The True Cast: Is fly-fishing an “elitist” pursuit?

[Further North]

  

https://www.tu.org/magazine/fishing/the-true-cast-is-fly-fishing-an-elitist-pursuit/?_zs=t2KCb&_zl=H3mO3&fbclid=IwAR0afJRj-sM08hHeyTg1z5GNh_zBXYcDzMSLgwM79RngKXYU1OgV15nlTQ8

 

Good stuff.  Best read all the way through and taken as a whole rather than in bits and pieces.

 

 

Quote

 

The True Cast: Is fly-fishing an “elitist” pursuit?

Kirk Deeter

Jan 11, 2023

 

 

Okay, so as we shove this “True Cast” column/ship off the dock, we may as well start with a doozie.

Every now and then, I get a nastygram telling me I focus too much on fly fishing, that I should get off my high horse, and run more stories about “conventional” tackle, and that fly fishing is only for stuffy old codgers.

That hurts. 

Because I grew up a “gear” angler on the shore of Lake Michigan. I was a fishy little dude from the onset. So much so that I often pedaled my Schwinn Stingray bike to the local pier, before school, to chuck Johnson spoons with my Zebco setup. And every now and then, I’d land a salmon or trout, sling it over my shoulder, and pedal back home… just in time for my exasperated mother to do her best to wash off the fish slime and send me to the bus stop.

The truth is that I didn’t really embrace fly fishing until half-way through college, and I only took it up then to impress a girl I was dating.  She invited me to meet her family on a river in Michigan. At the time, I had absolutely no appreciation why any family would have a cabin on a river instead of a lake, but I played along. And as soon as I arrived, her father and grandfather (who were mad about fly fishing) put me in some Red Ball waders, handed me a Fenwick rod, and sent me downstream with a handful of Mickey Finn flies. 

A couple hours later, fearing that I might be lost in the woods or curled up in the fetal position under a wad of ferns somewhere, the girl’s mom sent her out on a rescue mission to find me, with a sandwich and a can of Coke in a brown paper sack. When she found me, I was hooked into a trout, beaming, and I shouted up at her on the river bank, asking, “Do I have to come back yet?”

She set the paper sack on a tree stump, slunk away, and eventually told her dad what I’d asked. And right then, I suppose, he figured I might be “the one.”

She and I have now been married for 33 years.

Fly fishing isn’t about the gear you use.  It’s about family.  It’s about traditions. It’s about nature, and the places you experience, and the people you meet along the way.

Fly fishing is about puzzles, and problem solving. How am I going to get that fish, hidden behind that rock, to eat this artificial bug? And how am I going to land it if I connect? This is no different than conventional fishing. We just go about the puzzle solving with different tools.

That’s a brain-trigger that appeals to a certain type of personality, but I’ve never bought into the notion that it’s “elitist,” probably because I’ve never been super wealthy or considered myself “elite” on any level.

Oh sure, there are exclusive clubs, and exotic trips, and expensive gear and all that.  But that’s true with a lot of sports.

At its core, fly fishing is about simplicity.  It’s a stick and a string. It’s basic. And despite all the jargon, all the sales pitches about space-age graphite in fancy rods, despite the complicated lessons when it comes to casting… fly fishing is primal. That’s what flips my switch, and I hope it never turns off. I’m never going to stop loving fly fishing. And yes, I think trout and fly fishing are a match made in heaven. 

The thing is, any true fan of fishing in general (or wild rivers, clean lakes, etc.) should never have to choose between the gear and fly worlds. I resent it when people force that agenda.

I’m not the least bit hesitant to say that I am absolutely fascinated with flipping and pitching for largemouth bass. Some of my favorite trips and stories as a professional writer revolved around the Bassmaster Classic. And believe it or not, many of the pro bass anglers dig fly fishing, because they learn a lot—especially about reading currents—when they fly fish. I learn a lot that I apply to fly fishing when I use a casting rod or spin tackle.

I am also enamored with trolling in saltwater, and have even learned lessons that I apply to trout rivers while chasing tuna on the ocean. Fish like changes—whether you’re looking for weed mats, drop-offs and blue water (color changes) in the Gulf Stream, or color changes, structure, and drop-offs in the trout stream. This past summer, I honestly spent more time trying to figure out how to fish diving crankbaits for northern pike than I did matching hatches for trout. Want to get good at streamer fishing for trout? Learn how to throw crankbaits at pike.

Fishing is fishing.  And all fishing is good.

Now, some truths. Over 90 percent of TU members profess that fly fishing is their favorite way to fish, so it makes sense that we lean toward fly content.  And a lot of people have a hard time reconciling treble hooks and conservation. But I think we have an obligation to point out another truth that the person who hammers 50 trout a day, day after day, is making a bigger dent on the resource—even if a catch-and-release angler—than the person who throws a Panther Martin and keeps a couple for the smoker where that’s permitted.

