The Guide to Urban Fly Fishing

A one-of-a-kind guide that reveals the accessibility, affordability, community, and unique adventures that urban waters offer.

While city dwellers often turn to hiking, biking, or simply enjoying a local park as healthy pastimes that don’t come with high costs or distant travel, one rewarding pursuit remains largely untapped in urban environments: fly fishing. For over a thousand years, fly fishing has been more than a method of harvesting food; it’s a source of immense joy, a pathway to understanding nature intimately, and a tradition that connects us to water and wildlife. But why should this enriching experience be confined to remote waters and rural landscapes? Why can’t we cast a line right in the heart of our cities?

The Guide to Urban Fly Fishing shatters the stigmas and preconceptions—elitism, exclusivity, and notions of purity—that have kept fly fishing from thriving in urban settings, revealing how the sport is truly accessible to all. More than just a how-to, the book provides the tools, resources, and diverse stories to help us discover the vibrant community and joy of urban fly fishing.

Packed with dynamic photos, this book also serves as a comprehensive guide for those new to fly fishing in general, as well as for anglers who have yet to explore urban waters. Filled with practical
insights and tips from experienced urban anglers from several cities, it is also a call to action—inspiring us to advocate for the health of our urban waters and ecosystems.

"It's time to grab your fly rod, and this fine book, and explore the wild adventures available in the city."—Fly Fisherman