The River as
Meditation
Fly fishing is not just fishing, it's reading water, knowing entomology, the precision of a cast, and the deep silence alongside a river.
Why Fly Fishing
Most fishing is about waiting. Fly fishing is about thinking. Every decision matters: which fly, what size, how to present it, where exactly to cast. The fish live in specific lies, predictable positions in the current where food arrives with minimal effort. Finding those lies, and presenting a fly that matches what the fish are eating, is a puzzle that never gets old.
There is also something about the rhythm of a cast, the loop unrolling above the water, the fly landing softly, that is genuinely meditative. The river demands full attention. There is no room for anything else.
Favourite Waters
Techniques
Dry fly fishing is the most visually satisfying, watching a fish rise to take a fly off the surface is unforgettable. But it requires a perfect presentation and an accurate read of what the fish are feeding on. Nymphing, fishing below the surface, is often more productive, especially in colder months when insect activity is low. Streamers, large wet flies fished actively, target predatory behaviour and can produce the largest fish.
Fly tying, making your own flies, adds another layer. Understanding which materials imitate which insects, how to tie a hackle, how to weight a nymph correctly. It is a craft in itself.