Fly fishing: What is it, and why is it so popular?

Fly fishing, one of the most enduring and enchanting pursuits in the world, is finding legions of new followers during the coronavirus pandemic. Jeff Glor looks at the birthplace of American fly fishing, and spends time with a writer who has been at it for over 50 years, and the Queen of American fly fishing, who has been practicing for over nine decades.

[@chrisashby4497]

Not all fly fishing involves keeping the fly on the surface. That is called dry fly fishing when the fly floats on the surface. There is alot of fly fishing that involves fishing them below the surface of the water. Just to help clarify for those who are interested.

[@RodrigoVargas72]

And then there’s fly fishing in salt water, flats and deep sea. A whole different animal, and the best imo.

[@crouchingturtle6351]

And then there's actually Fishflying when you use dead fish to catch flies

[@rudyruiz9521]

Too many books, movies, and methods only reference dry fly fishing for trout.

[@joeg5414]

Something like 90% of a trouts diet is below the surface. If you're only fishing dries, you're not catching as many fish as you could be. Dunno where this misconception that fly fishing is only dry flies came from. Disappointing that they didn't research this further.

[@jakelardie8216]

These noobs, not once did they mention euro nymphing, streamer fishing, or the growing effects of fly fishing influencers

[@DarkDylan10]

3:39 LMAO he was NOT listening hahaha 🤣😂

[@ezyrider2783]

dry flies are for tv shows

[@joeg5414]

90%of a trouts diet is subsurface. If you're only using dries, you're not catching as many fish as you could be

[@joeg5414]

I'm 38 am be have been fly fishing since my dad taught me 30 years ago. Tie my own flies, build my own rods... the whole 9 yards lol started tying my own flies when I was 12 and teaching tying and casting classes when I was 16. Lucky enough now to live in the fly fishing mecca of Durango Colorado. More world class trout fishing in 2 hours than one could fish in a lifetime. Everyone I know who's tried to pick it up in the last year went once or twice and gave up. That's okay though, I prefer going by myself.

[@jjames2162]

John Gierach would have been an appropriate choice for this episode as well

[@bigbodyalan7054]

Fly fishing is fun

[@todoldtrafford]

Ok snowflake

[@bigbodyalan7054]

@@todoldtrafford ok liberal

[@todoldtrafford]

Ok conservative

[@randellgribben9772]

i have been fly fishing for 50 ish years, incd, 6 years at this wonderfull place called, Camp Pendleton.. lots of fun, casey springs. lake o'neal, and some other little lakes my day took us to..

[@randellgribben9772]

@@todoldtrafford bigbodyalan, is a Marine..be careful with your words

[@jarredking899]

That reporters casting is terrible lol bro hold onto the dam line.

[@douglyons2678]

Kamisky’s wasn’t a whole lot better to be honest!

[@joeg5414]

90% of a trouts diet is subsurface. If you're only using dries, you're not catching as many fish as you could be. 95%of the time I'm using nymphs with weight

[@LetortAngler]

It needs to stop getting so popular. Everyone is now privatizing their water due to too much pressure.

[@fishingnoob2216]

Anyone else cringe so hard? This just makes y’all look more and more like fake news.

[@Subaruuu12]

Her double hauls back in the day were no joke.

[@RodrigoVargas72]

Still are..... I’d love to see YOUR double hauls at 94. 😁

[@kidsauthordave1463]

At 94, wow. She's amazing. It's a tough but graceful sport. With my basic lack of hand/eye co-ordination, the only thing I'd hook is my own face or the back of my head or someone else's head if I tried to cast a fly. I take it Jeff did not catch a thing. Good burn, Dana. Great story! Good job.

[@28ebdh3udnav]

"When you find yourself doing something for a passage of time" Well, thats the whole point of fishing in general. I, for example, am such an rookie, I dont catch anything for hours but dont care cause it relaxes.

