Just when man first discovered that feather-covered hooks could be very effective fishing equipment is shrouded in the mists of time. Archaeologists believe that the fishing hook was discovered sometime around 30,000 years ago in southern Europe. The hooks, which were eventually provided with barbs, were first manufactured of bone and probably also of different wooden materials.

This mosaic shows fisherman of the Ancient world using flexible bending soft rods not the stiff stick rods you would imagine. Look at the design of his landing net. This mosaic was amongst others discovered in1933 at the Leptic Magna site in Tripoli and dates back to the 1st or 2nd century AD. It is the first ever record of a landing net.

In AD 200 the Roman Claudius Aelianus, his book On the Nature of Animais, described how people fished with a fly in the river Astracus in Macedonia. The prey is presumed to have been trout, since it had a "spotted exterior ".

The Macedonians "fastened red wool around a hook, and which in colour are like wax. Their rod is six feet long, and their line is the same length. Then they throw their snare, and the fish, attracted and maddened by the colour, comes straight at it, thinking from the pretty sight to gain a dainty mouthful; when, however, it opens its jaws, it is caught by the hook, and enjoys a bitter repast" These feather creations presumably were more reminiscent of today's jigs than of flies, but we have no reason to doubt their fishing ability. Although they probably fished mainly for their daily food, that does not mean that the Macedonians did not find pleasure in fishing with a rod and flies.

The history of fly tying is fascinating and although history is very important, at Scotland-Fishingflies we specialise on the most modern up to date techniques and fashions are. We stock a huge range of quality pre-tied flies, if you tie your own then our range of silks, fur, feather and equipment is second to none. To back up our stock and give you the best support possible Sandy Forgan, former Scottish fly fishing Internationalist, coach and team manager, is available should you require specific advice. You can contact Sandy by telephone on 01382 225427 or email here