Fishing With Flies As Bait
Evidence exists to support that fishing has been a means of survival for humans as far back as 100,000 years BCE. According to historians, the earliest references to fly fishing are in Aelians Natural History, estimated to have been authored circa 200 CE. Despite fly-fishing's late entrance, it is considered the most elegant and sophisticated style of fishing.
Before casting a line, fly fishermen must make decisions regarding types of tackle, the style of rod, line, reel and fly (or lure). Flies come in three general categories: wet, dry and saltwater. Dry flies are designed to float on top of the water. They are designed to mimic the appearance of insects in later stages of their life cycle. Wet flies are made to sink below the water's surface. Broadly, the wet fly is made to imitate the appearance of insects that tend to spend at least part of their lives underwater. Saltwater flies, the third most common fly, are designed specifically for saltwater fly fishing. Also known as blue water flies, saltwater flies…show more content… However, those that choose to purchase already made flies generally have to make the same decisions regarding the style of a particular fly. A great deal of forethought is put into considering not only the type of fish a particular fisherman is hunting, but the time of year, the time of day, levels of sun exposure, weather and a host of other variables.
There is a seemingly infinite variety of each type of fly. Not only are there considerations regarding environmental variables, but decisions must also be made regarding the fly itself: the size of the fly, the size of the hook, types of materials used in the flies’ construction, as well as the color of the materials. In addition to its general appearance, part of the construction plan takes into account specifics of the tail, body and tackle of the