Fly fishing is a sport that constantly evolves due to the pursuit of greater success, environmental changes, and advancements in science. Each year, leading brands introduce new models of fly rods, reels, lines, and more. Hooks and fly-tying equipment also continue to develop, resulting in increasingly realistic patterns. Alongside improved polarized eyewear and evolving angling rules, the sport progresses relentlessly. Amidst this abundance of new gear, we often quickly forget the fundamental techniques and principles of fly fishing, which have a long but somewhat less-known history.

This intriguing activity developed relatively quickly, with the first recorded use of an artificial fly often credited to the Roman philosopher Claudius Aelianus at the end of the 2nd century. He described the Macedonian anglers’ practice on the Astraeus River, using red wool and feathers to create lures attached to a hook. Their six-foot rod and line complemented their fishing knowledge, successfully capturing fish attracted by vibrant colours. On the other side of the world, in Japan, a similar method of fly fishing, known as “Tenkara,” was practiced traditionally by professional mountain fishermen for catching local fish, including trout and grayling.

Despite having some museums in Slovenia that include collections of fishing gear, they can hardly compare in size to the collections of foreign museums. As fly fishing is a significant part of my life and I recently traveled to Germany, I couldn’t miss the opportunity to visit the German Hunting and Fishing Museum in Munich. Situated in the pedestrian zone since 1966, it is now one of the most important museums dedicated to hunting globally. Visitors are welcomed with impressive exhibits from the world of hunting and fishing, occupying approximately 3,000 square meters of exhibition space, featuring stuffed animals, hunting weapons, and a plethora of paintings, graphics, and hand drawings.

The museum, located in an older building with two large metal statues of a wild boar and catfish at the entrance, stands out. Despite its central location, the museum attracts relatively few passersby, providing me with a peaceful and uncrowded environment to thoroughly explore the collections. The entrance fee was a mere 5 euros, and immediately after purchase, a friendly guide greeted me, presenting the museum’s layout and providing basic information about its history and essential collections. The first artifacts were already present on the broad staircase, leading to the museum’s most recognizable hall displaying a collection of stag antlers. As the building was formerly the Church of St. Augustine, the atmosphere was breathtaking. Besides intriguing antique rifles, gunpowder flasks, and royal hunting tools, the beautiful oil paintings stole my attention, making me feel as if I were in an art gallery at times. These paintings are crucial as they provide information about the nature and organisms that existed in times before the camera. They serve as the only visual description of equipment, clothing, and moments during historical hunts. Although it’s clear that they are a somewhat unreliable source, as authors occasionally adjusted reality to suit their patrons’ demands, they offer insights into the past and an irreplaceable visualization of hunting tools, techniques, and the processing of harvested animals.

The tour then led me past the section dedicated to African wildlife to the fishing part of the museum. To my surprise, the majority of the display shelves were dedicated to fly fishing, which delighted me. The collection started with the earliest hooks and tools for primitive fishing, showcasing the increasing sophistication and progress through the decreasing size and thickness of the hooks. The oldest, clumsy fly patterns, fly-tying equipment, and special magnifying glass-like glasses were on display. The evolution of wooden rods was vividly explained, showcasing the transition from single-piece bamboo rods to split bamboo construction, representing a significant breakthrough. Similar rods have persisted to this day, valued for their uniqueness, catering to specific anglers. Numerous images of artificial flies, step-by-step guides on their creation, and materials needed for their production were on display. I recognized most of the fly patterns with enthusiasm and admired some, which, despite their long existence, remain highly effective.

Some of the most impressive displays were, however, the trophies. There was no shortage of them, featuring some of the largest fish ever caught, representing almost every species. The mounted fish were enormous, some comically plump, including the crucial Marble Trout. It reminded me of home, sparking a renewed enthusiasm and eagerness for the upcoming spring and the beginning of a new fishing season. Enriched and saturated with new knowledge, I bid farewell to the friendly museum staff and stepped into new adventures.

References:

Wikipedia. Fly fishing. Accessible at the link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fly_fishing Accessed 12 February 2024.

Simply Munich. German Hunting and Fishing Museum. Accessible at the link: https://www.munich.travel/en/pois/arts-culture/hunting-and-fishing-museum Accessed 12 February 2024.

Wikipedia. German Hunting and Fishing Museum. Accessible at the link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/German_Hunting_and_Fishing_Museum Accessed 12 February 2024.