When I first heard of fly fishing, I pictured elderly men in leather outback hats wearing gear-stuffed vests, standing in a river scoffing at the peasants using conventional rods and reels. Words like elitist, aristocratic, and snobby came to mind. I imagined fly fishing as a complex, intricate venture only suited to those with expert knowledge of fish, insects, and ecology.

I quickly learned this couldn’t be further from the truth (for the most part). Fly fishing can be as simple or as complex as you want it to be and is for anyone willing to take it on. Just like anything, fly fishing starts with unfamiliarity, at times frustration, and grows with experience. The further you pursue, the clearer you see it for what it truly is despite initial preconceptions. 

Here are a few things that I wish I knew when I started, all of which I still remind myself after years with a fly rod.

Fly Fishing is Fishing

At its core, fishing is about catching fish (duh). There are many ways to do that whether it be with nightcrawlers on a bobber, your favorite Texas-rigged worm, or with a fly. How you go about it is up to you but catching fish on a fly doesn’t automatically elevate you to the pinnacle of angling, it’s just another way to get a fish to bite. Some enjoy the challenge of the fly, others prefer more traditional methods and contrary to the snooty purists of fly fishing, that is just fine.

There is No Manual

There is so much good information out there on fly fishing it can be overwhelming. The intricacies of the sport can often cause new anglers to think that there is a certain way to go about it and going off the traditional prescribed methods is pointless and ineffective.

While there are certain techniques and details that will certainly help you catch fish and enjoy tour time on the water, there is no set of rules that restrict you to fish how other people fish. As you fish more, you acquire skills and knowledge that mold you into the type of angler you want to be. 

Time on the Water is More Important than Anything

You learn by doing. You can read, study, watch videos, until your eyes are glazed over, but nothing (and I mean nothing) can replace actually being out there fishing. 

Fly Fishing Can Take You to Amazing Places

John Gierach once wrote “The purpose of fly fishing isn’t to catch fish, it’s to go places where fish are caught.” Fish can be caught in many different places, and many of them are stunning. Fishing can take you beautiful places whether it be a tranquil lake surrounded by forest, a river amongst cascading snow-capped mountains, or a stream meandering through the countryside.

The more you fish, the more you learn to appreciate your surroundings and connect with Mother Nature regardless of whether or not there is a fish at the end of your line.

Conclusion

Preconceptions change. Experience shapes how you fish, how well you fish, and ultimately what fishing means to you.

Knowing these things when you start fly fishing (or when you have years of experience) can help you not only catch fish, but also help you enjoy your time out on the water and serve as a constant reminder of what fly fishing really is.