We often consider history dull and boring. Who cares what happened then? However, understanding a sport's history often enhances our appreciation. Take fly fishing. It is a big draw to our community, contributing many dollars to our coffers each season. Did you know we have the Romans to thank for the sport?
Early records date fly-fishing back to at least 200 AD when a Roman, Claudius Aelianus, wrote a book titled, On the Nature of Animais. He recorded people fly-fishing on the river Astracus in Macedonia. Claudius described these early fly fishermen using 6-foot rods with 6-foot lines and hooks baited with red wool and two rooster feathers. Obviously these early fishermen had given considerable thought to hooking their prey.
More than one thousand years pass before the subject is again found noteworthy. A cryptic Bavarian manuscript dating back to the 15th century, is the next to take up the subject. It lists fifty different fly patterns for catching carp, pike, catfish, burbot, salmon, and trout.
Although three British manuscripts were published later in the 15th century, the earliest known and most complete reference is suspected to have a woman author. In a time when men's voices were most commonly heard, Dame Juliana Berner spoke with authority. She was an illustrious female who possessed superior mental and personal qualities, and she obviously had a high regard for the sport.
Her work, Treatyse of Fishing with an Angle, covered everything from making the necessary equipment to its correct use. The exacting details and specific information, prove the author knew her subject. From this book, we learn much about the sport's early days.
Early equipment differed much from our modern instruments. Rods were made by fusing a hazel, willow, or ash to blackthorn, Crabtree, medlar or juniper. Fishing line was made from the longest, roundest, and best hairs from a white horse's tail. The hairs were twisted, plated, and bound together to produce a long line. Fly fishermen then dyed their lines different colors for fishing different waters throughout the season. Fishing hooks were considered the most difficult to produce requiring at least seven specific tools and fine quality steel.
The Treatyse also included instructions for making twelve flies with color variations for different months and specific bug patterns for hooking different fish. It suggested six ways to angle and provided hints on hooking the prey with detailed instructions for various fish species.
Reprinted many times, the book's attention to detail serves to prove fly-fishing was a serious enterprise. Based partly on this work, modern reviewers have concluded early fly fishermen exercised greater skill than their average modern day counterparts. This is not surprising when one takes into account their inferior equipment, their mediocre understanding of the sport, and yet the greater numbers of fish caught.
In the 17th century the next major treatise was published. The Complete Angler by Thomas Barker, Colonel Robert Venables, Isaac Walton, Charles Cotton, and Richard Franck came out shortly after the English Civil War. It has become one of the three most published books in English literature with more than 300 editions printed. By the 5th printing, it included more than 65 trout fly patterns!
Fly-fishing equipment began to improve in the 18th century. Running rings were added to fishing rods. Although they tended to pull out when under pressure, they provided better line control. Joined rods became more common but were horribly unreliable. Rods also started the shortening process, dropping from seventeen to fourteen feet. In addition, new materials became popular. Most notable were whalebone extensions to rod ends and bamboo for salmon rods.
Reels also made an appearance this century. Brass winches emerged first. The multiplying reel came into use shortly thereafter. Unfortunately its brass gears tended to grind to pieces under strain.
Manufactured horsehair and silk lines began to replace pure horsehair. The new materials and their tapered form made casting easier and line placement more accurate. In addition, the first commercial fly production came into existence.
However, the sports' biggest changes and improvements came in the 19th century. United States' sportsmen were finally bit by the fly-fishing bug. They would contribute largely to the sport. In fact, in 1887 John LI Keene published the first American fly-fishing book, Fly-Fishing and Fly- Making.
Fly invention moved forward advancing a wide color spectrum and varied materials. While most flies continued to be hand tied, more than 300 patterns were now in use, including the winged wet fly and the fully-dressed salmon fly.
Fly-fishing rods underwent further improvements. Commercial production soon followed. The new split cane rods were lighter and more flexible. The ferrule, designed in the mid 1800's by an American violin maker, became the accepted solution for joining rod sections. In addition, trout rod lengths dropped again to around twelve feet.
Toward the century's end, specialized rods made an appearance with split cane the preference for trout and green heart for salmon. Cork now covered most rod handles.
The reel, however, made the greatest advances. Early in the century reel usage became universal with the clamp foot design being widespread. However, the spike foot reel's popularity also grew. Unfortunately, reels were still terribly inadequate.
However, the American's finally achieved a breakthrough. Based on a German pattern, a Kentucy-made reel incorporated a balanced crank handle, a free spool mechanism, and a spool capable of casting line. Toward the end of the 19th century aluminum came on the scene. This forever changed reel history.
As leisure travel increased, the interest in fly-fishing kept pace. With more fly fishermen on the water, new techniques began to emerge. In fact, nearly every cast known today was discovered by the late 19th century. For example, the false cast, originally called ‘Carshalton dodge', came into use in the 1850's. Although not universally accepted, it was well established within 30 years.
The dry fly technique also resurfaced. Although Manuscrito de Astorga, written in 1624, proves this method was used in Spain in the 17th century, F.M. Halford and G.S. Marryat were the driving force behind its resurrection. Dry flies were first mentioned in The Field in 1853. Commercial production began in 1954.
Fly-fishing equipment and techniques had come a long way. Nonetheless, 20th century fishermen welcomed reel improvements. Again American designs led the way. In addition, new fly patterns and fishing techniques flooded the market, including nymph fishing. Discovered by George Edward Mackenzie Skues, this method was considered heretical at first. However, by 1910, it was an accepted technique.
Rod mediums experienced major improvements as well. Glass fiber rods became popular in late 1940. Carbon fiber took the lead in 1976. By the mid 1980's cane was a thing of the past.
Not to be left behind line materials also made great advances. Early in the century Japanese gut became the material of choice. However, by 1945, nylon had come on the scene. By 1952, cheap production sealed its popularity.
Without doubt, fly-fishing has come a long way since horse hair and willow. Next time you dip your line in the water, flip that perfect cast into a hard-to-reach pool, or watch your rod bend and quiver as you fight your dream fish, remember, generations of fly fishermen may be looking over your shoulder.
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