When reviewing the history of fly fishing it becomes apparent that modern fly fishing is generally agreed upon to have its origins in Scotland and the upper part of England. The first book concerning fly fishing was written by Dame Juliana Berners. The Treatise on Fysshynge with an Angle is found in The Boke of St. Albans which was published in 1496. It included tips for making flies, rods and lines.

Fly fishing gradually became more popular throughout the eighteen hundreds in Great Britain. Books were written on fly fishing containing detailed instructions. Some historians attribute the beginning of fishing with artificial flies to a Roman named Claudius Aelianus at the end of the second century. This is a minor controversy in the history of fly fishing.

History of Dry-Fly Fishing

Dry-fly fishing was the preferred technique utilized in the clear unhurried rivers. These rivers also contained weeds which grew close to the surface and these rivers were known as chalk streams. Due to the conditions of the rivers the fisherman wanted to keep the flies close to the surface of the water. This was the origin of dry-fly fishing.

However a man named George Skues surprised everyone by writing two books which encouraged fisherman to use wet-fly techniques in the chalk streams. His two books had a large impact on the progress of wet-fly fishing. At the time, wet and dry-fly fishing were both being practiced in America.

Significant Improvements in Fly Fishing Tackle

It appears that the lines were originally made out of horse hair, however they were phased out and silk lines became popular. The lines made out of silk had more weight to them and this led to fly casting being practiced in the modern technique.

Eventually they began to create fly fishing rods out of greenheart and bamboo which allowed the fly fisherman to cast their flies into the wind while using lines made out of silk. These silk lines proved to be a bit troublesome and had to removed from the reel and laid out to dry in the sun so they wouldn’t become waterlogged. The fly fisherman also had to apply dressing to the lines in order to make them float.

History of Fly Fishing in America

In America they began to use superior bamboo rod building methods. They basically glued thin strips of bamboo together and made rods that looked hexagonal and these rods were stronger than their predecessors and lighter. Flies made to catch bass are thought to have first been made in America. The bass popper flies are still being used by fisherman. Fly fishing steadily gathered enthusiasm in America and numerous books were being written on the subject in the late eighteen hundreds.

In the 1950’s fly fishing in the United Sates significantly increased in popularity, partially due to the inventions of fly lines that were made out of synthetic materials and rods made out of fiberglass. For those who love fly fishing, reading the history of fly fishing provides some interesting information that will impress your fly fishing pals.