Fly fishing is a distinct and ancient angling method, most renowned as a method for catching trout and salmon, but today used for many other species such as pike, bass, and carp, as well as a wide range of saltwater marine species, such as tarpon and bonefish. Artificial flies are tied (see fly tying) onto a hook with thread, fur, feathers and other materials. The material is tied in sizes and colors to match naturally occurring food, or simply to excite a fish into striking the fly.
Compared to other types of fishing rods, fly rods are relatively long, limber, and lightweight, while fly lines are relatively heavy, providing the weight necessary to cast tiny flies. Lines may be tapered or straight, of differing densities (to make them float or sink), and are matched to the rod according to weight. The fly itself can weigh very little and is normally attached to the line by a 2-3 meter leader which may taper to a very fine line at the tip end, also called the tippet. The principal difference between fly fishing and other types of casting is that casting uses the weight of the lure, while a fly is cast by the weight of the line. In fact, a fly line can be "cast" without any fly or lure on it at all, a feat impossible with a typical spinning or casting rod and reel.
There are two basic forms of fly fishing, dry and wet. Dry flies are coated with a floatant and sit on the surface of the water. The dry fly is mainly employed for fishing moving water, but can be used for lake and pond angling as well. Wet fly fishing is subdivided into various types such as nymphs, streamers, emergers, terrestrials, and true wet flies. They may be fished on all types of water, but they are all fished beneath the surface of the water.
