What is fly fishing?
The Art of Deception
Fly fishing is a unique angling method where the weight of the line—not a heavy lure—is used to cast a lightweight, artificial “fly” to catch fish. It’s a sport that blends rhythm, strategy, and a deep connection with the natural world.
The Core Difference: It’s All in the Cast
To understand fly fishing, it’s best to compare it with conventional spin fishing. The fundamental difference lies in what part of the equipment provides the casting weight.
🎣 Conventional (Spin) Fishing
The weight of a heavy lure or bait pulls a thin, lightweight line off the reel during the cast.
Rod → Thin Line → Heavy Lure
Weight is at the end
🦋 Fly Fishing
The weight of a thick, heavy line is used to cast a nearly weightless artificial fly through the air.
Rod → Heavy Line → Lightweight Fly
Weight is in the line
The Essential Gear
Fly fishing equipment is a balanced system. Each part works with the others to allow for a graceful and effective cast. Click on each component below to learn about its role.
Click a Component
Select a piece of gear from the list to see its description here. This will help you understand how each part contributes to the whole system.
The Quarry
Fly fishing can be used to target a vast range of species in both freshwater and saltwater. Below are some of the most popular targets. Use the buttons to filter by environment.
The Artificial Fly
The “fly” is the heart of the deception. These are hand-tied creations made of hair, feathers, and synthetic materials to imitate the natural food sources of fish. They fall into several main categories.
Dry Flies
These flies are designed to float on the water’s surface, imitating adult insects like mayflies, caddisflies, or midges. This is often considered the classic form of fly fishing, as the angler can see the fish rise and take the fly.