Fly fishing is a beloved pastime for millions of anglers worldwide. Unlike conventional fishing, fly fishing uses specialized rods, lines, reels, and lures to mimic insects and baitfish, enticing fish to strike at these artificial offerings.
Choosing the right fly is essential for success on the water. With a large selection of patterns to choose from, it can be daunting for beginners to know where to start. This guide breaks down four of the main types of flies used in fly fishing, providing tips on when and how to fish them effectively.
Dry Flies
Description
Dry flies float on the surface of the water, imitating the adult forms of aquatic insects. Common patterns include mayflies, caddisflies, stoneflies, hoppers, and terrestrials. They are typically made with buoyant materials like deer hair, polypropylene, calf tail, and elk hair.
| Type | Examples |
| Mayfly | Adams, Elk Hair Caddis |
| Caddisfly | Goddard Caddis, Henryville Special |
| Stonefly | Goddard Caddis, Stimulator |
| Terrestrial | Ant, Beetle, Grasshopper |
Usage Tips
Dry flies work best in calm waters when fish are actively feeding on the surface. They are extremely visible to fish and anglers, allowing for visual strikes. Presentation is key – a properly floated fly can elicit savage takes. Dead-drifting is often the most productive approach.
- Ideal during mayfly and caddisfly hatches
- Productive on smooth, slow-moving pools and slack water
- Allows you to target visible rising fish
Production Insights
- Bouyant deer hair or synthetics prevent soaked wings
- Hackle feathers allow flies to float upright
- Some patterns incorporate foam or cork bodies
As John Gierach wisely states:
“If fly fishing has a grammar, then dry flies are the adverbs. They’re not always necessary, but they add variety, interest and a little color.”
Wet Flies
Description
Wet flies sink below the surface to represent drowned or emerging insects, larvae, baitfish, and crustaceans. They feature soft hackles and materials that absorb water. This soaked profile better mimics organisms swept below the surface in faster currents.
| Type | Examples |
| Emerger | Partridge & Orange Soft Hackle |
| Larva | Gold Ribbed Hare’s Ear, Pheasant Tail Nymph |
| Baitfish | Woolly Bugger, Muddler Minnow |
Usage Tips
Wet flies shine when fish are feeding under the surface. The subtle presentation perfectly matches specific hatches. Fishing them effectively relies on maintaining control of the swing – let the fly move at the pace of the current.
- Deadly when fish are focused subsurface
- Allows fishing just under the surface film
- Drifting wet flies downstream can cover more water
- Imparting action (strips or twitches) can sometimes be key to triggering strikes
Production Insights
- Softer hackling materials absorb water
- Tinsel ribbing, beads and wire help flies sink
- Natural fibers like wool dubbing sway invitingly underwater
In the words of Lefty Kreh:
“On some days trout respond to a skittering dry fly when they ignore all other offerings. But I’ll stack my chances with wet flies.”
Nymphs
Description
Nymphs are designed to imitate the subsurface larval form of insects like mayflies, caddisflies and stoneflies. Weighted patterns sink towards the stream bottom. Their lifelike silhouette and movement provoke strikes from trout and other species.
| Type | Examples |
| Mayfly | Pheasant Tail Nymph, Rs2 |
| Stonefly | Pat’s Rubber Legs, Golden Stonefly |
| Scud | Peeping Scud |
Usage Tips
Nymphs are most effective when fish are actively feeding below the surface, especially near structure. Highly versatile, they can be fished using indicators, swing techniques, or stripped to imitate swimming nymphs.
- Productive early and late season when water temps are cold
- Adds weight to reach bottom of pools and runs
- Mimics vulnerable nymphs getting washed downstream
Production Insights
- Beads, wire, and slender dumbbell eyes get flies down fast
- Materials like hare’s ear and peacock herl pulse temptingly
- Rubber legs simulate small stonefly movements
In the timeless words of Art Flick:
“I have always looked upon the little black nymph, when it is properly dressed and fished, as the fly most certain to take trout, either large or small, than any other lure.”
Streamers
Description
Streamers imitate small baitfish or injured prey. Large profile flies fished “on the swing” provoke reaction strikes from aggressive trout and species like bass, pike and musky. Materials like marabou, rabbit fur and saddle hackles pulsate with life underwater.
| Type | Examples |
| Bucktail | Mickey Finn, Black Nose Dace |
| Marabou | Woolly Bugger, Marabou Muddler |
| Rabbit | Zonker, Matuka |
Usage Tips
Streamers excel at drawing reaction strikes from carnivorous fish. They tempt fish when other flies fail to produce. Vary retrieves until you discern the speed and action fish prefer.
