Fly Fishing For Men And Women

Fly fishing was once viewed as a sport for men. This may be due in part to the early elitist status of the sport. Even nostalgia tends to favor the masculine involvement in fly fishing. However, fly fishing is now appropriately recognized as a great sport fishing option for men and women alike. In fact, estimates are that there are well over one million women who now participate in fly fishing. Some estimates are that women now account for 15-20% of modern fly fishers.

Interestingly, the first book on fly fishing ever published was written by a woman. Dame Juliana Berners published A Treatyse of Fysshynge wyth an Angle in 1496. Berners is reported to have been a nun and noblewoman. Berners certainly must have tied and fished her own artificial flies. There are equally influential women involved in fly fishing today.

There is a growing market catering to fly fishing for women. Some outfitters are dedicated to teaching women to fly fish while other outfitters report that the number of women participating in fly fishing classes routinely outnumbers men. Fishing clubs for women are also becoming quite popular, particularly around popular fly fishing areas.

Fly fishing does not normally require a lot of physical strength. Fly fishing is far more about speed, finesse and style. Women actually do quite well at fly fishing.

The catch-and-release ethos so prevalent in fly fishing may be appealing to many women as well. While traditional fishing often closely resembled hunting trips with the objective being to bring home food, sport fishing activities like fly fishing often are more about the thrill of the catch. Photos and great memories are frequently the only thing brought home from fly fishing trips. The fish often stay right where they are. Many fly fishers even use barbless hooks now to make catch-and-release fishing even easier.

Fly fishing provides a great opportunity to get out in nature without having to kill anything. There are certainly women who fish to catch supper but many people, both men and women, enjoy fly fishing because of the opportunity it provides to get in touch with nature. Fly fishing is a very relaxing sport but also provides good exercise at the same time. The rhythm of the cast is soothing for many people. Fly fishing also provides opportunities to see a variety of wildlife and birdlife in their natural environment. The scenic backdrops around many fly fishing destinations are also simply incredible.

Fly fishing clubs and groups provide social networking opportunities and camaraderie. Men and women both enjoy these benefits. With the advent of specialty, women-only fishing clubs and groups many women are finding a home with fly fishing.

Manufacturers are also recognizing the significant increase in participation by women. Women can now buy waders that are actually designed for women - rather than relying on the closest mens size they can find. Fly fishing rods are also now being designed with women in mind. Womens fly rods are designed to be somewhat lighter and to have smaller handles. These improvements are good news for all women who enjoy the fly fishing sport.

Fly fishing is a great sport for everyone - men and women, adults and children. Everyone can enjoy a day out fly fishing.

Fly Fishing Supplies

Besides the obvious supplies of rods and reels, there are really a lot of other supplies you should have in your fly fishing arsenal. It can make the difference between a great fishing trip and a so-so fishing trip when you have a variety of products at your disposal. So what types of supplies will you need to have on hand?

To begin with, you should have an ample supply of flies. When you are out on a river or stream, you will want to match the food source that is readily available to the fish. They are much more likely to bite when they recognize their normal food as opposed to anything else. When you have several flies available, you can adapt depending on what types of insects you see on your particular stretch of water.

You will also want to have a supply of different lines that you can use. Different lines are adaptable to different types of weather as well as different types of casting. If you have some particularly windy weather, you will want to change your line to adapt to the conditions and make your casting more productive.

Apparel is part of the fly fishing experience, and you’ll want to get the right supplies that will best match your situation. Vests, for example, are almost necessary for the avid fly fisherman. Fly fishing vests come with lots of pockets for you to hold your supplies in and have easy access to them at the same time.

Where can you get your fly fishing supplies? The outlets are everywhere. You can start with your local sporting goods store to find different brands and suggestions for various supplies. If you have a local specialty fishing store, these can be excellent places to get your fly fishing supplies. The people in these stores are also very knowledgeable in the sport and they can make suggestions as to what you should be carrying with you.

The Internet is probably the widest and most diverse place to shop for your fly fishing supplies. You have literally thousands of places that sell equipment for fly fishermen including fly tying supplies, various pre-made flies, lines, and apparel. Just do a quick search on your favorite search engine for fly fishing supplies and be amazed at the amount of resources that are at your fingertips!

Be creative when looking for fly fishing supplies. Ask other fly fishermen, talk online, and utilize the resources of fly fishing organizations. Once you begin amassing your supplies, you’ll be surprised at how addictive it can be!

Fly Fishing In Popular Culture

Fly fishing is an ancient style of fishing that has become an important part of popular culture. Images of fly fishing gear often evoke powerful emotions in the viewer.

Fly fishing was practiced at least as early as the 2nd century by Macedonian anglers; however, some argue that fly fishing may have originated even earlier with the Chinese.

Little is known of the development of fly fishing from the 2nd century through the end of the 15th century. The English publication of a book in 1496 detailing dozens of artificial fly designs suggests that the sport was kept active during this period though. Fly fishing continued to grow in popularity for some time in England, Scotland, Scandinavia and the United States. However, the sport eventually came to be viewed as an elitist sport, in part due to the high cost of fly fishing gear. Early fly rods were crafted from a tropical wood and later from bamboo. Both types of rods were expensive. By the 1920s interest in fly fishing in the United States had peaked.