I think if we all spend more time focusing on truths and figuring out ways to best share the resources and inspire interest and engagement among younger generations rather than criticizing each other for things as trivial as the gear we prefer, we could get a lot more done.

After all we’re all in this together.  We all have bigger challenges to face. There are so many important debates to be had regarding habitat, the future of fishing, and wild places… what type of rod you fancy most should not be one of them.

 

 

[Scott F]

I’m in a smallmouth bass club where nearly all the members chase smallmouth on rivers. Around 40% spent at least some of their time using a fly rod. Many of our members are also in a fly tying club. I met many of our fly fishing members and members of the fly tying club. Some of the guys are real purists and follow traditions closely. Some spend multiple thousands of dollars on a rod and reel and only have the finest gear, but I’ve never found any real difference between gear guys and fly guys except for the tools they use and never even got an inkling that anyone considered themselves elite. Because fly gear can cost many times more than casting gear only those with lots of money, the elites of society, can afford, they get a bad reputation from those who can’t afford the expensive and difficult to use gear. But they aren’t any different in many ways than a guy with a stick, a string a hook and a can of worms.  We are all just trying to catch a fish. 

[Further North]

7 minutes ago, Scott F said:

I’m in a smallmouth bass club where nearly all the members chase smallmouth on rivers. Around 40% spent at least some of their time using a fly rod. Many of our members are also in a fly tying club. I met many of our fly fishing members and members of the fly tying club. Some of the guys are real purists and follow traditions closely. Some spend multiple thousands of dollars on a rod and reel and only have the finest gear, but I’ve never found any real difference between gear guys and fly guys except for the tools they use and never even got an inkling that anyone considered themselves elite. Because fly gear can cost many times more than casting gear only those with lots of money, the elites of society, can afford, they get a bad reputation from those who can’t afford the expensive and difficult to use gear. But they aren’t any different in many ways than a guy with a stick, a string a hook and a can of worms.  We are all just trying to catch a fish. 

Scott, it's so great to hear that from another angler, other than me.

I have experienced the same. 

I probably fish flies/gear 50/50, and I've never fished with anyone who has considered themselves better than other anglers.

 

Our local fly tying club is just buncha regular folk who happen fish with flies a fair amount of the time.

 

[casts_by_fly]

From about 1998 or so until 2019 when we moved back I fished a fly rod almost exclusively. I’d use the centerpin for steelhead and grayling now and then. I’d throw a spinning rod for carp in the Uk half of the time (the other half fly rod). Otherwise it was a fly rod. Now that I’m back and focused on bass I haven’t picked up the fly rod in 3 years except when I took it to the Bahamas casting to bones. I’m still the same guy no matter which rod I have so…

 

 

[flyfisher]

I'll read the article in a bit but jut to throw a comment in there is a major difference between primarily trout guys and warmater guys as far as elitists in my experience.  Bass and warmwater guys don't care as much except in my experience the occasional redneck making a comment when im fishing on a lake for green bass.

 

now on a local spring creek it is elitist big time with people making comments if you aren't matching the hatch or if you are throwing streamers etc....

[Tennessee Boy]

“Fly fishing isn’t about the gear you use.  It’s about family.  It’s about traditions. It’s about nature, and the places you experience, and the people you meet along the way.”

 

The same could be said about bass fishing…or not.   Everyone is free to enjoy fishing the way they choose.  If being into the gear is how you define “elitist” then a high percentage of fly fishermen and bass fishermen are “elitist”. There are a lot of people on this site that are very much into the gear.  What labels you put on a sport or the people that enjoy it is irrelevant but maybe interesting to debate on a cold winter day. ?

[Captain Phil]

I have caught practically every fish on fly tackle.  From sailfish, bonefish, tarpon, red fish and snook to bass, bluegills and pike.  Fly fishing is about the challenge.  A fly rod is not the most comfortable way to fish.  Casting a fly is not the most efficient way to fish.  There are places where fly fishing is a must. You are not going to catch many trout in a stream with an 8/0 Penn International.  Fly fishing is cumbersome, awkward and labor intensive. It's also fun. I taught myself to fly fish on my front yard when I was 15.  I believe the cheap split bamboo fly rod I bought mail order cost me about $6. I caught as many fish on that rod as I do today.

[Deleted account]

Not intrinsically, but many make it so...

[casts_by_fly]

If you want elitism, try fishing an English chalkstream one day. 

[Further North]

4 hours ago, casts_by_fly said:

From about 1998 or so until 2019 when we moved back I fished a fly rod almost exclusively. I’d use the centerpin for steelhead and grayling now and then. I’d throw a spinning rod for carp in the Uk half of the time (the other half fly rod). Otherwise it was a fly rod. Now that I’m back and focused on bass I haven’t picked up the fly rod in 3 years except when I took it to the Bahamas casting to bones. I’m still the same guy no matter which rod I have so…

 

 

Bass on the fly is a blast, particularly when floating the rivers.

