| In fly fishing, flies are generally divided into four | | | | up to fast retrieves. Some times a take will |
| types of artificial flies. (Flies are also called lures in | | | | occur as the fly is sinking. For getting wets deep |
| some countries.) | | | | down, weighted or bead heads are effective, |
| They are: | | | | especially when combined with intermediate or |
| 1 Dry flies | | | | sinking fly lines. |
| 2 Wet flies | | | | |
| 3 Nymphs | | | | Nymphs are a very effective and a common |
| 4 Streamers | | | | world wide food source in rivers and |
| The categories of flies can cross into each | | | | lakes. Nymphs can be fished on the drop, |
| other. There are no real strict guidelines for | | | | drifting, and slow to medium retrieves, either just |
| classifying the flies as depending on the countries, | | | | under the surface or deep down. They imitate |
| traditions of terminology. (Some anglers also | | | | the underwater stage of insects like mayfly |
| classify emerges as another category of flies. | | | | nymphs, stoneflies and damselfly nymphs. A good |
| These sit partially underneath the surface and | | | | portion of a trout’s diet consists of nymphs in |
| partially on top of the water, imitating things like | | | | most seasons and waters. A long leader and |
| newly emerging mayflies.) | | | | tippet is effective for nymphing, especially in clear |
| | | | or over fished waters. |
| Dry flies sit on the top of the water. They | | | | Streamers are bigger wet flies imitating baitfish |
| imitate insects sitting on the surface like mayflies, | | | | like minnows, sculpins and bigger appetizing food. |
| midges, caddis flies, beetles, grasshoppers, spiders | | | | Streamers usually work best near the bottom |
| and spinners to name a few types. They can be | | | | and are generally quickly retrieved for salmon, |
| fished still, drifting with the current or wind, or | | | | bigger trout and also for saltwater fish. Bigger |
| fished with small twitches or rapid pulls. Using dry | | | | flies like streamers, may also result in a bigger |
| flies can be exhilarating experience as you can | | | | catch, although don’t be surprised when your |
| see the fish strike the fly. Dries are used | | | | four inch streamer lands a small twelve inch trout. |
| seasonally in lakes and rivers and are generally | | | | Artificial streamers can be colorful and have a |
| effective when fish are actively feeding on insects | | | | mixture of assorted fly tying materials. |
| on top of the water. Dry flies are normally | | | | Dry flies, wets, nymphs and streamers are all |
| made of light buoyant materials or are tied with | | | | effective in the right environment. The secret to |
| hackles that help the fly sit on the water | | | | getting the most out your fishing is to use |
| surface. A floatant spray or gel is applied to the | | | | different techniques and test all the time. |
| dry fly to make it buoyant. A couple of false | | | | Don’t be afraid to try different types of flies |
| casts will also help dry it. | | | | and patterns, especially if the fishing is slow. So no |
| | | | matter what country you live in and regardless of |
| Wet flies as the name suggest that the fly is | | | | how you classify your flies, just make sure you |
| fished in the water, either. The flies can imitate | | | | have various types of flies to cover all fly fishing |
| small baitfish, leeches, frogs, crawdad's and | | | | conditions and fish. Now you are ready to catch |
| swimming insects. Wets can be fished just | | | | the big one! |
| under the surface with dead drifts, slow twitches | | | | |