Fishing Flies for All Fly Fishing Applications

Fishing flies are lures for fly fishing.

Their main purpose of these lures is to fool the fish into taking the hook. And they are designed to imitate the natural diet of the different fish species targeted by fly anglers.

Although ready-to-fish fly lures can be bought from most tackle shops or from the Net, many fly fishermen prefer to tie their own. So was I, when I was so much younger then, when my eyesight was able to spot a fish thousands of miles away, but not now with my shaky fingers.

Years back these lovely lures were not cheap and limited patterns were available in most tackle stores, tying your own was the best solution. And also the satisfaction derived from your own creation when the targeted fish took your lure -- something to brag about.

These lightweight lures are entirely handmade from a variety of natural and synthetic materials. And they range from a tiny bug for panfish to a big streamer for marlin. They are divided into 5 main types such as dry or wet flies, nymphs, bugs and streamers.

Dry

This type of lures is designed to float on the water surface that imitates an adult insect found on the surface of ponds, lakes, rivers and streams. As they are designed to float on the surface they must be made with materials that are buoyant. They are ideal for trout and salmon. Primarily they are used for freshwater fly fishing with floating line.

Wet

These wets are almost similar to dries that have wings designed to sink upon entering the water. Materials like heavier hooks and lead wiring are added when tying these lures to help them to sink. They are ideal for smallmouth and largemouth bass fishing as well as trout and salmon.

Nymphs

Nymphs are also sinking lures that imitate immature aquatic insects without wings. Most often they represent the larval or papal stage of caddis and dragonfly. Trout is the main target of these lures which represent their basic food. And like all sinking fishing flies added weights like wire, lead or metal are needed to help the lures to sink.

Bugs

Bugs are also known as poppers. They are floating lures and made into shapes of frogs, rodents or injured baitfish with light materials to enable them to float on the surface of the water. This type of lures is used in both fresh and saltwater.

Streamers

Streamers are designed mainly to look like baitfish as well as worms and leeches. They may be used in large freshwater lakes and rivers. And streamers are the most popular among saltwater anglers. They are made for catching predatory species like tiger fish, Muskie, pike, striped bass, trout and salmon as well as saltwater species like bonefish, sailfish, steelhead, tarpon, giant trevally and many other pelagic species.

The variety of fly patterns is endless. Some fishing flies are small and light, some are big and heavy, and some are too beautiful to fish with, and they often catch the anglers than the fish. So if you do not have shaky-fingers like me you should try to tie your own flies.

Back To Top: Fishing Flies

Fly Fishing

Fly Fishing Equipment

Home

Custom Search