The Art of choice (Techniques and Flies)

Fly fishing is an art of choice, it can require careful consideration of numerous factors to be successful. One of the most crucial is the selection of the fly. Understanding the fish species you are targeting and the current conditions on the water, is crucial for a successful day fly fishing. Every day is different on the water so being able to adapt daily to conditions will mean all the difference. In this article, I will explore different types of flies, from drys to streamers, and their specific timing and uses when approaching the water.

Dry Flies: Floating Elegance

Dry fly fishing is the backbone of our sport. Timing is everything as fishing with dry is only good at certain times during the day, seasons, and year. Dry flies imitate insects that float on the surface of the water, making them your go-to choice when fish are actively feeding on the top. Dry Flies are designed to mimic adult insects, which have already hatched and are now moving along in the air outside the water, Mayflies, caddisflies, and stoneflies are all examples of adult aquatic insects. Most dry flies are typically made with buoyant materials like feathers, hair, or foam, allowing them to stay afloat, imitating live bugs moving on the surface of the water. Dry flies are ideal for targeting trout when they are feeding up on the water surface which is all dependent on your bug hatch for that day. Not always the most productive way to start unless you've arrived and see fish rising. When selecting a dry fly your best bet is to try and match size profile and color to the bugs that are currently on the water. Sometimes looking in a back edies or slower water, you’ll be able to see the bugs on the surface, so match your fly accordingly to what you have in your box.

Wet Flies: Submerged Temptations

Swinging wet flies is another age-old technique in fishing, Wet flies are designed to be fished beneath the water's surface, imitating insects in their nymphal or emerging stages, and also mimic small baitfish or other aquatic organisms. Wet flies are very versatile and can be fished in many different ways, such as dead drifting, swinging, or stripping to name a few. They can be effective for getting picky fish to feed from below the surface, and extremely good when the hatch is just starting and fish are feeding on emerging insects. Fishing wet flies is a good choice when exploring new waters or if you are on the water before the hatch. When selecting your wet flies start with looking in the water to see what kinda nymphs are under rocks, or what is hatching currently. Match profile color and size and add weights to get to your desired dept. Depth is key in all subsurface fishing so understanding your weight is important to finding feeding fish.

Nymphs: Subsurface Allure

The most effective method of fly fishing for trout and the most versatile and productive way to generally start your days nymphing. Nymphs imitate the immature form of aquatic insects, which are a primary food source for trout. These flies are designed to sink and drift naturally in the water column, imitating the behavior of nymphs as they move along the riverbed. Nymph fishing requires a delicate presentation and precise control of the fly's depth. With so many ways to nymph from euro to bobbers picking your flies comes down to two things and that is depth and hatch, getting the flies to where the fish are and then imitating their food. Multiple fly rigs are very common so larger heavier fly in front followed by smaller more hatch-oriented fly behind is a great place to start.

Streamers: Provoking Aggression

Hunting with meat, streamer fishing is looking for aggressive fish that are looking for big snacks. Streamers are larger, more substantial flies that imitate baitfish, leeches, or other small aquatic creatures. They are typically fished with an active retrieve, imitating the movement of injured or fleeing prey. Chucking streamers is known for aggressive strikes from predatory fish, such as trout, bass, pike, and muskie. These flies are particularly effective in murky or low-light conditions and also known for bad weather days when hatches are minimal. When selecting a streamer knowing what aquatic life lives in the water and what your target species is feeding on is essential so doing some research is always a good idea. Think about imitating your bait and don't be afraid of switching flies regularly until you find what they want. As always with subsurface fishing depth is key so make sure the fly is getting in the right water levels.

Matching the Hatch: Adapting to Conditions

When it comes to matching the hatch and selecting a fly that closely resembles the insects currently present in the water, the most important thing is slowing down and observing the behavior and appearance of insects on the water's surface. This can provide clues for fly selection. Pay attention to the size, color, and profile of the insects to choose a fly that closely mimics them. This principle goes for every one of the techniques above, learning the aquatic organisms in your targeted fishery will determine your success, and every body of water is different so learning to watch and adapt will be essential. Matching the Hatch comes down to how quickly you can adapt and apply the right technique for any given moment, and understanding when to do what.