INTRODUCTION

What is fly-fishing? How is it different to any other kind of fishing? Is it better, or more difficult, or more noble, than say, rock & surf, light tackle, or bass-worming? If it is different, what makes it so - and how does one do it? Is it the fly, the cast, the fisherman, the ethics - and the traditions - or is it just a bunch of hogwash? These are some of the questions which we will try to answer in simple and easy chapters, so that any beginner can follow step by step, without having to wade through intimidating levels of initiation. Am I qualified for the job? Well who could say for sure, but I have fished my whole life - since the age of four - in every kind of water that there is , in tiny farm ponds and in great lakes, in swamps, rivers and streams and dams. I have fished in the great seas. I have fished in estuaries, rock pools and in gullies, in sandy bays and on off-shore reefs - and in the deep blue oceans out of sight of land. In every style and type of fishing great skills and subtle tactics have evolved One day, when I was in my twenties, I discovered fly-fishing. Its grace, its traditions and history, seemed to contain a reverence for all things natural. I have fly-fished ever since.

In every style of fishing, great skills and subtle tactics have evolved. It doesnt matter the type of fishing - about 85% of the fish always seem to get caught by about 15% of the fishermen and the best of them have developed a special talent. In this sense, fly-fishing is no different. Everyone can hack it - do a bit of casual fishing now and then - and gain a great deal of enjoyment and reward in doing so.

Some people might become extremely proficient and a few will become real experts - honing their skills, studying the fish and its world, throughout their life time. By continually experimenting and questioning the traditional, they develop new ways of doing things, new ways of seeing the same old picture. There is no short cut to real expertise - it takes a lifetime to become an overnight sensation. That doesnt make them any better than anyone else. A really good fly-fisher might be a really lousy human being - Nor does it mean that they never get stumped by the fish. And the best of experts begins to get rusty the moment he puts down his rod.

Every good angler has a deep understanding of the habits and life style of his quarry. He knows where it is found, what it eats and how it feeds. He knows what kind of environment it prefers. He also knows about his tackle and takes good care of it. Plenty of practice makes him familiar with its workings. He ties his knots carefully and keeps his kit in perfect working order, understanding that his whole rig is only as good as its weakest part. He never forgets this!

Anybody can fly-fish - all it takes is a little bit of practice and a love of the outdoors and nature. When I began fly-fishing - about 30 years ago, trout was pretty much the only species that was targeted. Much has now changed. One can flyfish for any fish - fresh or salt water. Carp, barbel, yellow-fish, trout, tigerfish, bream, bass, etc., in fresh water and everything from mullet to marlin in the seas.