Following World War II, fly fishing interest increased in the United States again. The introduction of fiberglass fly fishing rods, monofilament leaders, and synthetic line all served to lower the cost of fly fishing gear. Fly fishing interest in the United States was once again on the rise. Many of our fathers and grandfathers were fly fishermen of this era, and the overall respect that is given that generation in American culture may be reason enough to explain the enduring strength of fly fishing in popular culture.

Over the years Western fly fishing has emerged with its own cultural image. This may be due to several factors, including the American romanticizing of Western culture in general along with some brilliant marketing by early Western fly fishing entrepreneurs. The Western American cultural image of fly fishing is inextricably linked with horses, wide-brimmed hats, and leather apparatus. Western-clad fly fishers wading a rocky river while horses graze nearby on the aspen-lined shore is a powerful picture that transports most of us to a place we want to be. Whether the image is completely rooted in reality is not important.

Consider how many images designed to communicate masculinity feature fly fishing gear. Artists and graphic designers know that fly fishing images are a powerful way to communicate masculinity - whether attempting to speak to men or to speak about men.

Even those who have not held a fly rod in years are powerfully impacted by the image of a fly rod or a fly fishing scene. The picture instantly transports people back in time. Fly fishing is so deeply embedded in the American culture that a single picture can take us back to childhood or transport us to a far away place. In this place the world seems right again; everything is once again as it should be.

Fly fishing is an important part of popular American culture. Images of fly fishing abound in movies, magazines, books and homes. Even an image of fly fishing apparatus communicates powerfully to many Americans. Fly fishing is an important part of American popular culture and history.

Fly Fishing With Orvis

Orvis is one of the most well-known names in the sport of fly fishing. They are the oldest mail order company in the United States and have been catering to their customers since 1856! Orvis does have other products beside fly fishing equipment, but all of their products do cater to people who have a love of the outdoors.

The biggest product line at Orvis is fly fishing gear and clothing. Their extensive collection of fly rods puts any other company to shame. They carry virtually everything a fly fisher needs from fly tying supplies to pre-made flies to vests and lines.

When you visit their website at www.orvis.com, you will find almost everything you could ever imagine for fly fishing supplies. If you’re interested in accessories, they’ve got it all. They even carry specialty sunglasses designed especially for fly fishers.

Orvis has a popular and well-known fishing school. Classes are conducted all over the United States in some of the most popular fly fishing spots. You learn all types of fishing techniques as well as casting and how to find the most fish in the waters you are fishing.

Orvis also offers some great fly fishing trips all over the world for people who visit their website. They are such a big name in the fly fishing industry, they take the time to research various destinations and lodges to give them their endorsement as worthy of their quality. You can trust Orvis when they suggest you stay in a specific lodge.

But Orvis also offers you much more. Their website has instructional articles that can help any fly fisher – both the novice and the experienced. They give a glossary of terms for beginners; tell you how to choose a fly line, and other helpful information like how to sharpen a hook.

You can even watch instructional videos on their website. These videos highlight everything from their product lines to endorsed guides and outfitters. You can learn about various fly rods, different types of waders, and tips on the best lines to choose.

Want to learn how to tie different knots? Orvis offers animated instruction in their fly fishing store that will guide you step by step. You can even post a question for their fly fishing experts.

Orvis is truly a full-service fly fishing company with a lot to offer. You’ll find so many products and so much information when you both go to their website and order their catalog. They are very trusted in the fly fishing industry. When you get fly fishing supplies from Orvis, you can be assured you are getting quality equipment from a company you can rely on.

Fly Fishing Lodges

When you are going on a fly fishing trip away from your home, one of the best parts can be staying in a lodge in a rustic setting that only adds to the adventure. Many fly fishing lodges are found in remote areas, but many have the amenities that can make your stay more than enjoyable.

Some people like to camp when they are on a fly fishing destination trip, but with the advent of new resort-like lodges that are springing up in popular fly fishing spots, there’s no reason why you should have to sleep on the cold ground and cook your food over an open fire – well, unless you really want to! After a day on the water, it can be nice to take a hot shower and sit down to a hot meal that you don’t have to cook!

Fly fishing lodges also offer other great perks to its guests. They often provide trained guides who can lead you to the best fishing waters as well as tips and tricks on how to maximize your fishing time. Many have been in business for a very long time and know all of the ins and outs of the area. It can save you a lot of time and money when you book a stay at a quality fly fishing lodge.

Many places we’ve researched pride themselves on their service mentality. By that we mean they often don’t have more than a few guests staying in their lodge at any one time so their staff can give you personalized attention. This can be a special treat when you are on vacation!

When choosing a lodge for your fly fishing vacation, be sure to check them out before booking. Most places have a website where you can see pictures of the cabins and read about what they have to offer. Are they rated by any travel companies? The higher the rating, the better quality you will get when checking in.

Many fly fishing lodges are located in remote areas that can only be reached by planes or trains – especially if you are looking into Alaska. The good part about booking a trip with a lodge is that they will provide transportation to and from the lodge as well transportation to the best spots on the nearby waters for you to fish.

Fly fishing lodges are great places to enjoy both the place you are visiting as well as getting the best locations to fish in. They know what they are talking about at these lodges and will go out of their way to make you happy. If you are planning a fly fishing vacation, definitely try to book a lodge – your trip will be amazing!