The Big Why, part 2

A few topics ago, right here to be specific, I asked myself the question what it is that makes us want to fly fish for pike. The more so, since - even up to this point - I simply cannot find any more or less rational reasons for using a fly rod and fly line instead of modern, conventional gear when it comes to catching pike for fun.

And I'd like to add another question to that: what on earth makes us want to call that thing at the end of our fly line and leader a fly anyway? It doesn't look like a fly to the pike, it doesn't look like a fly to other more or less sane living creatures, and (hey, let's face it) it doesn't even look like a fly to ourselves. Well, I think the answer to that question gives us a big clue about The Big Why as well. So let's see what we've got here.

The only reason we call the things that we tie to the business end of our lines a fly is because we somehow really want to. This may either be because we claim to have developed some sort of universal construction concept of what can (still) be called a 'fly', or because we basically consider all things (which can be) tossed with a fly rod and fly line a fly. And of course, there's always that nasty mix.

Now let's start with calling a fly a fly because of the construction concept. In my book, this doesn't go a long way. I mean, where do you draw the line? Using only feathers, fur, and hair, or maybe just anything as long as it's natural? If so, what about wood then? And if we include synthetics (like most pike fly tiers do), doesn't that make the difference with an ordinary lure nothing more than the fact that we use tying thread?

Regardless of how interesting this construction concept may be, it doesn't seem to be of much significance when it comes down to answering our questions. I mean, there's simply no denying that there are far more people calling themselves "pike fly fisherman" because of the specific fishing technique they use than because of the the way they make their "lures/flies", so it makes sense to take a closer look at that.

To be continued....