[@RodrigoVargas72]

I started fly fishing 22 years ago because I got fed up with spin & baitcast. Caught so many fish it turned to be really boring. And then there was fly tying too. More addictions! 🙃

[@Annie-qe2uu]

Thats not what he said

[@mr.robinson1982]

Try changing your fly more often, if after 20 casts without a bite, change it. Time of day, time of year, water temperature, water clarity, part of the world/country(salt or fresh water) floating/sinking line type of fly/lure all play a part on how effective you will be. I usually only fish in lakes or ponds. I prefer to fish early morning or 90 minutes before sunset. Both work well. Day of the week also matters...best days to fish Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday. Everyone else is @ work. You almost always have the place to yourself. Good Hunting.

[@RodrigoVargas72]

You were actually taught by Joanne Wulff, and learned wrong! 😂

[@colingordon5950]

"A River Runs Through It" is my favorite movie of all time. Glad to see it shown here.

[@thegreatcatsby409]

Me too! This post has inspired me to watch it again today. Cheers!

[@douglyons2678]

You haven’t seen too many movies I take it.

[@colingordon5950]

@@douglyons2678 You haven't been beaten badly enough I take it...

[@dmv7590]

Hmm actually most fish are caught on subsurface flies, called nymphs.

[@Hensels1]

They should have pulled in Tom Brokaw for this. lol

[@TheEonRed]

Lost me at "lure sits on the surface instead of beneath it", completely disregarded nymphing, which is a massive part of the sport

[@jarredking899]

Right and streamers

[@liamgiardino]

Yeah they really need to do more research🙄

[@cepaasch]

I guess on his one day of fly fishing he made the assumption that all flies are dry?

[@murphnumber3]

If you want to spend 90 percent of your day NOT catching fish, stick to the dry fly.

[@JP-dz7zu]

I negged this post because it disregards streamers

[@rowhope]

My teacher, mentor and friend. Joan Wulff coached me in fly casting, and into a new way of life. She's truly remarkable.

[@randellgribben9772]

it was once said........' Give a man a fish, he will eat for a day.........teach a man( or woman) how to fly fish.. they well move to New Zealand '.

[@tinoyb9294]

Teach a man to fish...and you get rid of him on the weekend. Wife's version.

[@randellgribben9772]

@@tinoyb9294 i like that

[@demonhd8437]

We can seriously all look back and cringe at the “pandemic” scam from the past.

[@flyguy4515]

They have nymphs that sink lol.

[@nateshores8823]

Fly anglers use flies subsurface as well as on the surface. In the 1600’s the English used wooden rods not bamboo rods.

[@connorring597]

Bamboo is wood

[@nateshores8823]

@@connorring597 Bamboo is a type of harden grass not wood. The English did not use bamboo for fly rods in the 1600’s. They used wood.

[@jaywhitmore7776]

literally saw that they said fly fishing is the fly on the surface. Trash reporters. Trash writers. Trash everything.

[@donovanb9020]

Chill tf out dude damn lol.

[@randellgribben9772]

it was a couple mins on a morning tv show.. what did you expect a 12 hour thesis?

[@jb.fishing]

Its not the deep bro

[@Hey_its_Koda]

I want to learn. She gave me hope.

[@randellgribben9772]

its not hard to learn,, a 9 foot 5 weight from cablea's will get you started..i have taught many many folks on this sport,,, right now a young 1st lt, in the army,, he's learning quickly

[@Hey_its_Koda]

@@randellgribben9772 thanks man.

[@randellgribben9772]

@@Hey_its_Koda just talk to some folks at a local fly shop.. most would be happy to teach you a few basic casts.... dont worry about this double hall.... its kind of show off cast.. it does work... but most fish are caught about 5 to 30 feet away from you,, just keep it simple.. and it will be fun... i love to catch trout.. but bluegills are so much fun to catch

[@HoraceRocketMan]

Those witches didn’t even let the guy talk in the end

[@randellgribben9772]

always be careful with your words.. shall we call your mother the same? grandmother? sister?

[@paid1nfull346]

beta

[@markkmiecik9797]

Why is fly fishing so popular that if you go fishing 100 times you won't see one person fly fishing?

[@randellgribben9772]

we dont hang out below a dam snagging fish.. we work alot of water in one day... last summer i ended up taking a hour walk on hy 50 here in california( just below camp sacramento ) to get back to my car.. had no idea how far i went

[@douglyons2678]

Depends on where you fish and what you fish for. But even within fishing fly fishing pulls up the rear. But that said Ford sells a lot more cars than Porsche but I don’t think too many people would say Ford makes a better car.