1 hour ago, Deleted account said:

Not intrinsically, but many make it so...

Not many, but perhaps a few.

I've a seen the same behavior from what I call "species snobs" - the folks who thing the the fish they focus all their energy on is better than all the other fish out there for some obscure self justified reasons.

[Team9nine]

13 hours ago, Further North said:

At its core, fly fishing is about simplicity.  It’s a stick and a string. It’s basic.

Until you show up at your local stream with a Tenkara rod to “fly fish”…at which point the elitists tell you it’s a stick and a string - and a reel ? Lol.

 

Been a member of TU on and off for about the last 15 years or more - currently “off.” It seems about every half dozen years or so, some local TU Chapter somewhere makes big headlines for trying to somehow infringe or restrict the rights of other anglers or locals on public waters, and I sour for a bit. But, I like a lot of the conservation things they do, so eventually I come back. 

[gim]

I know a couple of dedicated stream trout anglers that exclusively fly fish. They definitely frown upon anglers targeting trout with spinning gear.

 

I don’t target trout, nor do I fly fish, so I don’t really have an opinion on the elitist or purist subject when it comes to trout fishing.

[roadwarrior]

Well, I target big browns on the White River below Bull Shoals Dam a couple of times

a year. It seems to me the "fly guys" are all about style and they are REALLY good at

casting a weightless bug onto a dime. Plus, I like  their costumes and gear! So, I say

"Go get 'em, boys!"

 

However, I'm a fan of BIG fish, measured in pounds not inches.

https://www.hotdawgguideservice.com/

[casts_by_fly]

2 hours ago, Further North said:

Bass on the fly is a blast, particularly when floating the rivers.

 

definitely. I used to fish smallies in the streams and largemouth in the lakes and ponds. More than a few times I took the 8 wt in the back of the bass boat and threw poppers and streamers for big smallies. Always a good time. 

[Further North]

4 hours ago, gimruis said:

I know a couple of dedicated stream trout anglers that exclusively fly fish. They definitely frown upon anglers targeting trout with spinning gear.

I've heard of this, but never actually encountered it.

1 hour ago, casts_by_fly said:

More than a few times I took the 8 wt in the back of the bass boat and threw poppers and streamers for big smallies.

An 8 wt. is my smallie fly rod choice, more often than not.

Though I had a 6 wt. built last summer that's magic, so it'll get a bunch of time on the water this year.

[desmobob]

I do almost all of my cold water fishing with a fly rod and most of my warm water fishing (70/30?) with bass tackle.

 

I'd say I run into the same amount of elitism in each.  That surprised me, actually.  I guess I always expected some elitism on the trout streams, but I didn't expect it on the bass lakes from a few of the guys with big-dollar rigs, for instance.

 

In either case, it's minimal and never bothered me much.  As you get older, you realize that there is a certain percentage of people who spend their life trying to be seen as something (and "a real outdoorsman" seems to be a popular persona for these types to shoot for) rather than doing something because they truly love it.  They want an image more than a hobby.  You see it in hunting, the shotgun sports, fishing, etc.

 

The folks who truly love the pastime are the ones who are fun to be around!

[Further North]

1 hour ago, desmobob said:

The folks who truly love the pastime are the ones who are fun to be around!

That's the simple truth.

[Fallser]

I fly fish 85 to 90 percent of the time.  None of the guys I fish with are fly fishers.  We just enjoy fishing.  Sometimes I out fish them, other times they out fish me.  When I first started fly fishing I only fly fished for trout, because I didn't no any better.  Fortunately, I discovered I could fish for warm water fish, and a bit later salt water.  Have I run into elitists, definitely.  Years ago I was fishing a local FFO(fly fishing only)stretch of a local creek.  I was dressed in a old T-shirt, urban camouflage BDU's, a vest that hadn't been washed in years, a pair rubber boots cut from an old pair of waders and sitting comfortably on a large boulder next to a nice set of riffles.  The creek was about 20 feet wide.  I'd already caught a couple of trout and was changing flies.  I looked up and there was a guy who looked like he stepped out of an Orvis catalog.  Standing in the middle of the creek.  I build my own rods and I use single foot spinning guides as my running guides..  He immediately informed me that this was a fly fishing only stretch and I couldn't use spinning gear.  I showed him the fly reel on the rod.  He waded closer and told me I'd never catch anything with the leader I was using.  I was using a thread furled leader. Or with the dry fly I had on, a CDC and Elk.  I needed to be using a heavy nymph.  He waded right through where I was fishing and worked his way slowly down stream.  I waited about 10 minutes and started fishing again.  He was still in sight.  I caught another of the stocked trout and made big show netting it.   They're out there.  Fortunately with my choice of guys I fish with I don't run into them to often.

