Why do you fly fish?

[tomfly]

Fly fishing has become a 750 million dollar a year industry in the US alone and the dollars keep flowing in. From Chess to full contact fighting and every sport in-between, there has been more written on the subject of fly fishing then any other sport. With all that information available, you would think all that is learnable has been taught on the subject. Every year there is more written. They all have a different way that is believed to be the correct way to achieve same goal. You can ascertain most of what is written on the subject is inconclusive at best. Until someone proves otherwise you can conclude that there is no wrong way to fly fish. But we keep reading the literature that is dangled like a carrot on a stick to get an edge. Why does one spend so much time, expense, education, and effort dedicated to an activity that can only place a smile on your face?

Why do you fly fish?

A simple question with a multitude of various complexities to consider. I have pondered this question over the years. I have come up with a variety of answers over that time frame. All have falling short of the true reason why I cater to this obsession. I think I have an answer but before I do. I want to hear what you believe to be the reason why?

 

[Wbranch]

But we keep reading the literature that is dangled like a carrot on a stick to get an edge.

Maybe many fly fishers continue to read the drivel that new fly fishing authors are paraphrasing from the guys who really pioneered the sport like Joe Brooks, AJ McClane, Art Flick, and a few other notables. Admittedly there have been quite a few innovations over the last five decades that are interesting and may have put a few more fish into our nets. However after reading quite a few of the available fly fishing books that were around when I started to fly fish I doubt I have read another fly fishing book in over forty years. This is not a very hard activity in which to become adept. It really isn't rocket science.

Practice to be able to cast 30' accurately. Learn a few special casts, learn what it means to mend the line and when to, or not to, do it. Learn where trout like to eat, rest, hide. Learn about the insect and aquatic life in the rivers you fish. Become comfortable with your rod, line, leaders. Educate yourself on what flies you will need to fish wherever you choose to fish. Stop depending so much on what the Internet forums can tell you about what, when, and how to fish and get off the computer and start exploring the areas where you want to fish to find a few places where you can practice and enjoy the day.

I used to go up to the Beaverkill and Willowemoc pretty much every weekend I could get away from an earlier marriage. I even went in the hot summer and would fish from dawn until it got hot. The I would take my waders off and just start driving all over Sullivan and Delaware counties following the upper and lower BK and Willowemoc. Running up to DeBruce, driving over the mountain to the upper Neversink. Drive over the mountain to Hankins. That is how I found places to fish.

Unfortunately with the tremendous growth in the popularity of fly fishing in the mid 1970's and forward many, many parking places that I used to access the river have long ago been posted. Many of the postings came about because guys were slobs and indifferent to where they were walking and what they were doing, i.e. taking a leak within view of a home, leaving litter on private property, acting loud and stupid. Property owners got tired of this very quickly and before I knew it many of my access points were posted. As we all know quite a few of the postings came as a result of the big outfitters not only posting their property which they have every right to do but some had other land owners along the rivers post there property to even further exclude wading anglers from fishing.

 

[WBDluver]

I flyfish because i got into it because i love top water action and it was eaiser for me to catch fish than with a spinning rod. I love to be in the outdoors. Thats it.. No spiritual soul replenishing blah blah blah. Its fun and relaxing to me and thats why i do it.

 

[snjchef]

I enjoy the outdoors, and I enjoy the simplicity of the sport. A good cigar and a stream is all I need to enjoy the day

Saltwater fishing, I pay for fuel, bait, slip fees, storage fees, food, repairs, and the list go on. Now I think about it I need to sell the damn boat! :crap:

 

[cocopelao]

It's simple but it's challenging and if you want to be successful when the fish are not biting, it also gets complex. However, even if you do not catch a thing, it's rewarding to be outdoors enjoying the beauty of nature.

I would like to know your source that fly fishing is the most written about sport in history. I don't believe that.

 

[FIN-ITE 34]

I could tell you why I fly fish but then I'd have to pay you all a fee for being my shrink.

 

[lightenup]

It's fun!!!!!!

 

[tomfly]

It's fun!!!!!!

Short and to the point.

 

[MACFLY]

I flyfish because i got into it because i love top water action and it was eaiser for me to catch fish than with a spinning rod. I love to be in the outdoors. Thats it.. No spiritual soul replenishing blah blah blah. Its fun and relaxing to me and thats why i do it.

Of course it's not soul replenishing for you. You have no soul you soulless boob

 

[tomfly]

Of course it's or soul replenishing for you. You have no soul you soulless boob

Answer the question. Or is it above your pay grade?

