Never forget the loop…
I don’t know when we invented it and it is an interesting question. Certainly we believe the very first flies were tied in Macedonia some 2000 years ago and that is our first record of them. They might have looked like wasps, but without the dry-fly hackle – that came later.
As probably did the Loop. But we don’t really know.
What we do know is that in the 15th Century Ladies and Gentlemen were fly fishing with very long rods, on the English Chalkstreams, and designing flies. We don’t know if they were casting loops, but one would expect so. They had no reels, instead, tied to the rod tip they had a braided horse hair fly-line – and it was tapered.
Since it was tapered (you can follow that link to carefully read the instructions on how to make your own fly line – back in 1496!) then one can be fairly certain that they were also casting loops.
What we consider to be “modern flycasting” however, came later with the ability to “shoot” line. From this point forwards little has truly changed. Of course we’ve had huge advancements in tackle; the invention of nylon, advancements in hook technology, polaroid sunglasses, tungsten as fishing weight, breathable waders that leak… and we’ve invented a few funky casts as well.
From an instructors’ perspective however, all I have to remind you of right now, is to not forget the Loop!!!
Cheers, Paul
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[if you’re not a Board Member then drop me an email].