By Beau Beasley
Have you ever thought of taking up fly fishing as a new outdoor sport? Many assume that fly fishing is a sport for college professors–folks who wade in tweed jackets, know the Latin names of the fish, and smoke pipes on the river. Think again: Fly angling may be the quiet sport, but it appeals to both sexes, all ages, and folks from every walk of life. So what sets fly angling apart?
First, forget the thought that fly fishing is somehow “better” than spin fishing; you’re starting from a false premise. Rather, fly fishing is to conventional fishing as bow hunting is to hunting with a firearm: not better, just different. Whereas the spin fisherman throws a weighted lure that pulls out his line, the fly angler casts a weighted fly line while his fly just goes along for the ride.
The fly angler’s lure is called a fly–a synthetic pattern, hand-tied to a fish hook, that looks like an insect (a grasshopper or dragonfly, for example), small fish (maybe a minnow), crayfish, sculpin, fish egg, leech, shrimp, crab…. The possibilities are almost endless. If a fish might consider it edible, believe me: a fly tyer has tied it. I’ve seen flies tied to look like baby ducks! Thousands of fly patterns already exist; you can copy one at a fly-tying vise yourself, invent and tie your own pattern, or benefit from someone else’s hard work and just buy ready-made flies. I have fished all over the country (and outside of it), and I always use commercially tied flies. Fly tying simply doesn’t interest me–and that’s okay, because other folks are obsessed with it and eager to sell me their creations. It’s a win-win for everyone.
Yes, it is true that the elusive trout is the fly angler’s gold standard prey. It is also true that you can fly fish (proudly) for just about any species. Your local waterway may offer small and largemouth bass, striper (rockfish), bluegill, carp, crappie, shad, or any number of similar freshwater species. You can also fly fish from watercraft like drift boats and rafts, and bring surprisingly large fish to hand with a fly rod. My home state of Virginia boasts muskie that are often more than 30 inches long and weigh over 25 pounds. (Incidentally, these muskie are plenty big enough to pursue those baby duck flies I mentioned earlier.)
Some fly anglers are dedicated to saltwater fishing, eagerly pursuing red drum, specked trout, cobia, Spanish mackerel, false albacore, tarpon, and even barracuda -all on the fly. In fact, there are entire saltwater fly fishing tournament where anglers pursue very large saltwater species like tarpon, permit and even sailfish, all on the fly. And some brave souls have been known to fly fish for shark! It’s often hard for those with preconceived notions about what fly fishing should be, to believe such massive fish can be captured with a fly rod but it true.
High-anxiety types, take note: Many fly anglers find fly casting uniquely therapeutic. In fact, some nonprofit organizations have capitalized on the therapeutic nature of fly casting–and, for many, fly tying–to support cancer patients like Casting for Recover and to rehabilitate wounded veterans Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing. Both organizations provide fly fishing outings free of charge and the natural comradery that goes along with fly fishing is indeed healing.
Finally, fly fishing is easy enough that even children can learn how to cast and to tie their own flies. Parents and their children can enjoy fly fishing together when parents remember to patiently focus on skill-building and togetherness and let go of the goal of landing scores of fish. I’ve taken my kids along with me to some of our local waterways and it’s always a good time. Be sure if you’re fishing with children to bring a few snacks, or some other edible treat to make the day go more smoothly if the fishing action is slow. In today’s world whatever we can do to get our kids outside and off their computers or cell phones, and connected to the great outdoors is a good thing. Besides, this is a sport your child can pursue and enjoy with you for a lifetime.
Beau Beasley he’s the author of Fly-Fishing Virginia, Fly Fishing the Mid-Atlantic, and his latest book is Healing Waters” Veterans’ Stories of Recovery in Their Own Words. He serves as the Director for the Virginia Fly Fishing & Wine Festival in Doswell, Virginia.
Want to take up the quiet sport of fly fishing but don’t know where to start? Well, you’re in luck. This coning January 9 & 10, 2026 marks the 25th Annual Virginia Fly Fishing & Wine Festival. This is the largest event of its kind in the country and draws more than 100 vendors from all over the country. A variety of authors and national speakers from across the country will be on hand. Just a few speakers include Author Tom Rosenbauer of Orvis fame, Captain Gary Dubiel of Spec Fever Guide Service, Author and fulltime guide Josh Miller, Ian & Charity Rutter from R & R Fly Fishing and Captain Bruce Chard a full-time guide from Florida will all be giving classes.
Lodge owners from Alaska to Canada and beyond, as well as outfitters, guides, specialty fly tyers, fly shops and custom rod builders will also be in attendance. There is also an entire symposium dedicated to women who want to learn more about fly fishing, called Beyond the Cast Women’s Fly-Fishing Symposium that offers a host of classes just for women, taught primarily by women instructors. If you get tired of fly-fishing vendors, and your over 21 years of age, you can sample the offerings from ten of Virginia’s finest wineries and four great Virginia distilleries. Well, what are you waiting for?
