Ok, I can’t believe I’m writing this. Do you want me to talk you into trying fly fishing? If you ask these sorts of questions, you aren’t the person I thought you were, and we can’t be friends.
Ah, alright, I’ll tell you. Why fly fish? Because it is amazing!
Today I’m going to give you plenty to think about, and then you’ll start pestering to come on a trip.
Let’s dive right in…
Table of Contents
Disclosure: At BonfireBob, we recommend products based on unbiased research, however, BonfireBob.com is reader-supported and as an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases if you shop through the links on this page. For more information, see disclosure here.
The Benefits of Fly Fishing – Why Fly Fish?
There are plenty of things that make fly fishing great. Some you may already know, and some may surprise you.
Here’s a quick list of reasons why you definitely need to give fly fishing a go!
It’s a Workout
Wait, what?
Fly fishing is a workout?
You bet your sweet rod it is! Unlike other fishing disciplines, fly fishing for trout is all about being mobile. You don’t sit there all day hoping a fish swims past. You are out and being active, trying to hunt them down.
You can easily walk several miles in a day when fly fishing. When you are wading through water, this is a really good leg workout.
And there’s more.
Fly fishing is super dynamic and active. If you aren’t casting and retrieving, you are doing something wrong. Your body will be in constant motion throughout the day. Go for a day fly fishing and tell me that you weren’t aching at the end of it.
It Gets Your Brain Going
Whenever I see fishermen sat there with a single bucket of bait, I die a little inside.
You see…
That’s all they’ve got going for them. Fly fishing… It’s different. If you haven’t caught in your first five minutes, it’s time to activate the cogs of that lump between your ears and think. Why?
Fly fishing is like a puzzle. When you make all the pieces fit, you catch a fish! You have to think like a fish to be successful. What are they eating? Where are they holed up? What are they looking for? These are all questions that run through your mind with every cast.
If it isn’t working, it’s time to change. What fly are you going to use? Do you need to cast further? What is your plan B, C, D, and even E? this is something that even spinning fishermen miss out on.
It’s Never Boring
Ever heard this saying…
“Variety is the spice of life”.
As we alluded to above, fly fishing is always about movement and changing things up. As a result, it is never boring. You’ll constantly be active all day, and it is often the case that when the day draws to a close, you’ll be wondering where you spent all of your time.
Oh well, have to come back another time then!
The beauty of fly fishing is that no two trips are ever the same. What works one day isn’t going to work the next. So, you will have to switch things up a little (or, in my case, a lot).
And…
I doubt you will get bored (with fly fishing, that’s impossible), but if you ever want a change, you can switch species to give yourself more of a challenge. If trout fishing has left you cold, wait until you give fly fishing for bass a go.
With fly fishing, there is always something that can be changed. Whether that is your fly, line, location, or gear, you’ll be forever moving towards that next horizon in your quest for a personal best!
It is a Sport
Alright, so you aren’t wearing sweatbands and patting your teammates on the back, but who cares about that. It is physical, requires thought and tactics, and there is always a clear winner and loser at the end of the day.
And let me tell you, the fish are winning the league by a significant amount.
You Connect with Nature
If you want to be more active outdoors, then fly fishing is definitely the sport for you!
As activities go, it lets you connect with nature like nothing else. There is something primal about fly fishing. You aren’t just observing nature. You are part of it. After all, you are doing your best to imitate something natural every time you cast your fly!
Depending on where you fish, you’ll find beauty and scenery in abundance. If you go to some remote destinations, there is a good chance that you might be the first person ever to see that particular stretch of river or lake.
You Can See the World
Fly fishing doesn’t stop within a 20-minute drive from your home. It opens up a huge range of opportunities to travel and see the world and experience new and exciting cultures along the way. Just when you think you’ve mastered your local lake, there might be somewhere a little further afield that offers a new challenge…
Then…
You are onto the next one and the one after that.
Different countries have different species and techniques. You haven’t known cold until you are stood up to your armpits in a stream in deepest, darkest Iceland!
This is a journey that never ends, my friends.
Harness Your Inner Caveman
This is one of the most truly beautiful things about fly fishing. You are fulfilling a primal urge that you probably didn’t know you had.
What do I mean?
Well, you are using your cunning, skill, and intellect as a hunter to fool something natural. Fly fishing isn’t feeding the fish’ bait’. It is casting an imitation (that you may have made yourself) created using your imagination.
And the best bit?
Depending on the species, you may be able to eat what you catch.
Catch it. Kill it. Cook it. Eat it.
It doesn’t get much more ‘caveman’ than that!
It is Great Value
There is a common misconception that fly fishing is expensive.
This couldn’t be further from the truth.
If you shop around, you can get some amazing deals on rod and reel combos. It is one of those sports where you can spend as much or as little as you like.
And here’s a little secret between you and me…
The fish absolutely don’t care whether you are fishing with a $2000 rod or a $20 rod. I’ve seen guys with the cheapest gear catch the biggest fish plenty of times!
If you are brand new to fishing and are looking for some guidance with which rod to choose, why not swing by and check out my rod guide?
You might need to invest in some new gear, but provided you do your homework, you can get most things on my fly fishing gear list without breaking the bank.
It Can Be Social
You might not think it, but flyfishing can be a fantastic group activity. There’s nothing nicer than packing a bag for a few days and disappearing into the backcountry with a few friends.
Camping, BBQs, beers, and good times in the evening, fishing by day.
Not to mention, there’s a healthy amount of competition in fly fishing. There is no worse feeling than being in a group, and you are the only one yet to catch a fish… Especially when your friends don’t (or won’t) tell you the fly, they caught it on!
It Can Be Solitary
Company is all good and well, but the appeal of fishing for many is getting away from it all. Fly fishing is the ideal opportunity to do this!
Remote wilderness, lakes that stretch as far as the eye can see, woodland trails, it’s all there!
Every fish you catch can feel like a real achievement, too, especially when you are on your own. It is you vs. nature. You’ve got no one helping you or supporting you. It’s a really personal thing that is so enjoyable!
It Calms the Mind
Because fly fishing is so active, it is great for quelling a troubled mind. You can leave all of the drama of the week behind you as you head out to the stream.
Your brain will be so occupied with trying to work out where the trout are and what they are eating that you won’t have time to be dwelling on your troubles and worrying about things that probably don’t matter.
The act of casting and retrieving is pretty repetitive too! This works sort of like meditation. Just focus on the casting, and the world will sort itself out.
It’s Exciting
Is fly fishing fun?
I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t.
As fishing experiences go, fly fishing is as good as it gets.
Trust me when I say this…
It is literally heart-stopping when you see a big fat rainbow trout explode under your fly as it yanks your arm out of its socket! These moments alone make it well worth the effort.
As I said above, fly fishing is a little like a puzzle. There is real joy and satisfaction in seeing a visual representation of you solving that puzzle. Followed by the fight of your life!
You are Always Learning Something New
By taking up fly fishing, you are literally embarking upon a learning experience that never ends. Every time you go there will be something new that you haven’t seen before.
Any guy who tells me he knows everything about fly fishing is mistaken. It’s the fish that decide whether you’ve got the required knowledge on the day, and the answer is nearly always that you’ve got something more to learn!
Conclusion
Why fly fish? The real question is, why wouldn’t you? Fly fishing is exciting, varied and gets you to places that you’d never have seen otherwise.
It is a great workout and also really helps to keep you grounded. If they aren’t reasons enough, then I don’t know what is.
Why do you fly fish? Let me know in the comments!