What’s So Good About Fly Fishing? (Here’s My Take)

If you’re wondering what’s so good about fly fishing because your loved one takes every opportunity to go out and fish, I can try and help you have a better appreciation for it.

If you have friends or family who go fly fishing you’ve probably heard them talking about it with passion and enthusiasm.

There are some huge communities of dedicated fly fishing enthusiasts. It’s the kind of hobby or sport that really gets a hold of people once they start.

Everyone has their own reasons and things they enjoy about fly fishing, but here are some of the key reasons most people end up falling in love with it as a hobby and why you should consider giving it a try yourself if you haven’t already:

It’s Mentally Stimulating

If you haven’t been fly fishing get all those images of people sitting on the side of a bank half asleep waiting for a bite out of your head.

Fly fishing takes a lot more thought and skill than regular fishing and it’s a skill that has a steep learning curve at first.

You’ll see yourself how much better you get over time as your knowledge grows, as well as how much more successful experienced fly fishers,  are.

It comes more naturally with repetition but it’s definitely a thinking man’s game. Don’t let this put you off though, you can take it at your own pace.

You’re Outdoors!

One of the main reasons anyone goes fishing is because they love the outdoors, right?

As we become more and more tied to electronic devices, our emails, and things like this, it means more and feels great to be away from all of this and enjoying some outdoor activities.

Finding new and interesting places to fish is just as exciting as fly fishing itself sometimes. Make the most of the time you get outdoors, it’s something most of us don’t get enough of.

It’s Great Exercise (If you want it to be)

Fly fishing can be a great form of exercise too if you want to get a workout in while fishing.

First of all, wading through running water is tough. As well as hiking to the spot you’re going to be fishing from.

Secondly, swinging the fishing rod for long periods isn’t as easy as it sounds. You’ll really feel it the first few times until you work those swinging muscles.

It’s Challenging and Rewarding

Who doesn’t like a challenge and the sense of reward when they achieve something they’ve worked hard for?

As I mentioned in a previous point it’s not something that you can just pick up and be good at right away.

There is a steep learning curve at first learning about all the different techniques and trying to get that perfect swing.

But the more you practice and the better you do the more rewarding it is as you start getting better catches.

There is a reason so many people boast about the size of their biggest catch. Because it’s really difficult, takes skill, patience, and practice.

Things I Wish I Knew Before I Started Fly Fishing

I thought I’d cover a few of the things that came as a surprise to me when I started fly fishing that might help some beginners be a little more prepared:

It’s Important to Know How to Tie Knots

Tying knots that will not let you down is really important when fly fishing. It’s worth practicing a few different knots at home and getting these perfected so you don’t waste time when you’re fishing.

Casting Takes Practice

Like all things, casting for fly fishing takes practice. Be prepared to invest hours into the craft over the duration of your first few trips before you start to get the hang of it. Most importantly, don’t give up or get deterred.

It Doesn’t Need to be Expensive

Fishing gear ranges from cheap used equipment or budget items that won’t break the bank, to the sky’s the limit.

When starting out you’ll do just fine with a cheaper rod, reel, and fly set until you know you’re going to take it more seriously.

Do Your Research Before Choosing a Location

You can’t just start fly fishing wherever you think there are trout, salmon, carp, or whatever you’re after.

Not only will you likely need a license, but you also need to understand how to ‘read’ the water and choose locations where the fish are most likely to be.