[@TheRAYviewYT]

Try looking in the Rocky Mountains…..

[@markkromer1238]

I see a bunch every time I go.

[@jb.fishing]

They mostly fish in rivers and streams places were almost none that doesnt fly fish good

[@df6148]

I think of the Perfect Cast from a Goofy Movie (Disney) Everytime I see fly fishing. I always thought they had the coolest setups and kits.

[@robvegart]

Fly fishing is not just flies in one stage, but flies in many stages and not all flies either. The 'fly' in flyfishing can resemble anything that pertains to the type of bait regarding the quarry you are pursuing. There are dry flies, wet flies, nymphs, streamers, poppers and such that all indicate 'fly' for flyfishing. 'Fly' in fly fishing is just the type of bait/lure you are using. It requires skill for both performing the act of flyfishing, as well as tying the flies(baits) used. Some people are avid collectors of flies in fly tying. Fly Tying is more of an art than the function of bait production using natural and synthetic materials.... Of course, tying a fly on a hook helps... LOL!!!

[@rodrigo49018]

Protect the environment!! It’s part of our roots!! Go green! 👍👍

[@flyguy2021]

It’s not really that fun and it’s very dangerous. You don’t want to try it.

[@OzymandiasWasRight]

watching a River Runs and realized i have no idea how fly fishing workss.

[@crouchingturtle6351]

I leaned how to fly fish in 1993 when I was 14. I caught a bass my first week on the Verde River in AZ. I haven't fly fished since then. That was my first and only fish on a fly.

[@joeg5414]

We learned at about the same time only I was 10 in 93 and never stopped. I became obsessed with it lol. Now I live in Colorado and spend at least 2 days a week year round fly fishing some of the most famous trout rivers in the world.

[@crouchingturtle6351]

@@joeg5414 Arizona isn't the best or that "A River Runs Through It" kind of feel. If I was in your place I'd do the same.

[@denisomer6310]

I started to fly fish in 2019 when I was 13 , my first fish was a trout at the salt river I ended up losing it near shore but this is what motivated me. As of today, I have caught 5 out of the 6 species of Trout in Arizona!

[@jb.fishing]

@@crouchingturtle6351 I've never been but I hear northern Arizona is forsted mountains with alot of trout rivers

[@acemany1126]

It's not popular. How many times have you seen a a fly fisher? Rarely lol.

[@briangillman735]

I see 1 every time I look in the mirror!

[@zacksamuels7042]

SSSSHHHHHHHHH

[@lollycarola]

1:42 Really? Well, I'm from Utica and I never heard anyone use the phrase 'fly fishing'

[@joeg5414]

Well you're incredibly ignorant then

[@HeadCase55]

This is underrated lol

[@Chillfam]

Looks like a privileged sport.

[@nl6781]

Ahh it's beautiful. The great outdoors. 🏔️🏞️🐟

[@thekekronomicon590]

I don't get it .

[@philipmorphew6301]

Awesome fly fishers! Thank you!

[@jerrydunn3260]

Someone once said that fly fishing is mostly just gadgetry and pageantry and that you can catch a lot more trout using other methods.

[@randellgribben9772]

takes a lifetime to master the sport.. even 40 years on, still trying and learning new things...i also tie my own flys

[@joeg5414]

There are guys that treat it like that, but they're crappy fisherman normally with too much money. I often notice the guys with the nicest, most expensive gear are the least experienced. They cant catch fish so try to make the sport exciting through shopping and new gadgets.

[@akirakyu73]

한국에서 존경의 마음을 보냅니다. 전설적인분을 뵙습니다. 항상 건강 하시기를 빕니다.

[@onemorething100]

She's wrong about one thing and that's "Beautiful, clean water." good luck with that.

[@cepaasch]

Pretty much all of salt water fly fishing is below the surface. I can think of one place where you can dry fly fish in the salt.

[@ericschmuecker348]

A lesson from Joan! Casting or ballroom dancing she can teach me anytime. Still beautiful!

