The tranquil allure of fly fishing, its serene surroundings, and the gentle lapping of the water has a story to tell in every cast. It is an art, an escape, and a challenge all wrapped into one. Through the words of avid fly fishers, we invite you to explore the lure and lessons of fly fishing. Let’s dive into 25 insightful quotes that capture the essence of this beloved pastime.
“The charm of fishing is that it is the pursuit of what is elusive but attainable, a perpetual series of occasions for hope.” – John Buchan
“Many men go fishing all of their lives without knowing that it is not fish they are after.” – Henry David Thoreau
“There is no greater fan of fly fishing than the worm.” – Patrick F. McManus
“If people concentrated on the really important things in life, there’d be a shortage of fishing poles.” – Doug Larson
“The best time to go fishing is when you can get away.” – Robert Traver
“Some go to church and think about fishing, others go fishing and think about God.” – Tony Blake
“Fly-fishing is the most fun you can have standing up.” – Arnold Gingrich
“Fishing is a discipline in the equality of men – for all men are equal before fish.” – Herbert Hoover
“The fishing was good; it was the catching that was bad.” – A.K. Best
“Fly-fishing is solitary, contemplative, misanthropic, scientific in some hands, poetic in others, and laced with conflicting aesthetic considerations.” – Harry Middleton
“Fly fishing may be a very pleasant amusement; but angling or float fishing I can only compare to a stick and a string, with a worm at one end and a fool at the other.” – Samuel Johnson
“Fishing is not an escape from life, but often a deeper immersion into it.” – Harry Middleton
“If fishing is a religion, fly fishing is high church.” – Tom Brokaw
“The solution to any problem—work, love, money, whatever—is to go fishing, and the worse the problem, the longer the trip should be.” – John Gierach
“I go fishing not to find myself but to lose myself.” – Joseph Monniger
“Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.” – Lao Tzu
“Fly fishing is the most fun you can have standing up.” – Arnold Gingrich
“The two best times to fish is when it’s rainin’ and when it ain’t.” – Patrick F. McManus
“Creeps and idiots cannot conceal themselves for long on a fishing trip.” – John Gierach
“In every species of fish I’ve angled for, it is the ones that have got away that thrill me the most, the ones that keep fresh in my memory.” – Ray Bergman
Fly fishing, it seems, is more than a simple act of casting a line—it’s a way of life, a meditative process, a window into the soul. Each angler finds their own unique wisdom and inspiration from their experiences with the line, the lure, and the water. Which quote resonates with you the most? Do you have any personal experiences or fly fishing quotes you would like to share? We encourage you to share your thoughts and stories in the comments below. Remember, your reflections could be the inspiration for someone’s next cast.