The unseen connection between fly fishing and pro football

This year I've been watching more pro football than in the past few. I was born and raised in Pittsburgh and have seen the ups and downs of a team from the highest to the lowest, so it's hard not to be attached.

Believe it or not, fly fishing and professional football have more in common than you might think. Sure, one involves wading through serene rivers while the other features men charging through defensive lines, but the similarities are as striking as a linebacker's tackle. Here's why I think fly fishing is basically the pro football of the great outdoors.

Drafting the perfect team: rod, reel, and flies

Just as a football team scouts and drafts top players, a fly angler assembles a top-notch team of gear. Choosing the right rod (your quarterback), the perfect reel (your reliable running back), and the most tempting flies (your wide receivers) can make or break game day.

If your rod can't make the long casts, you're not getting that touchdown — I mean trout. Building the roster from scratch? A matched rod and reel combo is the equivalent of drafting a package deal, and my 5 step guide to selecting beginner gear is the scouting report.

Training camp: practice makes perfect

Every football player knows the grind of training camp, and every fly angler understands the endless hours practising the perfect cast. In Pittsburgh it's Latrobe where all the preseason magic happens; in your neck of the woods it probably has its own traditions.

Either way there's wrist flicking, stepping into the cast, and mastering the art of stealth and deception. It's less about sweat and more about getting soaked, but the rigorous repetition is just as intense. You're not just tossing flies — you're executing strategic plays against wily aquatic opponents. They just don't always know they're playing.

Fly fishing gear compared to football equipment

Game day: strategy and stamina

Just like in football, each fly fishing trip is game day. Anglers, like coaches, come equipped with strategies — knowing when to switch flies or try a new stretch of river. It's all about reading the environment.

Yep, it's my common phrase "situational awareness," which is as close to a Tomlinism as I'll get for those who follow the Pittsburgh coach and his wine liners. Is it rainy? Windy? What's the river defence throwing at you today? Adjust your game plan accordingly, whether that's dropping back for a long cast or sneaking up on an elusive brown trout hiding under the bank or along a log.

That's essentially what my OSSCP fly selection formula systematises — observation first, then everything else.

The playbook: knots and techniques

Every football team has a playbook, and so does every serious fly angler. Whether it's the intricate art of tying knots or the precise technique of a roll cast, these are your secret plays.

And like any good football fan knows, sometimes you have to throw a Hail Mary — like when you cast into what seems like an impossible spot. Mostly, though, I find it important to cast with precision and always look at the tape after each play to improve.

Your actual playbook: 10 great fly fishing knots, each with a video, and the Formula for Systematizing Your Cast.

Halftime adjustments: snacks and stories

Halftime in football is for pep talks and strategising for the second half. In fly fishing it's about refuelling with a sandwich on the riverbank and maybe a beer — just one, we're responsible here.

It's also about swapping tales of the one that got away and planning for the next big catch. Observation can be key when you sit back and take it all in.

The fans: a community of enthusiasts

Just as football has its die-hard fans, fly fishing has a community who live and breathe the sport. These are folks who spend days off tying flies instead of tailgating, but the camaraderie is just as palpable. And instead of jerseys they have waders — each with a story as unique as a fan's face paint.

More alike than you thought

So there you have it. Fly fishing might just be the pro football of the sporting world — full of strategy, skill, and a bit of showmanship. Whether you're dodging linebackers or casting lines, it's all about the thrill of the chase and the glory of the catch.

Final whistle: join the team

If you're ready to trade your football for a fly rod, or you're just looking for tips to up your game, keep following the blog. Whether on the field or in the stream, every day is game day.

Kitting out? Browse fly rods, reels and combos and fly pattern assortments — and grab your own team colours from the hats and gaiters while you're at it.

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