Fly Fishing in Bali: An unknown fishing technique for the layman

Because the weight of the fly ‘lure’ is insufficient to overcome air resistance, it cannot be launched far using conventional gears and techniques hence specialized tackles are used and the casting techniques are significantly different from other forms of angling. It is also very common for the angler to wear waders, carry a hand net, and stand in the water when fishing.

Fly fishing in Bali primarily targets predatory fish whose diet consists of a significant amount of small-sized prey and can be done in either fresh or saltwater. Techniques for fly fishing differ with habitat (lakes and ponds, small streams, large rivers, bays and estuaries, and open ocean.)

Fishing in Bali is an absolute delight for its rich marine biodiversity and abundant underwater life. You can plan your Bali holidays by checking out some Bali Tour Packages and enjoy your dose of sun, sand, and sea.

Kinds of Fly Fishing in Bali

• Casting: Fly fishing is a method of casting the line rather than the lure, unlike other casting methods. Non-fly fishing methods rely on the lure’s own weight to pull the line from the reel during the forward motion of a cast. 

By design, a fly lure is too light and drags too much to be cast by its own momentum thus simply following the unfurling of a properly cast fly line which is heavier at the distal end and therefore more stable than lines used in other types of fishing. 

Due to the added mass of the fly line a tapered leader line, sometimes also a secondary leader called a tippet, is used to secure the lure to the fly line. Casting without landing the fly on the water is known as ‘false casting’, and may be used to pay out line, to dry a soaked fly, or to reposition a cast. Other casts are the roll cast, the single- or double-haul, the tuck cast, and the side- or curve cast.

• Spey Casting: Spey casting requires a longer, heavier two-handed fly rod, referred to as a “Spey rod”. Spey casting is essentially a large roll cast, developed on the Scottish River Spey where high banks do not allow space for the usual back cast. 

Spey casting is used for fishing large rivers for salmon and large trout such as steelhead and sea trout. Spey technique is also used in saltwater surf casting. All of these situations require the angler to cast large flies long distances. The two-handed Spey technique allows more powerful casts and avoids obstacles on the shore by keeping most of the line in front of the angler.

• Fly Fishing for Trout: Fly fishing for trout is a very popular sport, which can be done using any of the various methods and any of the general types of flies. Many of the techniques and presentations of fly fishing were first developed in fishing for trout. 

There is a misconception that all fly fishing for trout is done on the surface of the water with “dry flies.” In most places, especially heavily fished trout areas, success usually comes from fly fishing using flies called “nymphs” that are designed to drift close to the riverbed, also called “nymphing”. 

A trout feeds below the water’s surface nearly 90 percent of the time. Trout usually only come to the surface when there is a large bug hatch.  There are exceptions to this rule, however, particularly during the summer months and on smaller mountain streams, when trout often feed on terrestrial insects such as ants, beetles, and grasshoppers.

• Saltwater Fly Fishing: Saltwater fly fishing is typically done with heavier tackle than that which is used for freshwater trout fishing, both to handle the larger, more powerful fish and to accommodate the casting of larger and heavier flies. 

Saltwater fly fishing typically employs the use of wet flies resembling baitfish, crabs, shrimp, and other forage. However, saltwater fish can also be caught with poppers and other surface lures similar to those used for freshwater bass fishing, though much larger. Saltwater species sought and caught with fly tackle include bonefish, redfish or red drum, permit, snook, spotted sea trout, tuna, dorado (mahi-mahi), sailfish, tarpon, striped bass, salmon, giant trevally, and marlin. 

Offshore saltwater species are usually attracted to the fly by “chumming” with small baitfish, or “teasing” the fish to the boat by trolling a large hookless lure (Billfish are most often caught using this latter method).

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Places to visit for Fly Fishing in Bali

However, you should be prepared to catch much smaller fish than you would on a sea fishing tour and to use unique forms of bait (we recommend bringing your own fishing gear to Bali since it is hard to buy equipment and gear here for shore fishing. The locals use and make their own).

There is a growing trend of ultralight fishing or Fly Fishing in Bali now and you can bring superlight tackles and aim to see who can catch the smallest fish. If you want to fish on shores then Jimbaran Bay and Gilimanuk Harbor are great places to start. These areas are well-known for their fish and there are a lot of fish in the water close to shore. Some other places to visit for Fly Fishing in Bali are:

• Amed Beach
• The Nusa Islands (all three Nusa- Nusa Ceninggan, Nusa Penida and Nusa Lembongan are great places to go Fly Fishing in Bali)
• Lombok Strait (An Island near Bali is also a great place for Fly Fishing in Bali)

Not only Seas, but even freshwater Fly Fishing in Bali is possible at Lake Buyan and Lake Tamblingan. You can enjoy fishing here without a licence at 1,000 meters above sea level and you will find Tilapia and Catfish as your catch. These two lakes in North Bali are truly spectacular and the climate is a bit cooler than it is on the beaches.

Suggested Read: Unique Experiences in Bali

Fly Fishing in Tanjung Benoa Beach Bali