Fishing Flies

Josh — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 20:00:29 +0000

There are a couple main types of fishing flies that you can use for your every day fishing, and you are going to want to know the right place to employ the different types, because they won't both work at the same time. Depending on what mood the fish are in, you are going to have to give them a lure that satisfies their appetite in order to get bit. The conditions that you will face, and how to determine which bait to use really come down to whether or not the sun is out and shining bright down onto the water, or if it is darker at night, or the sun is hidden behind the clouds. If you can tell whether it is day or night, or if it is bright or cloudy, then you can easily decide which bait to use. You should understand why each of the types of fly fishing flies work under the conditions we say to really get the most use out of them though.

The first type of fishing fly is a dry fly, or weightless fly. These types of fishing flies rest on top of the waters surface causing a minor commotion, getting the attention of any nearby predator fish. These are often poppers, buzzers, and small spider floaters. They come in a lot of different sizes, but for the most part they are miniature to tiny. Most trout fishing flies and bass fishing flies are topwater, or weightless dry flies because of the way that these fish enjoy hitting baits sitting on top of the waters surface. You can get away with using them on other species, but these are the two main species that dry flies are used for.

photo credit: rgarwood

The other type of fly is a wet fly, or weighted fly that will sink through the water column and different speeds determined by how fast the current is moving, and what type of weights are being used on the fly. A lot of saltwater fishing flies are weighted to get down and stay put through the rough currents, as well as saltwater fish preferring a bait that is moving through the water instead of on top. In a rough chop, or moving current it is really hard to properly work a topwater bait, while not impossible, under these conditions it is better to use weighted wet flies to get their attention. Tarpon fishing flies are one of the best examples of these types of flies, because of the way that the fish hide in the mangroves, and other areas, you really have to get the fly in front of their face without it moving downstream too much.

If you are out fishing and the sun is shining bright, your best bet is going to use a wet fly that will get in front of the fish, or underneath them where they are going to be focusing their eyes. Fish don't have any eyelids, and therefore are unable to look up for their meals when the sun is bright overhead. If it is cloudy, dark, or you are fishing at night, you will want to use a dry fly because the fish will be looking up from the bottom for their meal. Try using these tips the next time you are on the water to start seeing more success from your fishing flies.

Specialist Fishing » saltwater fishing flies

Fishing Flies