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Section Assessment

FISH . . .  The reason we are here

click on a fish you wish to study

In the beginning . . .

In the early days, fishing with a fly usually meant fishing for "trout."  In that fly fishing originated in the trout-filled streams of Europe, this natural initial quarry was imported with the sport to America and became the default fish-of-choice.  As a consequence, for more that a century, fly fishing was synonymous with "trout fishing."

Boy, have we come a long way!

Fishermen the world over are blessed with a variety of fish to challenge our skills.  To a certain extent, particularly to the uninformed, the old myth persists that fly fishing is a "trout fishing" technique.  This perception is unfortunate, as technically speaking, ALL fish can be caught on a fly.  Realistically speaking, any fish considered a "sport fish" is a suitable quarry for fly fishers.

Today's fly fishers pursue all imaginable (and some unimaginable) species of fish with their fly rods and flies.  There are no waters or species of fish "off limits" to inventive fly fishers.  "If it swims, we can catch it", could be a mantra for many anglers seeking the broadest reaches of the sport.  We have branched out, spread our wings and sought out fish across the world that heretofore were seemingly beyond the scope of fly tackle and technique.

This course is designed to provide an in depth look at many of these popular, and some not so popular, fish that we fly fishers follow.

Let's get started on our alphabetical-order-tour by looking into the sea-run Arctic Char. . .