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.