| Fishing is a pastime that has been around for a | | | | does it need to look like the larval stage of a fly? |
| very long time. Any time a necessity such as | | | | 'Nymphing' is the practice of using larvae imitation |
| fishing has the luxury of becoming a hobby, it will | | | | fishing flies to fish. 'Emergers' are another type of |
| change and adapt to different areas and cultures. | | | | lure that imitate flies, but mimic the larval-to-adult |
| Fishing flies themselves are made to either imitate | | | | stage and rest on the surface of the water, like a |
| flies or to use patterns and colours to lure fish | | | | fly about to emerge from its larval husk for the |
| into biting. And the way to make flies depends on | | | | first time. |
| the type of fishing to be done. | | | | River fish have different feeding habits and prey |
| Fishing flies have been dated throughout history | | | | styles than lake or ocean fish. In a river, there |
| and are written about as early as 200 A. D. In the | | | | might still be crustaceans and crabs and the like. |
| fifteenth century, they made a brief appearance | | | | However, river fish also enjoy the monopoly |
| in one of the first books to talk about fishing as a | | | | presented by spawning fish. A large majority of |
| sport. Along with instructions on how to make a | | | | fish return to the rivers they were born in to |
| rod, set a line and bait a hook, there were also | | | | mate and lay their spawn. So, many fish consider |
| chapters written about how to make a fly and | | | | eggs a part of their diet. In Europe, using fishing |
| when to use a certain type of fly throughout the | | | | flies that look like eggs is frowned up and |
| different seasons of the year. | | | | considered unsportsmanlike. Some fishing flies will |
| A fishing fly used to be called an artificial fly. This | | | | imitate the rotting flesh of dead fish instead, since |
| is because once upon a time they were made | | | | so many species perish after they have lain their |
| from actual flies captured and used as bait. | | | | eggs. |
| However, it soon became realized that these flies | | | | Dry fishing flies stay on top of water and are |
| could be imitated with feathers and bits of fur. It | | | | made from lighter weight materials than those |
| would be very difficult to make a profitable | | | | intended to sink. Fishermen using dry flies will tap |
| business out of capturing Mayflies and other large | | | | the same area with the lure several times. Fish |
| insects in order to use them as bait. However, | | | | watching from beneath will think that a fly is |
| anyone who knows anything about craft supplies | | | | laying eggs or larvae and will eventually strike at |
| knows that feathers and fur can be found very | | | | the lure. Other heavier flies imitate worms, berries |
| easily. The challenge is in knowing what to use and | | | | or other bugs that fall or are blown into the water |
| when. | | | | by the wind. Many fishing enthusiasts say it is not |
| Fishing with fishing flies requires knowing where a | | | | about imitation when it comes to flies but about |
| person will be fishing, what sort of fishing they | | | | colour and pattern. Fish will strike at things that |
| want to do and for what sort of fish. Different | | | | are colourful and certain fish can apparently be |
| fish have different habits. Some do not eat from | | | | lured into biting by distinct displays of strikes and |
| the surface of the water they live in, while other | | | | colour. |
| fish types will leap right out of the water and into | | | | Fish flies can be ever so diverse. Whether they |
| the air to catch the right bait. Some fish wait | | | | are designed to imitate a fish's prey or just to |
| hungrily beneath the overhang of trees for bugs | | | | catch a fish's eye and cause it to strike by using |
| and worms to fall down to the water. Other fish | | | | glaring colours and patterns, artificial flies are |
| actually eat berries or vegetation. | | | | exciting to use. They require a skill in creation and |
| Because there are so many different types of | | | | crafting that is only matched by the skill of the |
| prey that a fish can eat, it's important to know | | | | fishermen using them. Fishing with flies is a great |
| what the fishing fly should be imitating. Does it | | | | hobby that is often isolated and full of peace. |
| need to look like a small crab or a shrimp? Or | | | | Making fishing flies can be peaceful, as well. |