Fun Fly Fishing Facts

Word of the Flies: What is a fly? A fly is attached to the end of the fly rod and is an artificial lure that is typically constructed of fur, feathers and synthetic materials. These materials are tied to a hook in order to imitate the size, shape and color of the food form that the fish is feeding on. What is a fly rod? It is a pole ranging from 7 to 15 feet long used for fly fishing. Historically, poles have been made out of bamboo canes and fiberglass, but are now almost exclusively made with carbon graphite.

"Honey, I’m going to the Nile": Fly fishing has been around for more than 2000 years. There is even evidence of the use of flies tied on bone hooks as early as 1400 BC in Egypt.

Pitt Not Included: All of the fishing props—not including the river and fish—in the movie, “A River Runs Through It,” were provided by the Fly Fishing Museum of America in Vermont.

Show Me the Funny: What is the fastest fish in the sea? The Go-Carp. What did one river rock pool say to the other rock pool? Show me your mussels.

Unruly Anglers: According to the un-official river-rules Web site (www.uky.edu/~agrdanny/flyfish/rules.htm), swearing, farting and burping are at the discretion of the angler and quite acceptable. However, doing so may frighten the fish.

"It was this big": River rule number 10 says that lying is still acceptable, and even expected, if asked how you did, or where you were. Lying about the insect hatch is not as decorous, but tolerated. Lying about your residency is illegal when purchasing a fishing license. Lying in the grass and taking a nap is one of life’s great joys. It’s also a necessity when you’ve been up since six in the morning to “go fishin’.”