Homer gave us one of the first accounts of fishing in 1000 BC stating Greeks used artificial bait to catch fish. The Macedonians made the first flies to imitate bees and wasps. The first description of a fly given to us from the Romans was a fly made of a red wool body and wings of wax colored feathers. Fishing wasn’t the hobby that we know today in ancient times. Fishing was a way of life to get money and food for the family.

By later times, fishing became more of a sport. No longer a major job, fishing became past time of leisure for many Europeans. The first book on fly fishing, A Treatyse of Fysshynge with an Angle, by Dame Juliana Bemers whom was one of the first people to name common flies used in the sport of fly fishing as mayflies, stoneflies, caddis flies, and midges.

Equipment of this time was a far cry from the selection of modern days. Reels hadn’t been invented, instead, winches (the early and simple ancestor of reels) were used instead. Winches didn’t have drag control, weren’t automatic, and in the basic sense, were used for little more than just holding line. Lines of flax and leaders of fine silk thread were employed as a substitute for modern synthetics. Rods of ash and oak wood were utilized other than bamboo, carbon, and fiberglass.

Early flies were crude imitations of actual insects. The earliest patterns were meant to represent food that had died or fallen beneath the surface of the water. These primitive representations would sink under the water and, hopefully, would be taken by a fish. This was only effective if flies were falling from the sky while you were fishing, or while flies where hatching.

Tactic's of today's anglers where developed centuries ago. Basic casts and fly presentations were since their development has remained the same. Even most of the rivers, streams, and lakes that were fished when the sport was young are still very productive. History is a large part of the fly fisherman. However even though many fly fishermen respect and enjoy the pastimes interesting past, few know it well.

Fly fishing has since evolved greatly. Reels of steel and carbon along with rods of fiberglass, carbon, and bamboo can catch fish much easier than before. Flies now float on the water or sink to the bottom. Fly patterns now are usually more imitative, or more attractive than original designs. Yet the basic sport remains the same, a fly tied to a line cast a fish that is looking for something to eat.

One of the main parts of fly fishing besides the sport itself is the art of fly tying. Fly tying is the art of making a fly or some lure to catch fish using materials like hair, feathers, quills, foam, and many synthetic products. Almost anything that can be tied onto a hook can be used in the process of making a fly. Most fly fishermen tie their own flies. It is a great feeling to catch a fish of a fly that you made yourself.