I have been a flyfisher for over 40 years. When I got my first VCR, I started recording every trout-related flyfishing show that I could. Consequently, I have a collection of easily more than 500 shows. However, in the last year and a half, I have probably recorded less than a half dozen shows, not because of a lack of interest, but because of a lack of shows to record. Whereas 10 or 15 years ago it seemed like I was recording at least one show per week and sometimes as many as 3, nowadays I can hardly find ANY flyfishing shows. Shows like Flyfishing the World, Fly Fishing America, Trout Unlimited Television, Fly Fishing Video Magazine and Fly Fish TV are all history. Even Familiar Waters seems to have stopped over a year ago. The only flyfishing show that remains is The New Fly Fisher (on PBS), but even it doesn’t seem to broadcast on a regular basis. I’ve looked on the Outdoor Channel and the Sportsman Channel, but they seem to have almost totally ignored us flyfishermen; there was one flyfishing show that used to appear on the Outdoor Channel, but I didn’t think it was even worth recording. So back to my question. Is flyfishing losing its popularity???
P.S. Last year I emailed the Outdoor Channel asking them why they were broadcasting so few fishing shows (of any type) and they replied that the "new schedule" would address this. It didn’t. I also recently emailed the Sportsman Channel and they didn’t even have the courtesy to respond to my email. Obviously, I don't think much of these two channels.
-- Edited by Nohackle2 on Monday 22nd of September 2014 11:36:07 AM
I'm 68 and I believe one of the reasons fly fishing is losing ground is that the equipment is getting so expensive. I remember reading Field & Stream when I was young and one of the writers, Ted Trueblood, would talk about the reel as if it was where you stored your line. For under a hundred dollars I could buy whatever equipment I needed to fish. Now I see people spending $500 for a reel to fish in small streams. Give me a break. Hell, I would just pull in those fish on the line and release them and keep fishing. What do you need an expensive reel on small streams for. The same with rods. You can't go to a fly shop and see any low end equipment. Everything is expensive. When i travel to different destinations I see people out on the river decked out in outfits that must cost a couple of thousand dollars, and they can't cast or make a presentation to save their life. Fly fishing losing its popularity? I think normal people can't afford to give it a try.
It seems to me that there has been a loss of interest in most outdoor endeavors. Especially in our younger generations. There are a lot of other things competing for their limited attention. This is my personal experience with my two boys... At least since I've been fishing in the past 30 years, fly fishing has always been a niche sport even with the River Runs Through It bump. Couple that with the higher price of entry (at least perceived) and you have at least a partial explanation.
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I think the cost of gear probably does have something to do with it. From the waders and boots, to fly line, rod and reel. It's a major investment to get into the sport. Then you have the learning curve. It's frustrating and some don't get passed it and quit. I've invested in extra boots, waders because no one I know who actually does like to fly fish can't afford their own gear. Me personally, I think about it every day, when the next time I can "sneak" out to Putah will be, new ways to rig up for nymphs etc.
I'm only 40, but it seems in my lifetime that is has gained in popularity. Especially in the last 10 years. When I was a kid in the 80s it didn't seem like anybody else was really fly fishing anywhere. I felt like it was just me and my family, everybody else had spinning rods. Used to get weird looks everywhere I went. Now I really don't see spinfisherman that often on rivers. Lakes are kind of a different story.
Last time I fish the Trinity River I didn't see anybody with spinning gear but hundreds and hundreds of fly fishermen, maybe even a thousand. That place is so freaking crowded.
I agree with Bob, cable cost a FRIGGIN fortune with internet but no home phone. I'm must say that YouTube has a ton of stuff just not like we're used to asfar as contemporary tv shows. I've been after salmon steelhead fly tying videos, and have found alot of good ones , small steps missing but all different methods to the madness. There are afew podcasts around, but there is alotta content on the net.
I have seen a significant resurgence in angling in the last 5 to 10 years. Including the rise of competitive collegiate and high school bass clubs and a massive increase in guides (not so happy about that one, especially after the Disinformative Fisherdope blew up Putah...)
As for fly fishing, I think it has a time and place but requires more money/equipment as well as a deeper depth of knowledge in order to succeed in catching good quality fish. Generally I think of it as a good fly guy will catch more but smaller fish and I don't think that interests the younger folk. I shouldn't even say this but fly fishing upper Putah has never quite seemed logical for numerous reasons. When I hit the high Sierras and fish riffles I see a purpose, although I can keep up just about anywhere with the best of fly fishermen but that's rare.
