The idea of going without a strike indicator (bobber) has sent shockwaves through a local marriage. Recently discovered text messages between a husband and his friends have left his wife concerned. Unfortunately, Euro Nymphing is even scarier than a husband cheating on his wife. It’s the latest trend in…fly fishing.
“He and his friends just keep talking about it. Is this some mail order thing?”
– Concerned Wife
Upon realizing this, the man’s wife instantly recalled her husbands foray into Spey fishing. Hundreds of dollars spent, hours of YouTube videos watched, all to catch fewer fish than with conventional methods. Just when you think fly fishing couldn’t get any more esoteric, a 10ft 3-weight rod arrives on your doorstep. Of course we could delve into all the intricacies of fly fishing but for the sake of time we’ll focus on the topic du jour: Euro Nymphing.
For the uninitiated – nymphing is the process of catching fish on a fly that floats below the water’s surface. Often, this is done with a bobber to indicate when the fish has taken the fly so you can set the hook. Euro nymphing is a specialized version of this. Instead of using your normal fly rod, you buy an entirely different one that’s longer and more delicate (making it more susceptible to getting slammed in a car door). With this special rod you’re able to feel the fish eat the fly as opposed to relying on your bobber. Get it? Me neither. But it’s precisely these quirks that make fly fishing what it is. If it weren’t expensive or novel, then everyone would do it. And we certainly don’t want that.
-publius
The Huck 