Mantia Studio

Fly fishing is a wonderful and relaxing sport for those who have the inclination to try their hands at it.  One of the most important and essential requirements for the sport, though, is a good supply of fly fishing flies.  There are a couple of directions you can choose when selecting flies for your sport – you can choose to purchase them from a fly fishing shop or you can discover the art of fly tying, which is not quite as difficult as it may first seem.

If you decide to purchase your fly fishing flies from a shop, you will discover that there is a wide range of flies from which to choose.  This can be a bit overwhelming if you are somewhat new to the sport of fly fishing.  So, to help you decide, below is some helpful information about the different types of fly fishing flies available to you.

One of the major types of flies you will have to choose from includes wet fly fishing flies.  These particular flies are designed to resemble certain insects in the water.  The idea behind wet fly fishing flies is that the fish will be drawn to them, believing that they are drowned or aquatic insects, or either larvae swimming to the surface to hatch.  The purpose behind wet fishing flies is encourage the fish to bite by imitating insects in motion.

Another type fishing fly that you will encounter is dry fly fishing flies.  These types of fly fishing flies are made to resemble insects floating on the surface of the water.  Many dry fly fishing flies depend on surface tension to remain afloat and need to be oiled.  Check with your local fly fishing shop for more information on using and maintaining these flies.

One other type of fly you will encounter is nymph fly fishing flies.  These flies are supposed to imitate insects that live under water and also can also resemble certain larvae.  You may have to weight these flies to keep them beneath the water.

Streamer fly fishing flies are bit different from the other types of flies, in that their purpose is not to imitate insects, but rather to appear like injured fish.  These particular flies are a good choice if you are fishing for a predatory species of fish.

If you decide not to purchase your fly fishing flies, your next option for flies is learning the art of fly tying.  With a bit of patience, fly tying can be fun and rewarding and also  help to reveal your creative nature.  When you are tying your own flies, a few things are essential – selecting the right knot and also tying the knot properly.  Impatiently and poorly tied knots result in less fish for you.

If you have decided to tackle fly tying, there are three basic steps to the process – lubricating the knot, seating the knot, and trimming the knot neatly. 

When you are lubricating your knots for flies, you should do so by dipping the knot in water.  Doing this helps the knots to slide and seat properly.  Lubricating your knots will also decrease the amount of heat generated, which can damage and weaken the monofilament.  This heat is created by friction when your knots are drawn up tight.

In order to properly seat the knots for your fly fishing flies, you will tighten them with a steady and continuous pull.  Make certain that your knots are secure and tight.  After you have tied the knot, check it by pulling on the line and leader to be certain it holds.

After your knots are lubricated, tied, and seated, you will need to trim them neatly.  You can accomplish this task by using a pair of nippers to trim the material as closely as possible.  Be sure not to damage the fly tying knot in the process.

You should be aware that do not have to spend a fortune fly tying.  Often, you can find inexpensive materials around your home for use in your fly tying projects.  Some things that you may consider include dryer lint, hair from your dog, beads, and brightly colored yarn.  A visit to your local fly shop will also yield results.

Whether you decide to purchase your fly fishing flys or try your hand at fly tying, the most important thing is that you enjoy yourself in the process.  Once you become proficient at selecting your fly fishing flies or tying your own, you will be well on your way to a huge catch.