Fly fishing originated in 16th century England and later spread throughout Europe and the Americas, developing into many different styles over time. From small stream trout to big game fishing for marlin, sailfish, and tuna, fly fishing techniques can be applied across a wide range of species. The reason fly fishing is considered a high-difficulty fishing method is threefold:

The specialized fly fishing equipment has little in common with other fishing gear.

The casting techniques are difficult to learn and are easily affected by wind, with relatively short casting distances.

The primary "bait" in fly fishing is the fly itself, which must be presented directly to the target fish within a limited distance to have a chance of catching them. This places stricter demands on the choice of fishing location compared to other methods.

As fly fishing has grown in popularity globally, many fly fishing competitions have emerged. The World Fly Fishing Championship FIPS-Mouche began on April 23, 1989 as part of the CIPS International Fly Fishing Federation (founded in Rome in 1952). The goal of FIPS-Mouche is to promote fly fishing and its development worldwide, as well as to foster international friendship and healthy outdoor recreation through the competition.

Fly fishing also requires a large number of peripheral equipment, such as waders, landing nets, fish grippers, folding chairs, and so on. Roughly estimating, at least a dozen pieces of gear are needed for a single fishing trip.

Due to its high barrier to entry, fly fishing is not the most efficient shortcut to catching fish, but rather has become an outdoor recreational activity that requires passion and practice, similar to skiing or rock climbing.