I would wager the great majority of strictly fresh-water fly anglers have never had a fish take them more than 10 yards into their backing - with the exception of fly anglers fishing for what are or used to be sea-run fish in fresh water. This makes communication about fly fishing tackle between strictly fresh and strictly salt water fly fishers difficult, at best.

Phil,
I would wager that the VAST majority of fresh water anglers have never had a fish take them into their backing at all (with the exception of the fish you already mentioned). The only freshwater (non trout/salmon) fish that has every taken me into my backing was a carp. And that was because I was fishing a 5wt for trout. I will also state that most saltwater fisherman over estimate the drag capability needed for that fishery. As a group (fly fisherman) both freshwater and saltwater fisherman over complicate the whole process. That is where they are both on the same page.

I don't know where you have fished for Trout, but in West's large rivers (BC to CA) I have been way into my backing with large Rainbows many many times!

Phil,
You need to reread what I wrote. I said the only NON trout/salmon....

I wouldn't disparage any fly anglers. I enjoy both catching brookies in a spring fed creek and watching a tarpon make my backing disappear, as I believe any fly angler would if he/she had the chance. Strictly fresh water and strictly salt water fly fishers operate in different frames of reference in many ways: different demands are made on the tackle and caster for example. When making observations or suggestions about fly tackle or technique it can't hurt to specify the species of fish the tackle will be used on.

Quinn, I missed, sorry. Phil, you make a very valid point, the target species is very very important, I consider it the most important. It is the starting point when I am drawing up specifications with a customer for a new rod build.

The challenge gets more complicated when they say, " I want an all around rod". especially if they are novice fly fishers!



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/06/2020 11:42AM by Phil Erickson.

How about striper fishermen? I've had 5-15 lb stripers take me well beyond 10 yards you mention and this is on a 9 wt.