flyline with a leader from 4ft to 12ft long generally and a short section called the Tippett in which the fly is tied on. It has about four or more phases based on how deep you want to go in general casting. Pick up, loading, back casting and foward cast, and shooting line. During the forward cast once near complete you will do what they call shoot the line so it can go to the tended target. Orvis has good videos on youtube and Joan Wolf has some great ones as well. Her technics are a little diffrent but she won many contest against guys. The ajohn E Pechman center in Fayetteville NC teaching really affordable classes on fly tying and casting. Located across the street from Lake rim on old Raeford rd. It is on The NC wildlife site. I volunteered their for about 4yrs.

No one special

Wow. This question is a lot deeper than one may think. While "HolyGhost Fishing Services" explains the technical part extremely well, I feel there may be a lot more to it than the technical side. Why does one cook a turkey dinner when a few balogna (baloney?) sandwiches will fill you up just as well? Why fix up a home when a shack can keep you just as warm and dry? Some people (I'm not one of them) prefer to fly fish. They prefer to wade a stream rather than sit in a boat and jig for bass. Many prefer to tie their own flies to outsmart their prey. It is how they find pleasure. US fly fishing was invented in the Catskill streams around Roscoe, NY (Trout Town USA) near me. There are still parts of the Beaverkill where it is artificials only (no live bait) and barbless hooks only. And it is catch and release only. Why do many fisherman choose to fish like this? Each person may have his own reasons and none of them are wrong. Hook into a lunker and play him until you net him and you may like this too. Or maybe not. There is no right answer. Some people ask why waste time fishing when you can buy fish and spend your time playing golf or going to a ballgame or look for antiques, etc. Thank God we don't all think alike and live in a country that allows us to enjoy ourselves as we see fit. Or maybe I'm all wrong. What do I know?

charlykilo Loc: Garden Valley Ca

Same frustration level as Golf, bit wetter most of the time.

djpritchard Loc: Venice Florida

Believe or not I find it more relaxing than spin or bait casting, and honestly, the more thought I put in to it, I still struggle to document in writing as to why that is. As I feel it more challenging, and therefore for me, more satisfying. And the satisfaction is amplified whe it’s a fly pattern that I’ve created. I think it’s some combination of my tying and the fact thet I’ve “deceived” the prey (anyone out there ever heard of a Lefty’s Deciever?). And this is even amplified more when done in salt water as opposed to generally smaller prey, in freshwater

Just saying!!!

Cougarbaby Loc: Cheswick pa

As a fly guy my whole life the best advice I would give anyone is find someone to show you the ropes that’ll save you 10s and 10s of hrs of aggravation find a local fly shop sign up for a class or sign up for a trip with a professional fly guide on a creek or river the latter would be best

Richard B trout Loc: woodbridge ct

I have not picked up a fly rod in 50 years but am going to try it again this year.
Even small trout are fun on a light rod and line.

drifter023 Loc: So,Calif.

I have a fly rod that I like but really did not like fly fishing just me converted to a lite weight jig rod added an extended handle and a small reel. Works great for trout and pan fish nothing wrong with fly fishing just not for all of us.

Flytier Loc: Wilmington Delaware

One of the best things about fly fishing is it almost forces you to relax. It's nearly impossible to cast a fly well if your up tight.

Uncle_T Loc: Georgia

Yes but what about reeling the fly line in or pulling it in however it is done, I think that myself and the Commander understand that it’s presenting a lure that weighs almost nothing, but how do you work the rod and the reel when a fish bites?
I seen a guy catch a 20 pound stripe on a fly rod once but I was on the other side of the river and it was dark so I couldn’t see how he worked the line,
I also know that fly reels have a drag,
So, how is it done?
Did I say it right Commander Bell ?

Bcmech1 Loc: Clinton Wisconsin

On smaller fish you just pinch the line against the rod with your finger and pull in the line with the other hand, then repinch the line keeping the line tight.
On larger fish, chances are it will take line and you probably will not be able to stop them. Let the fish get the line snug to the reel then just reel in like any other reel.

hwcbignfat Loc: Lake LBJ Marble falls Tx

Standing in a river trying to tie knots in line that I can no longer see, if successful and you don’t Pop the fly off casting or snagging a limb or your ear riverside
You might just catch really good Mackinaw or pike bait👍

ronengland

When the Bass in the local ponds refuse to take my offerings with my Bait Caster or Spinning Reels, I come back with my Fly rod. It always provides more action with the smaller Crappies, Blue Gills, and an occasional Bass. Just more fun and rewarding than getting frustrated with the heavier stuff.