[@jimmynoname4089]

Done it for 18 years. :) And watching peter break the rules for how to cast properly is making me laugh. Using your whole arm? No!

[@jasenhaynes8046]

Doesn’t mean it sits on top of water. Already woke news

[@Chris-is1rd]

I still don't see what the big deal is

[@dylansmith5103]

It determined my life basically

[@Zhisaoka]

you almost never throw a dry fly, if you are not a purist. The fish are usually under the water. Just use a wet fly.

[@trout_fishing_Virginia]

The streams i fish are so shallow a dry and wet fly are almost the same in the collum

[@colesonfrieboes4755]

Saw this video this morning. 4 hours later. Bought my first fly fishing rod and reel and flys. Might go fishing tomorrow

[@joeg5414]

Let me guess... You went once and that was it? 🤣

[@colesonfrieboes4755]

@@joeg5414 well you would be wrong

[@joeg5414]

@@colesonfrieboes4755 nice! Yeah I dunno why I said that. Are you fishing for trout, bass or something else?

[@colesonfrieboes4755]

@@joeg5414 mostly trout. I have only caught small ones though

[@joeg5414]

@@colesonfrieboes4755 nothing wrong with small fish! I have a small 2wt fly rod I use on small mountain streams in Colorado. Nothing but 6-10 inch trout but so much fun! I've been fly fishing for 30 years now and and every fish is just as much fun

[@user-sg1iw9ms5n]

He can’t do it lol

[@e4t662]

Don't start fly fishing, it sucks trust me...

[@phinadelphiahlongwane3485]

Its a sport is not about catching to eat but pass time

[@jcrawdawg7470]

naww you just suck at it lmao.fly fishing is a artform and a sure way to catch fish.

[@e4t662]

@@jcrawdawg7470 whoosh..

[@donovanb9020]

I second that. Absolutely terrible sport. You're better off playing videogames.

[@jayk.2276]

Serious such a stupid sport, catching fish with fake bugs..

[@douglyons2678]

Ugh. Now our waters are going to be invaded by a second wave of people trying to “find themselves”.

[@woollybrothers1392]

Hahahaha those two old farts know how to fish although this sport has changed and due to perspective I believe this video is incorrect in portrayal and I think all the newbies should take their gear back so the true fishermen can get back to work .

[@friskycritter7592]

Fly fishing is not from the us…

[@russfolts4531]

But do the fish have masks? If not no thank you.

[@bigbodyalan7054]

Ok snowflake

[@randellgribben9772]

@@bigbodyalan7054 some people here, should not use the internet

[@jerrydunn3260]

Someone once said that fly fishing is mostly just gadgetry and pageantry and that you can catch a lot more trout using other methods.

[@takackman9325]

Depends if catching more fish is your goal.

[@jerrydunn3260]

@@takackman9325 Truth is that contrary to this uneducated report, probably 80% of fly fishing is done below the surface using bobbers and split shot, which makes it nothing more than glorified bait fishing.

[@jayk.2276]

@@jerrydunn3260 except artificials aren't bait..

[@jerrydunn3260]

@@jayk.2276 True, they're fake bait. Watch someone fishing flies subsurface. You'll see that it looks just like bait fishing, which is why I said it's nothing more than glorified bait fishing.

[@jayk.2276]

@@jerrydunn3260 yes, I nymph fish. I live in the rockies, just depends who you ask i guess. Some guys are straight purists and wouldn't tie on an indicator and nymph if their life depended on it. But in a different aspect, I wouldn't say it's too comparable to bait fishing because i've NEVER had a fish gut a fly. Sure, the visual aspect is very similar. But it's completely different how trout will take flies vs baits. Baits and scented artificials are much more likely to be gutted by a fish, which is why for the most part bait fishing is not allowed in a lot of waters here in the West.

[@theotherview1716]

This is so w-hite

[@MrJ567]

I definitely prefer bait fishing. Fly fishing just feels tedious to me.

[@randellgribben9772]

Beer fishing ...lol

[@judithkelly2556]

Bait fishing is for kids and beer drinkers .

[@MrJ567]

@@judithkelly2556 Well, I am a beer-drinker.

[@judithkelly2556]

@@MrJ567 I am but after I fish not while I sit and wait