- Perfect for targeting large, aggressive trout and bass
- Allows prospecting large areas quickly
- Erratic retrieves trigger instinctual strikes
- Ideal times include low light, off color water, high water
Production Insights
- Long rabbit strips and saddle hackles pulse seductively
- Flash materials (tinsel, mylar) represent fish scales
- Weighted dumbbell eyes or cone heads get the fly down quicker
Legendary angler Joe Brooks sums it up excellently:
“Of all the fishing lures man has ever invented, none has come so close to a live minnow as the streamer fly with its pulsating hackles and floating hair.”
How to Use Different Types of Fly Fishing Flies
Now that you have a grasp on the major categories of flies, we’ll cover how to apply that knowledge by properly matching flies to conditions.
Matching the Hatch
Imitating insects that fish are currently feeding is crucial. Carry a range of flies representing local hatches. If you observe trout sipping duns from the surface, tie on a comparable mayfly pattern.
- Identify key insects present in your waters
- Select fly sizes and colors that closely match natural specimens
- Observe insect behavior and lifecycles to discern what the fish are targeting
Seasonal Considerations
Fish appetites and feeding behavior shift with seasonal changes. Winter and early spring focus nymphing near the bottom with small dark patterns. As waters warm up, shift to small lightly colored nymphs and emergers. Summer often means terrestrials skittering across the surface. Have flies representing insects present during each season.
Water Conditions
Consider water flow, depth, clarity and temperature when selecting flies. Slow clear pools call for stealthy presentations with smaller flies. Higher off-color flows allow using larger and brighter offerings. Suspended fish hold in moderately paced runs and riffles. Match flies to zones fish occupy.
Casting Techniques
Each fly type requires specialized casts and presentations to animate them effectively. Floating dries demand delicate accurate placement. To swim streamers, use long strips retrieving line in rods lengths. Allow wet flies and nymphs to sink before starting controlled swings. Master these techniques to convince fish your offering is the real deal.
Practice is key – the more time on the water, the better read you’ll have on matching flies to conditions for consistent success.
Conclusion
While overwhelming at first, selecting flies simplifies greatly once fundamental types are recognized. Whether floating dries, swinging wets, dead drifting nymphs or stripping streamers, carrying a balanced arsenal covering water columns and species is essential. Armed with the knowledge of when and how to apply these four fly categories, a fulfilling day on the water awaits.
Quick Tips
- Match flies to locally present species as closely as possible
- Fish dry flies in calmer conditions on visually actively feeding fish
- Learn proper presentation techniques for each fly type
- As water warms up, focus on smaller light colored nymphs and dries
- Heavy nymphs and streamers shine early and late season
- Observe nature then let your fly choices be guided by what insects fish key in on
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best type of fly for beginners?
For those just getting started, many experienced anglers recommend perfecting techniques with easy-to-see dry flies. Fishing dries allows new fly casters to better observe the drift and detect subtle takes. Popular starter choices include parachute Adams, elk hair caddis and blue winged olive patterns.
How do I know which fly to use?
Examine your specific fishery to pinpoint key insects and baitfish active at different times. Try to closely replicate prey items fish are naturally feeding on with appropriately sized and colored flies fished at depths targets are holding. Local fly shops are invaluable resources to identify productive flies.
Can I use wet flies in any water condition?
While wet flies shine on choppier waters from moderate currents up to all but the heaviest rapids, they can produce in slower pools and back eddies as well. Adjust tactics accordingly – let them swing naturally in broken water but impart subtle action with hand twitches or strips in calmer spots.
What equipment is essential for fly fishing?
A balanced rod and reel matched to targeted species and fly sizes is vital. Carry a tapered floating line suited for most flies, with sink tips and full sinking lines for wet flies and streamers. Tippet strength should match flies – 4-6lb for tiny dries up to 2x tippets for bulky streamers. Round out gear with nippers, leaders, strike indicators and a net.
How often should I change my fly?
Persistence and patience when prospecting is key. But if going more than 20-30 minutes with no interest, consider changing flies, colors, sizes or retrieve speed. Experiment with different looks until something triggers ferocious strikes!
