I saw a video of the late Lefty Kreh successfully casting a fly line with no rod. Of course, he wasn't a mere mortal. IslandJim

It's possible; tried it... not as far as Lefty Kreh. But still prefer to have a rod, reel is optional in some cases.

No Rod, No Reel


Rod, No Reel

Have y’all ever watched the show “Alone”? They drop people alone into the wilderness, usually on a lake or coastline, and the people have to catch or obtain their own food and make their own shelter. They get a few things to bring along, some hooks are an option and so is fishing line and paracord.

Most of the people seem to really struggle with the fishing aspect, in spite of being “survival” experts, that’s part of the requirements, you must have wilderness skills to get selected. Most people have to leave the show because they are starving to death. They get weighed and assessed once a week or so. The lakes they are on are generally teeming with fish, they just struggle getting them.

You get to use most any resource you find or can make to try and catch fish. There is no way I wouldn’t go on that show and not make a working fly fishing kit. No one has done it yet, but it wouldn’t be difficult I don’t believe. The right paracord would be great. Find a feather or obtain some fur, you are in business. Plenty of impromptu rods available. Reels, not necessary.

Easy enough! I should've been thinking a couple weeks ago on the BP Jetties - and given an old fly line to the handliners there! Interesting repurposing idea ...