The one great ingredient in successful fly-fishing is patience. The man whose fly is always on the water has the best chance. There is always a chance of a fish or two, no matter how hopeless it looks. You never know what may happen in fly-fishing.
- Francis Francis, 1862

The charm of fishing is that it is the pursuit of what is elusive but attainable, a perpetual series of occasions for hope.
- John Buchan, Lord Tweedsmuir

But, remember the back cast is the foundation, and that unless it is solid the superstructure will be rickety. Remember also that the motion of the rod through the air should be almost, or quite noiseless. Nothing offends the angler's ear more than the "swish" of a fly-rod. It is like a false note to an educated musical ear. It indicates a degree of force about as appropriate to the end in view, as a burglar's jimmy to opening a watch. This should never be, except possibly when casting directly against the wind or for distance only.
- Henry P. Wells, "Fly-Rods and Fly-Tackle", 1885

For the supreme test of a fisherman is not how many fish he has caught, not even how he has caught them, but what he has caught when he has caught no fish.
- John H. Bradley "Farewell Thou Busy World" - 1935

Deep down I've always known, fly fishing is to the rest of fishing what high seduction is to rape.
- Robert Traver - Trout Magic, 1974

When you fish with a flie, if it be possible, let no part of your line touch the water, but your flie only.
- Isaak Walton, 1496

The Essentials of a Good Fly-Hook The temper of an angel and penetration of a prophet; fine enough to be invisible and strong enough to kill a bull in a ten-acre field.
- G.S. Marryat

It seemed as if I might next cast my line upward into the air, as well as downward into this element which was scarcely more dense. Thus I caught two fishes as it were with one hook.
- H.D. Thoreau, on fishing in Walden Pond

Over the hill to Henryville 'Tis oft' the fisherman's cry For I'll catch a fourteen-incher With an artificial fly!
- Henry Van Dyke, 1898