Drones For Fly Fishing: Nuisance or Advantage?
We’re picking up on some strong opinions – both ways. What do you think? Check out these two videos which illustrate both sides of the story. Then take our super quick survey below. This article isn’t about what the best drone to buy is, we want to hear your opinion.
A drone isn’t going to help you match the hatch, present the fly, hook or land your fish. They cost money, and take time away from actually fishing. It can be really tricky to line up just the perfect shot of the fish you are playing (even when your fishing buddy is at the controls, and by the way he can’t fish while flying it), 
let alone the precise time when they take your fly. And they can be rather noisy, interrupting an otherwise peaceful trip to the river or lake. They’re more for professional videographers or a tech junkie’s play toy, and really don’t have a place in the fly fisherman’s toolkit. Especially if you’re serious about catching fish.
Not to mention, they can even tangle up your fly line. Check out the video below, which starts off cool enough. It’s pretty clear the drone didn’t help catch the fish, which are visible enough to the fly caster, and ultimately (about 1:30 minutes:seconds into the video), a back cast actually takes out the drone (or visa versa, not sure which). Case made: Nuisance.
Video credit: www.jukinmedia.com
The Case For Advantage
When well used, a drone can really add perspective. High up, with a view straight down, a well controlled drone can spot structure and cruising / holding fish you never would have seen. This is particularly the case in open water such as lakes and the ocean, where there’s no way you can scout as much water even with a boat. Because you can spot more fish, it stands to reason, you’ll probably catch more fish (that part’s still up to you!).
Drone captured footage of your outing is unmatched by anything you can do with a traditional video camera, GoPro, or other device. You can capture everything from broad perspectives and landscapes, all the way down to focus on fish taking your fly, fighting, and landing. For anyone who enjoys capturing memories of their hard-won fish, a drone brings home the video footage like nothing else. And if you’re a professional (lodge, guide, fly gear marketer), having a drone takes your imagery to an entirely different level. In fact, if you’re a fly fishing professional and don’t use a drone for at least some of your documentaries, you’re being left in the dust.
Check out this video, which shows amazing footage of not only catching and playing some beautiful lake “cutts,” but also of how these beautiful fish single out and nail individual baitfish from a school (otherwise known as a “bait ball”). This kind of unique footage (start at minute 2:00 if you’re short on time for the best views) doesn’t only increase our respect and awe for these fish, you can also take away some insights for how you need to present and work your streamer to catch them. Case made: Advantage.
Video credit: www.pyramidflyco.com
What Do You Think?
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