You're Not Fooling Anyone: Anglercore - The Problem with Fly Fishing 'Fashion'

Not the First Time Fashion Mixed With Fly Fishing

In 2011, feathers became such a trendy hair accessory that fly fishing stores struggled to keep Grizzly Hackle in stock. Hairstylists frequently bought out entire inventories, leaving fly anglers without the materials needed to tie their flies.

The owner of the fly shop I frequented would put some hackle to the side for his regular fly fishing customers. The buying process felt like a drug deal going down. He would bring you to a back room where he kept his stock of feathers. He charged the fly anglers the regular price, and the hairstylist a higher price, knowing the hairstylist was charging their customers an exorbitant amount for a single feather woven into their hair. It was strange times.

Keeping it In Perspective

Am I truly suffering because of this latest fashion trend? No. My motivation is to point out that for those of us who fly fish and authentically live the lifestyle that comes with it, it's not a fashion statement. We would never wear a fly vest around town because of the cred it gets us. Wearing a costume to look the part without actually playing the part, if you are an adult, comes across as silly with a hint of desperation. I know it's not harming anyone, but I can't help but call it out. KB

"The gods do not deduct from man’s allotted span the hours spent in fishing.” - Herbert Hoover