How is fly fishing characterized?

Fly fishing is characterized by the use of a specialized technique that involves casting a lightweight fly line, which carries an artificial fly to the target fish. The correct answer emphasizes that in fly fishing, a significant feature is using a line that is weighted to allow the angler to cast effectively, while the fly itself is typically unweighted. This enables the angler to place the fly delicately on the water surface to mimic the natural behavior of the insects or bait the fish are feeding on.

The stipulation of "no more than 3 unbaited hooks" closely aligns with many regulations governing fly fishing, which often limit the use of hooks to maintain the sport's intent and ensure sustainability of fish populations.

The other options deviate from the main principles of fly fishing. For instance, using multiple baited hooks is not characteristic of fly fishing, where a single (often unbaited) fly is used. A fishing rod without line weight misrepresents fly fishing, as the weight of the fly line is a key component in the casting technique. Lastly, fishing without a hook contradicts fly fishing principles as the goal is to catch fish using flies that have a hook, albeit often smaller and differently designed than traditional fishing gear. This reinforces