Allure of flyfishing catching on among anglers

Bob Marshall, Chillicothe, Mo., found a good way to avoid the crowds and still have some great fishing over the Memorial Day Weekend. "I knew the lakes would be crowded, so I decided to hit some of my favorite ponds, but I tried something different this time. I used my flyrod and I'm glad I did," he said.

Much has been written about the complexities of the sport of fly fishing, which has been over-emphasized, but flyfishing actually is a very old form of fishing. It's as pure and easy as that cane pole and a can of worms that many of us fondly remember. Marshall said, "Fly fishing is a lot of fun. It's a versatile way to fish."

There are thousands of ponds that dot the landscape in every county in the state and most hold fish from bluegill to channel catfish, so there's plenty of small waters to fish.

The 78-year-old Marshall should know. He's fished all over the country with all types of equipment, catching all types of fish and to this day, his favorite thing to do is to fish a pond with a fly rod.

The veteran angler ties his own flies and has done so for years. It's part of the fun.

He said, "If I want to check on bluegills, I'll tie on bugs or some other artificial bait. Bluegills are a lot of fun on a flyrod. When grasshoppers or dragonflies are active, they are my insects of choice. I have several flies that mimic those insects."

As far as the elitism that has surrounded the sport, it's not that way any more. Fly fishing has become extremely affordable and believe it or not, Marshall can teach someone how to fly fish much more quickly than he could ever teach someone to throw a baitcasting combo.

Marshall said, "You don't need all the 'stuff' you see on the shows or in the movies. Just a rod, reel and something you think a fish might attack and eat. You aren't casting a lure, you are casting a fly line. You can keep a fly in the strike zone longer, and the fly can be picked from the water immediately and cast to a rising fish without reeling -- a very efficient and versatile way of fishing."

But, there's got to be a catch. We've read how expensive this hobby -- or habit -- is. Those $750 rods and their $400 gold-plated reels with so many choices of flies that we have no idea where to start.

Another big part of the reason fly fishing is more attractive nowadays is because it has become an exceptionally affordable way to fish. There is now on the market excellent equipment at competitive prices we can all afford, which is enticing more and more anglers to try their hands at this cool way of catching fish.

The allure of fly fishing is that you aren't just fishing. You are becoming much more involved with the setting, the pond, the plants and the insects, as well as the fish. A good cast is as rewarding as a good catch. Your awareness level rises and makes the entire experience considerably more enjoyable.

Brandon Powers, a fisheries biologist, outfitter, guide and flyfisherman, said, "I started as a kid, an ultralight fisherman, throwing a tiny spinner rod with little spinners and crankbaits, catching panfish. One day, I picked up a flyrod and began throwing baits that fish are used to eating. I was surprised at how many more fish I could trick. I was actually having more fun matching what the fish eat in their own environment."

Marshall finished the weekend by catching a 4-pound bass along with bucket full of big bluegill and had it all to himself. "Fly fishing is one of the most fun things you can do. There is no better thrill than to make a good cast and watch a big fish attack that offering and head south," he said.

To prove farm pond fishing can be very good, Kent Franklin, Joplin, fly fished a Vernon County pond last week and caught several channel cats, four nice bass and 16 big bluegill. "I don't use my ultra-light gear very much anymore because catching fish while using my flyrod is as good as it gets," he said.