[flyfisher]

I did some guiding in college to get me cheap fly gear and it was always funny to see the faces of the clients when I didn't look like a fly fisherman but i always put them on the fish.

[TnRiver46]

6 hours ago, Fallser said:

I fly fish 85 to 90 percent of the time.  None of the guys I fish with are fly fishers.  We just enjoy fishing.  Sometimes I out fish them, other times they out fish me.  When I first started fly fishing I only fly fished for trout, because I didn't no any better.  Fortunately, I discovered I could fish for warm water fish, and a bit later salt water.  Have I run into elitists, definitely.  Years ago I was fishing a local FFO(fly fishing only)stretch of a local creek.  I was dressed in a old T-shirt, urban camouflage BDU's, a vest that hadn't been washed in years, a pair rubber boots cut from an old pair of waders and sitting comfortably on a large boulder next to a nice set of riffles.  The creek was about 20 feet wide.  I'd already caught a couple of trout and was changing flies.  I looked up and there was a guy who looked like he stepped out of an Orvis catalog.  Standing in the middle of the creek.  I build my own rods and I use single foot spinning guides as my running guides..  He immediately informed me that this was a fly fishing only stretch and I couldn't use spinning gear.  I showed him the fly reel on the rod.  He waded closer and told me I'd never catch anything with the leader I was using.  I was using a thread furled leader. Or with the dry fly I had on, a CDC and Elk.  I needed to be using a heavy nymph.  He waded right through where I was fishing and worked his way slowly down stream.  I waited about 10 minutes and started fishing again.  He was still in sight.  I caught another of the stocked trout and made big show netting it.   They're out there.  Fortunately with my choice of guys I fish with I don't run into them to often.

That type of thing happens every day around here! 
 

It’s one of the main reasons I try not to fly fish 

[BrianMDTX]

There is elitism in almost everything. In bowhunting, longbow and recurve shooters tend to be elitist towards compound bow shooters, and all three tend to look down their noses at anyone with a crossbow. 
 

You can see it here at times. Some feel the only “proper” way to fish for bass is with a baitcaster. Spinning rigs are at times looked down on as beneath a baitcaster. 
 

Most of us don't really care too much as long as we can kill a deer or catch a bass lol. 

[TnRiver46]

5 hours ago, BrianMDTX said:

 

 

Most of us don't really care too much as long as we can kill a deer or catch a bass lol. 

Yes sir! Doesn’t affect the flavor one bit 

[Jar11591]

I think any hobby will always have its elitists. I don’t have much experience in fly fishing, but a saying I heard from an old fly fisherman always pops into my head whenever I talk about fly fishing: “Fly fishing is an expensive, inefficient way to catch relatively few fish”. That may or may not be relevant to elitism in the sport. 

[gim]

19 hours ago, BrianMDTX said:

In bowhunting, longbow and recurve shooters tend to be elitist towards compound bow shooters, and all three tend to look down their noses at anyone with a crossbow. 

I see that a lot here.  Crossbows are not legal for use during archery season by the general population (yet).  They can only be used with a disability permit, or if you are 60+ years old.  It has been taken up by the state legislature in the past, and failed every time in a tight vote.

 

Both Michigan and Wisconsin have allowed it for years now, which is why some have pointed to those states as an indication that it can work in Minnesota if managed properly.  I don't archery hunt, so I really have no skin in the game.  I know several compound bow hunters and they are hell bent against allowing crossbows during archery season.

 

If MN allowed someone like me to use a crossbow during archery season, I'd consider trying it.

[Further North]

5 minutes ago, gimruis said:

I see that a lot here.  Crossbows are not legal for use during archery season by the general population (yet).  They can only be used with a disability permit, or if you are 60+ years old.  It has been taken up by the state legislature in the past, and failed every time in a tight vote.

 

Both Michigan and Wisconsin have allowed it for years now, which is why some have pointed to those states as an indication that it can work in Minnesota if managed properly.  I don't archery hunt, so I really have no skin in the game.  I know several compound bow hunters and they are hell bent against allowing crossbows during archery season.

 

If MN allowed someone like me to use a crossbow during archery season, I'd consider trying it.

 

I think if we look at the progression from long (or recurve) bows for archery, to compound bows, to crossbows, what we see is a a lessening of the skills needed to make the shot...and some people don't like that because they feel it diminishes the sport...and they struggle with the part where it encourages more people to get out in the woods and participate.

I can see both sides, but will side with the latter every time.  Hunting, fishing, or whatever.  The benefit to increasing outdoor participation exceeds purist's desire to keep things the same, every time, on balance.

I'm sure we can come up with an example or three where increased participation has had a negative impact...but that's not the point.  Benefit, on balance, is the point.