 

[Rusty Spinner]

The reason I first got into fly fishing and why I still do it 43 years later have likely changed. But when I was 7, it was fun to try to coax a big bluegill or bass to eat my small poppers. Nothing Zen like or ethereal or soul searching.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[moosekid]

new fly fishing authors are paraphrasing from the guys who really pioneered the sport like Joe Brooks, AJ McClane, Art Flick, and a few other notables.

it appears he's familiar with GB Mag

 

[Wbranch]

Who, or what, is a GB Mag? Does it, or he, profess to be notable?

 

[tomfly]

it appears he's familiar with GB Mag

Moosey: for once lets refrain from going off topic. If you don't want to answer the question that is ok.. I am asking you nicely don't hijack the thread. If you want to promote GB Mag start a new topic.

 

[MACFLY]

Answer the question. Or is it above your pay grade?

I fish because it makes me happy. It always has and it's likely it always will. I fish the Delaware because it pisses off CDUMB which in turn make me happy....see how that works��

 

[lightenup]

I fish because it makes me happy. It always has and it's likely it always will. I fish the Delaware because it pisses off CDUMB which in turn ,ales me happy....see how that works

HAHAHA...I was just about to answer, I fly fish anyway I can to piss off cdun....that is my goal...

 

[tomfly]

I fish because it makes me happy. It always has and it's likely it always will. I fish the Delaware because it pisses off CDUMB which in turn ,ales me happy....see how that works

That is a new angle, I do it to piss someone off.

 

[lightenup]

That is a new angle, I do it to piss someone off.

maybe not as new as you think...there are some bitter people out there....
and fly fishermen, when I grew up spin fishing were one of the bitterest bunch of tight lipped boobs I have ever seen..

 

[moosekid]

Moosey: for once lets refrain from going off topic. If you don't want to answer the question that is ok.. I am asking you nicely don't hijack the thread. If you want to promote GB Mag start a new topic.

I wasn't trying to hijack the thread, so much as make a joke at Beetle's expense.

I've been under the impression that making fun of Beetle is acceptable in any thread -- and I think many here will back me up on that.

In any event, fly fishing is a skill i've been working on since I was around 11 but I've only recently become obsessed in the past 3 years. I think it has a lot to do with living in Brooklyn and needing an excuse to get out of the city. When I figured out I could take the train up and fish the Croton System it was like a switch went off. I started bouncing every weekend -- even in the winter. I even put my bike on NJ Transit to High Bridge and biked to the KLG a few times...Saved up, bought the sickest three thousand dollar '93 Bronco that three thousand dollars could buy and that red bastard can make it to the catskills and back (sometimes). It's also fun to catch more fish than LU.

PS. fracking is gay, and jesus is fake

 

[lightenup]

I wasn't trying to hijack the thread, so much as make a joke at Beetle's expense.

I've been under the impression that making fun of Beetle is acceptable in any thread -- and I think many here will back me up on that.

In any event, fly fishing is a skill i've been working on since I was around 11 but I've only recently become obsessed in the past 3 years. I think it has a lot to do with living in Brooklyn and needing an excuse to get out of the city. When I figured out I could take the train up and fish the Croton System it was like a switch went off. I started bouncing every weekend -- even in the winter. I even put my bike on NJ Transit to High Bridge and biked to the KLG a few times...Saved up, bought the sickest three thousand dollar '93 Bronco that three thousand dollars could buy and that red bastard can make it to the catskills and back (sometimes). It's also fun to catch more fish than LU.

PS. fracking is gay, and jesus is fake

I'm happy that catching more fish on power bait than I do on flies makes you feel good. ..now read my signature bitch!!

 

[Wbranch]

and jesus is fake

It is not nice to say that. While I'm typically not one to proselytize regarding religion I find that comment offensive. Your success in fly fishing might improve if you would refrain from sharing your thoughts so freely on a public forum.

 

[moosekid]

It is not nice to say that. While I'm typically not one to proselytize regarding religion I find that comment offensive. Your success in fly fishing might improve if you would refrain from sharing your thoughts so freely on a public forum.

WBranch,

Since Tomfly asked me not to hi-jack the thread, I jokingly threw in some statements at the end of my post that would encourage tangential conversations. You took the bait.

ps. I don't support the troops.

^^ (another example of me jokingly saying something that is CERTAIN to offend somone and sidetrack the conversation. these are not my opinions or beliefs, just things I know will stir the pot on NEFF)

 

[FIN-ITE 34]

It is not nice to say that. While I'm typically not one to proselytize regarding religion I find that comment offensive. Your success in fly fishing might improve if you would refrain from sharing your thoughts so freely on a public forum.

