Fly Fishing History – From Ancient Times To Date
Fly fishing has been in existence since ancient times but the first recorded reference of the use of artificial flies appeared at the end of the 2nd century. A Roman by the name of Claudius Aelianus wrote about Macedonian anglers on the Astraeus River who snared fish with artificial flies. He described the flies as being made from red wool and cock feathers attached to a hook. The rods and the string they used were 6 feet in length and they were quite successful in catching fish. All through the years, people have been enjoying fly fishing as well as writing about it.
Fly fishing in the modern times originated in the streams of Northern England and Scotland. Not much was written about it until 1496 when the ‘The Treatyse on Fysshynge with an Angle’ was published by Dame Juliana Berners. The book contains instructions to make rods, line and hooks used in fly fishing. She also described dressings for different flies used at various times of the year. The patterns for the fishing fly that she described are still in use today and anglers believe them to be effective for successful fly fishing. The popular patterns include the Wooly Worm, the Black Gnat, the Whirling Dun and the Stonefly.
Dame Juliana also described the rods used at the time. The rods were about 18 feet in length and were made of very flexible wood. The lines were shorter than those used today and were made of hand-braided horsehair. The line was tied to the tip of the rod and a general rule at that time was that it should not be longer than the rod.
Izaac Walton published his book ‘Compleat Angler’ with the first detailed writings about fly fishing. In fact, the two chapters were actually written by his friend Charles Cotton. The rods and flies described in the book were akin to those described by Dame Juliana. The description of the lines was slightly different in that the lines were about 6 feet longer than the ones used in the 1400′s, although they were still made from horsehair. The book also described the tapered lines and this was considered to be the first written description of tapered lines.
Fishing line manufacturers began mixing silk with horsehair to make the fishing lines in early 1800. The first silk line was made during the Civil War. The silk lines had an oily coating that made them water resistant. After the invention of silk fishing lines, horsehair was never used, although horsehair lines could be found sometimes in England up to the Second World War. However, after the first nylon line was manufactured in 1948, most manufacturers started using synthetic materials for the fly fishing line. The technological advancement and precision engineering helped create an automatically tapered line in 1952.
About the Author
Abhishek is an avid Fly Fishing enthusiast and he has got some great Fly Fishing Secrets up his sleeve! Download his FREE 93 Pages Ebook, “How To Become A Fly Fishing Pro” from his website http://www.Fishing-Masters.com/95/index.htm . Only limited Free Copies available.
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White River Fly Shop Fly Tying Bodkin – Flies & Flytying $2.99 Fly tiers will find this multi-purpose Bodkin to be a very useful, practical fly tying tool. Bodkins are frequently used to free-up tied down hackle fibers and other bound fibers. Plus, bodkins are tool of choice for many when it’s time for precise cement placement on finished flies. A strong, sturdy needle point is connected to a weighted handle. Color: Black. Fly tiers will find this multi-purpose Bodkin to be a very useful, practical fly tying tool. Bodkins are frequently used to free-up tied down hackle fibers and other bound fibers. Plus, bodkins are tool of choice for many when it’s time for precise c |
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Inside Fly Tying $17.21 Fly-tying instructor Dick Talleur teaches in step-by-step detail some of fly tying’s challenges, such as working with peacock quills, tying wood duck wings, choosing feathers for streamers, and using gel thread. |
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Concise Handbook of Fly Tying $10.81 This is a basic, all-color fly-tying guide that teaches all the necessary techniques needed to tie excellent flies for trout and other fish. Tying materials are explained and tying techniques demonstrated. An excellent introductory book to the wonderful world of fly tying |
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White River Fly Shop Microfibetts Fly Tying Material – Black – Flies & Flytying $3.29 Microfibetts are an essential fly tying material that should be found near every fly tiers work station. An important ingredient in several must have flies; these super-thin synthetic fibers feature a tapered tip for tying natural-looking insect feelers and tails. Can be used for thorax patterns, mayfly spinners as well nymph legs. Several hundred fibers per pack. Microfibetts are an essential fly tying material that should be found near every fly tiers work station. An important ingredient in several must have flies; these super-thin synthetic fibers feature a tapered tip for tying natural-looking insect feel |
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Universal Fly Tying Guide $13.26 This essential reference for fly tyers has sold 350,000 copies since original publication in 1979, including sales of the second edition, issued in 1994. This reprint of the second edition will assure the continued availability of this classic handbook for years to come. The Universal Fly Tying Guide features full-color pages of fly tying instructions throughout, and over 150 selected fly patterns. Dick Stewart is the former editor of American Angler magazine and is the author or co-author of eight other books about fly tying and fly fishing. He lives in Eaton, NH. |
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Charlie Craven’s Basic Fly Tying by Craven, Charlie Edition ILL, 0 $29.99 Learn to tie 17 popular nymphs, dry flies, and streamers Master fundamental tying techniques in a series of practical lessons Charlie Craven’s Basic Fly Tying is a modern course in fly-tying fundamentals covering the essential tools, materials, and techniques needed to tie a wide range of popular flies. With 1,000 photos, Craven covers cutting-edge techniques for the more tried-and-true classics, such as the Royal Wulff, Adams, and Hare’s Ear, and shares innovative approaches to current patterns such as the Brassie, RS2, and Copper John.With clear, concise text, Craven provides tips and techniques from his over thirty years of tying flies for fly shops on Colorado’s Front Range. This book is built on Craven’s successful fly-tying classes, which start out with simple flies and work toward more complex patterns, all the while teaching techniques and introducing materials by tying popular patterns that catch fish in Eastern and Western streams. This series of lessons show how flies build on one another, enabling readers to tie a wide range of patterns simply by breaking them down into parts. Craven illustrates the progression with his meticulous directions to fingerbusters like Copper Johns, Stimulators, and Humpies.This book, which is sure to become a standard text for basic fly tying, covers 17 flies (including recipes for popular variations), including the Brassie, Black Beauty, RS2, Hare’s Ear, Pheasant Tail, Prince Nymph, Copper John, Woolly Bugger, Elk Hair Caddis, Stimulator, Adams, Rusty Spinner, Parachute Blue-Winged Olive, X Comparadun, Royal Wulff, Humpy, and Goddard Caddis. |
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Gingher Featherweight 4 Thread Clippers, Sharp Tip $17.77 Gingher Featherweight 4″ Thread Clippers, Sharp Tip: Stainless steel blades Black, glass-filled, nylon frame with protective safety loop cap Weighs only a 1/2 oz Very sharp points are useful for pulling threads Protective cap for safe carrying in purse, pocket or luggage |
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Superior Fishing: Or the Striped Bass, Trout, and Black Bass of the Northern States (1865) $62.95 New – New Introduction by Ernest Schwiebert First published in 1865, this book is a valuable record of the early years of fly-fishing. Roosevelt gives instructions for both fly-fishing and fly-tying. |
