Fly fishing enjoys something of a cult status these days. Even Red Sox pitcher Rick Porcello has described the pastime as an “obsession.’’

Eastern Massachusetts is not generally considered a hot bed for fly fishing. But there are plenty of opportunities for enthusiasts to cast their lines, including both freshwater and saltwater options.

For beginners, there is an array of shops and guide services that can provide the finer points of the craft, including Orvis stores at Legacy Place in Dedham and the Northshore Mall in Peabody (orvis.com); Concord Outfitters (concordoutfitters.com); Evening Sun Fly Shop in Pepperell (eveningsunflyshop.com), and Greasy Beaks Fly Fishing (bostonflyfishing.com). (all cq)

Cynthia Harkness , the fishing lead for the Orvis store in Dedham, calls fly fishing a “feed-the-soul sport.’’

“I enjoy catching fish, walking in rivers, seeing beautiful trout, watching the surf, staying outside for eight hours without looking at the time,’’ said Harkness, a Canton resident.

“I like the clothes, the places that fish bring me to – rivers, lakes, ponds, flats, oceans. I enjoy the fishing stories and the legends. The people you meet in the sport are enthusiastic, interesting, adventurous, passionate, and independent, but want to drive together to get to the rivers.’’

According to Andrew Bonzagni , owner of Concord Outfitters, the appeal of fly fishing boils down to “traveling to beautiful places and solving the puzzle that each new river and each species of fish presents.’’

“If you can set the time aside and your focus is on fishing, the bug life and your surroundings, there’s no better way too clear your head,’’ he added. “Eight hours on the river can go by in a blink of the eye.’’

Charles Shadan talks about his favorite activity in almost reverent terms.

“What I like most about fly fishing is that it is a total retreat into the beauty of nature, away from the complexities of daily life,’’said Shadan, Groton resident who owns the Evening Sun Fly Shop.

“It is the most wonderful therapy for one’s soul that I’ve found. Fly fishing connects the beauty of nature with conservation of our most precious resource – water – and also allows us to escape into an a Zen-like place.’’

Shadan lists the Swift, Millers, Squannacook, and Nissitissit rivers as his favorite fishing destinations in Massachusetts. The state’s Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs stocks a number of rivers and ponds throughout the state (a complete listing can be found at mass.gov) .

Eliot Jenkins, owner of the Greasy Beaks, prefers the brackish waters off Crane Beach in Ipswich. The open water of the ocean is also a bounty of fly fishing potential, but requires “heavier and stronger equipment to handle larger saltwater game fish,’’ said Bonzagni.

Fly fishing, like many pastimes, can be as expensive as the enthusiast would like. However, an introductory set-up, including fly rod, reel, line and lures, won’t break the bank.

“There are really only physical restrictions and possibly a real fear of the water that would keep someone from wanting to try fly fishing,’’ said Shadan. “It’s certainly not too expensive or difficult to learn. People from all walks of life enjoy the sport, and you don’t have to spend enormous amounts of money to get started’’

Fishing, said Jenkins, is something that has to be experienced to appreciate.

“The expressions of people who have never caught fish and try it for the first time are usually astounding,’’ he said.

“I take out neophytes frequently, and although they initially struggle with the cast, most people want to do it again. I’d say at least 30 percent of all people that I turn onto fishing become enamored with it and jump into the sport.’’

However, beginners should be aware that fly fishing, without any weighted lures, does require repetition to master.

“Learning how to cast is important, and takes some practice,’’ said Bonzagni.

“But just like learning how to ride a bike, once you understand it, you have it for life.’’

“Each species has a preferred food source, and the sooner you realize what they are eating the more successful you’ll become,’’ he said.

“The beauty of fly fishing is that if you can find open water, you can always find a species to catch on a fly.’’

To make fly fishing more accessible, Orvis stores offer free introductory lessons.

“Our 101 clinics last about two hours, and you can go to any local pond after that class with your fly rod and catch a fish. Classes are one hour outside casting and the other hour we are in the store going over the rod, reel, and line, and learning two simple knots (to attach flies).’’

The Dedham Orvis store has also launched a new Ladies Fly Fishing Club.

“It’s a chance for like-minded ladies of all ages and experience to come together and celebrate the sport,’’ said Harkness.

“We just had our first meeting at the store. I saw all ages of women, with all kinds of backgrounds, sharing their stories of how they got into the sport and plan some fun outings together. We’re tying up our own flies at the store at the end of the month, and then we’ll go together to the Kettle Ponds of Cape Cod to fly fish.’’

For a more extensive listing of guide services, visit The Fly Fishing Guide Directory at flyfishingguidedirectory.com/massachusetts.html.

If you have an idea for the Globe’s “On the Move’’ column, contact correspondent Brion O’Connor at brionoc@verizon.net.