When it comes to fly-fishing, he's hooked

A funny thing happened when Dr. Burt A. Adelman, executive vice president for development at Cambridge biotech giant Biogen Idec, bought a fly rod for his son Ian on his 16th birthday.

''He got religion," recalled Adelman. ''He started casting out on our front lawn and going out every chance he got."

Adelman, who enjoyed ocean fishing, was faced with a choice. ''If I wanted to continue fishing with my son, I had to learn how to fly-fish."

One of his first stops was Concord Outfitters, a fly-fishing gear and clothing shop not far from Adelman's home. Shop owner Andy Bonzagni took Adelman out on a private fishing lesson on the Swift River in Belchertown.

''I didn't catch any fish, but I got hooked," said Adelman.

That trip, about four years ago, was the start of an obsession. On a recent shopping trip to Concord Outfitters, Adelman tried on a pair of Patagonia felt-soled fishing boots that cost about $130. River fishing boots need to be replaced about every four years. Plain-felt soles provide good grip on slippery rocks, but soles with tungsten carbide studs provide extra grip on rivers with algae growth.

And rods? One standout was an Orvis ''Frequent Flier" rod. It breaks down into seven short sections, making it convenient for traveling anglers who want to stash their rods in carry-on bags. At around $200, ''It's a great rod at the price," said Adelman. Added Bonzagni: ''It's also easier to sneak into and out of your house without your wife noticing."

As fly-fishing has grown, popularized by movies such as the 1992 film of Norman Maclean's novel ''A River Runs Through It," a mystique has developed around exotic and ultra-expensive equipment. Adelman inherited an antique bamboo rod from his father-in-law and gave it to his son. During an outing, one section broke, requiring a $700 repair.

But Adelman has little patience for that aspect of the hobby. ''I love the equipment and the toys," he said, ''but I think a lot of it is myth. If the river is healthy and the fish are hungry, you'll be able to catch something."

Still, he said, there's no substitute for a minimal level of proficiency -- and that means learning how to cast. Fly fishers treat the sport like an art. Anglers wade in, gracefully casting flies that land gently on the surface of the water.

''It's a technical skill, and you need good instruction to get the hang of it," Adelman said. ''If you don't reach a minimum level of know-how, you'll be a frustrated person." Concord Outfitters offers a day of instruction on a local river for two for $250.

Adelman spends much of his professional life developing promising drug candidates, shepherding them through years of clinical trials, and negotiating with the regulatory agencies for approval. Does fly-fishing provide a pastoral retreat? As is typical with Adelman, the reality is simpler.

''Rivers are the most fragile component of our environment," he said. ''A trout stream is a clean river, and fishing provides an opportunity for me to be an advocate to help clean up the rivers."

Jeffrey Krasner can be reached at krasner@globe.com.