AmericanPressTravelNews- 9/1/17-Article by Bob T. Epstein–Many people who have never fished before ask: What possible attraction could standing in a river, flailing a line with feathers tied to a hook, trying to catch a fish that you don’t even plan on eating, just catching, viewing, maybe take a picture, and releasing? Today it is estimated that millions of Americans enjoy fly-fishing as a hobby and a natural, physical and mental escape from their work-a-day lives. In the U.S. alone, untold thousands of jobs depend on the creation of fly-fishing gear for the would-be, or intrepid fly-fishing angler.  Hundreds of fly fishing schools have opened all across the USA to assist those with interest in learning the basics in fly tying, insect entomology and the art of casting and placing a fly in front of a trout, bass, pan fish and so many other freshwater game fish  (including the mighty carp), and all manner of salt water game fish as well.

Over the centuries, nearly all American Presidents have taken time out to fly fish. In more recent years, President Eisenhower took every opportunity to fish, likewise, Ronald Reagan, and both President Bush’s do.  The American  Museum of Fly Fishing in Manchester, Vermont showcases fly fishing tackle belonging to several American Presidents and high profile personalities that were part of all venues in American culture of the 20^th Century.

As my wife Barbara and I are both fly fishing instructors and avid anglers ourselves, we have visited a few of the fine rivers that slice and meander through the Maryland landscape, such as the Casselman, the Savage and the upper Potomac to name a few. We also traversed America in an RV fly fishing as we traveled in some of the most scenic areas such as Yellowstone, Rogue River and the Snake, to name but a few of the many dozens we flicked a feather or two on. Fly rods in all the past centuries before the 20^th were made of wood, some were made of metal. They were mostly hand-crafted out of various woods and bamboo.

Some of the finest fly rods and reels were made in the last few centuries in Scotland and France. Reels from the Hardy Brothers in England are highly prized today and old ones are also highly collectible at stiff prices. This is true of American makers such as Orvis with a long history of providing the CFO reel (Charles F. Orvis) to fly anglers for well more than a century and half now. Orvis Headquarter store is also located in Manchester, Vermont but many of the same fly fishing products and specialized accoutrements to the anglers art are located in Frederick, Maryland. It is a fine store that has everything you’d need for anything to do with fly fishing.

Today with the major degradations to our natural places in the past century as the Industrial Revolution accelerated, dams and industrial wastes pouring into all major and minor rivers, overfishing, development close to or on our waterways, is one huge reason hatcheries and a put & take program is now an important part of the trout fishing seasons in Maryland, the Virginias, Pennsylvania and most of these United States. The ideal of course is that trout and other game fish reproduce enough to sustain a more natural fisheries situation. However, far too many people want fish, so state & federal hatcheries oblige. If not, there would be no fishing licenses, gear-sales, or tourism dollars for the local economies that can offer very little else than a jumping off point for a great outdoors adventure. And the number of anglers and hunters is also now diminishing from a high of just a few years ago.

We visited Dusty Wissmuths Fly Fishing School over at White Tail Ski area and enjoyed sitting in on his indoor fly craft lore and his outdoor fly casting clinic. Stehanie Stephan Zaklin and her husband Kuy Kendal from DC were intent on learning all they can about fly fishing. “ I like the conservation aspect of fly fishing. As a couple we tend to move move a lot and this is a sport that is challenging and new life sport for us” said Zaklin.  Zaklin and Kendal have friends that fly fish, but they never had a chance to try it. So they are taking lessons along with another couple Theresa and Ali Zandi from Ashburn, VA. who independently found Dusty’s school to their liking as well. Both couples enjoyed learning the fundamentals of fly casting which initially just takes a certain amount of practice time. Some pick up on the concept of what goes up must come down as the smooth arcing of the fly rod creates horizontally as well as in any configuration based on the rod loading up and releaseing the tension in two directions. Once the “feel” is understood than building on the process with practice eventually make for perfect casting.

The art of fly fishing has been a sport of kings down through the ages.

There are hieroglyphic depictions of fly fishing on the walls of pyramids in Egypt. French and English noblemen enjoyed their rights on their own game reserves while their serfs worked their lands. Some of the finest fly rods and reels were made in the last few centuries in Scotland.

Today it is estimated that thousands of Americans enjoy fly fishing as a hobby and escape from their work-a-day lives. The beauty of women’s involvement in fly fishing lies partly in the fact that . . .

• fly fishing is completely “gender neutral”
• fly fishing does not require great physical strength or ability
• fly fishing can be practiced by and at all ages
• and most importantly, fly fishing is a rewarding outdoor activity that can be enjoyed by women, by their children and grandchildren for a lifetime

“Fly fishing is not about providing table fare. It is about the experience…it is the spiritual connection to nature—the melody of the birds, the singing of the trees, and the sunlight dancing on the water. And, of course, it is the poetry of properly casting and handling a fly rod, which is the physical connection from yourself to a whole other world living below the surface.”
~ Rich Kustich, Buffalo Spree Magazine

 www.amff.com

The museum serves as a repository for and conservator to a large collection of historic rods, reels, art, literature, and related angling items. Documentation of fly fishing as a sport, art form, craft, and industry in the U.S. and abroad from the mid-16th century to the present. There are also items belonging to U.S. presidents and noted personalities. Activities include demonstrations, classes, and auctions.