He was referring to A.J.Miller the fake jesus. Notice he even spelled jesus with a lower case j.
We all know that the Moosekid loves the baby Jesus and would never say anything to the contrary.

B.T.W. Nothing could help improve the success of Moosekids fly fishing, not even if the baby Jesus was sitting on his shoulder like St Christopher.

I know, there was no St Christopher.

 

[Wbranch]

I am well aware of the accidental, or intentional, omission of the capital "J".

I jokingly threw in some statements at the end of my post that would encourage tangential conversations. You took the bait.

I guess my naïveté is showing.

Our definitions of humor differ significantly.

When I go out on the river it is very rewarding spiritually, maybe that is why I often catch large trout.

Just sayin'

 

[tomfly]

I have pondered this question off and on. What drive this obsession inside me. I enjoy fly fishing but I also enjoy other activities that I am not enamored by. So the enjoyment is not it. Some say like dluver stated . It fuels your soul; the spiritual aspect. I indulged the spirituality for a brief period in that “Shaman of Fly fishing” stage. That doesn’t account for all the time money and effort that spent perfecting this sport. A Note: Act like the Shaman of Fly fishing on the stream and others will avoid you. And there is the feed you ego aspect. I look good so I feel good so I must fish good. Well that speaks for it’s self. Then there is I fish because of the challenge of it. You can do an advanced crossword puzzles that would be far less expensive. The list is endless on what justifies the driving force behind the madness.

I have been out of action for a few months. My thumb has not responded the way it should have. I might need a second surgery to release scar tissue. I will know next week. My wife equates behavior to a drug addict that can’t get a fix. I can’t tie files or fish. I have had a good amount of time away from work as well. Having days off without fishing is throwing salt into the wound. My off season routine of tying flies, I have not been able do. I am accustomed getting up on Saturday and sitting in front of the vise for a few hours. Everything has changed radically. It is easy when you decide not to fish or tie flies. When it is taken away from you abruptly, it is hard to deal with. So anyway I needed to soul search on why I was acting the way I was. It is strange the way life works, when you take something for granted and it is stripped away form you without your control. You get perspective rather quickly. It is hard to keep occupied when you physically lost the use of one hand for an extended amount of time. It is cabin fever squared. Like I said you gain perspective quickly. I realized why I have the obsession with this sport, now that it has been taken away from me.

This is what I believe at least from my point of view. What drives this obsession to dedicate so much time effort and funding that none of us has immunity to. I asked myself what causes the obsession. It is not an ego thing. It is not a Zen thing. It is definitely not, I want to be the best fly fishermen in the world thing. It is not I rather do it then listen to my wife thing. It is not a numbers thing, at least if you are not a guide. We are all fool into a belief it is all of the above and more. It is not the writers, sellers, marketers, shows or the guides fooling us into believing why we are obsessed with spending our money time and effort to catch a fish on a fly. The perpetrator is our own psyche. When a fly fisherman is stripped of his projected self image (his armor) and has become a shadow of his or her former self. He or she is just standing exposed as an average person with a fly rod and a fly. The fly will be casted without hesitation. So you can dismantle the notion that ones ego and or narcissism drives that person to take the cast. The true answer at least for me is; Every time we pick up that rod. Every cast that is taken. Every time there is deviation in presentation. Each time we change a fly, weight or leader length. We ask a question. Not in a literal sense. It is completely in subconscious form. We are oblivious that we are asking this question that must be answered. It is in the preparation of asking this question and the response that is sought is where the obsession lies.

 

[moosekid]

Our definitions of humor differ significantly.

....the jokes i could make with a setup like this....

i'll send you a PM as it truly was not my intention to take this thread in a different direction.

 

[MACFLY]

....the jokes i could make with a setup like this....

i'll send you a PM as it truly was not my intention to take this thread in a different direction.

Say a dozen Hail Marys and try not to be a boob in the future.

 

[lightenup]

Is Wbranch a real person? I mean, he kinda' seems like a fly fishing super hero.....

and I don't mean that in a bad way.......

 

[golden beetle]

Who, or what, is a GB Mag? Does it, or he, profess to be notable?

This is pretty good stuff...

Would you consider writing a column with Moose?

 

[golden beetle]

....the jokes i could make with a setup like this....

i'll send you a PM as it truly was not my intention to take this thread in a different direction.

Nobody doubts your credibility.

ps - I don't support the troops either.