A Guide to Photographing Your Fly Fishing
Good gear only gets you so far. Here's how to actually capture the stillness, the cast, and the catch worth remembering.
Fly fishing can create memories that last a lifetime. It's something Angelica Talan previously touched on in her 'Creating Memories One Fish at a Time' post, where she shared how fly fishing became her and her daughter's haven — a source of happiness, a chance to bond, and a way to de-stress. You might view fly fishing the same way, which is why you enjoy doing it over and over.
So it is important to photograph your adventures, preserve those memories, and document your catch at the same. With that in mind, here's a handy guide to get you started:
Invest in a camera
Being a type of outdoor photography, it pays to have a great camera to take some photos of you fly fishing. Fortunately, today’s cameras are exceptionally good, according to an article on The Verge about outdoor photography camera kits. The Verge’s Brent Rose started with the affordable Canon entry-level 6D, followed by the bang-for-the-buck Sony A7s, before going with the full-frame, high-end Sony A7R III — a succession that illustrates the range of choices you have. Indeed, the collection of photography equipment on Adorama shows how there are top of the range cameras for every budget, like the $3,599 Canon EOS R6 Mirrorless Digital Camera, the $1,696 Nikon Z5 Full Frame Mirrorless Camera, or the $799 Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV. With the number of choices available, you're all but guaranteed to find the right camera to capture those great fly fishing memories.
Practice!
Yes, practice makes perfect. It’s not for nothing that renowned fly fishing photographer Brian O'Keefe advises novice fly fishing photographers to keep practicing. O'Keefe notes that photography involving live subjects "is just a lot harder," which makes constant practice even more important. "All photography takes practice and decent equipment," he explains. O'Keefe adds: "My best tip is to go to really pretty places and hold your camera still." You'll get the hang of it eventually — at which point you can start experimenting with interesting angles, varying camera modes, and different lighting.
Be unconventional
The best photographs are unique in some way. It could be the angle, the lighting, or the subject choice itself. That said, you'll need to think out of the box when taking those fly fishing photos. Look to capture something extraordinary — the more offbeat, the better. Moreover, try to show the entire spectrum of the fly fishing experience, from the mundane (e.g. waiting in still water) to the magnificent (e.g. getting that prized catch) and everything else in-between.
Respect everything... and everyone
Finally, don't let your excitement of getting that perfect shot go to your head, to the point of harming the surrounding environment. If you're looking to take catch-and-release photos, for instance, make sure you keep the fish as stress-free as possible. Make sure that you follow river etiquette while fishing and taking pictures. Three rules to take note, as discussed in a Vail Daily feature on river rules, are keeping the environment clean at all times, giving space to fellow anglers, and sharing your spot with others. This way, you get to have fun and take great photos the right way.
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