Fishing Frenzy

Fly fishing has been around and has been popular since the 1800's when the first American fishers visited brooks, streams, rivers and lakes or Colonial America. The fish they caught were mainly for the evening dinner. Nowadays, fly fishing is popular throughout the world from the US and Canada to Japan, throughout Europe and in South America.

Imitation flies are used by today's anglers to simulate the look and movement of aquatic insects. The fly line of today is plastic-coated and is heavy enough to send the fake flies to the hungry fish. In other forms of traditional fishing such as those using spinner and bait rods, heavy weights on the lines keep the lures in the water.

The sport of fly fishing can be accomplished in salt or fresh water. Fly fishing in freshwater is divided into subtypes: cold water (for steelhead, salmon and trout), cool water (for walleye, perch or pike) and warm water (for catfish, bass or chub). Depending on the freshwater location, fly fishing techniques vary in rivers, lakes or streams.

The imitation fishing flies are have different characteristics; size, color and weight, for example. These mock flies are manufactured by affixing fur, feathers, hair or any other material (which can be simulated or natural) to a hook with some thread.

Flies in the past were tied with any natural material but imitation substances are now not only popular but common. Flies are available in different sizes, patterns and colors to match the local aquatic insects, minnows or other bait which will attract the fish of the region.

Fly fishing lures are today commonly constructed of imitation materials. These lures are also different colors, patterns and sizes which will replicate aquatic insects or minnows (or other small fish). Often in different regions of North America, for example, lures will reproduce the bait items found in the area. These lures will attract the fish of that area of the country or province.

Fishing flies lures known as 'Imitators' look close to the actual insects or small fish of the region customarily used as bait. Some 'imitators' may not look exactly like the bait materials but their movements in the water sufficiently simulate those of the actual lures. Fish will still bit fishing flies made of fur, hair or feathers as long as these baits move like the 'real thing'.

An aggression response in a fish is the purpose of the lures known as 'attractors'. These baits are manufactured of materials in neon and brilliant colors such as chartreuse, lime, fuchsia or orange. When fish come upon the 'attractor' lures, they become agitated, the fish bite the lure and the fish get snagged.