When it comes to trout fishing flies, selecting the right fly is not an easy task. The varieties are endless and you can go crazy trying to dig through all the patterns and different variations of flies. Let us start off with the basics. There are three main categories of flies. There are wet flies, dry flies and nymphs. Now, depending on the fishing conditions the fly of choice will be different.

Dry flies go way back to the early 1800’s. Their name is derived from a fly that sits on top of the water. When a line is cast, the fly will float instead of sink. Dry flies are used for both upstream and downstream fishing. Common names for dry flies are May Flies, Caddis Flies and Stone Flies. There are many more names, but those are some of the most common.

Wet flies are only used when fishing upstream, casting across a stream or down a stream. Wet flies are some of the best to use, because they work on trout of any size. Wet flies are insects that are in between an adult fly and nymph. The nymph is often times tied directly onto the hook with a suitable weight and casted out across a stream. The idea with the nymph is to keep it underwater.

Some things to remember with flies, there is a fly for every condition. Take for instance shallow, clear water. For an environment like this a small dark fly will work the best. If the water is murky or muddy, a fly of brighter color works wonders. For the beginning of trout season the colors that always work the best are orange, black and yellow. Most fishermen use the single hook method, but to increase your chances of catching a fish, multiple hooks are recommended. For those that are beginners, using three hooks will boost your chances of success. Yet as you get more experienced, it is more humane to the fish to use less hooks.

As I mentioned before the right fly is needed for the right environment, yet this also holds true for the fish. Depending on fish type, different lures are needed. For example if you are looking for a fun time with lots of bites on your hook, then go after the Rainbow Trout. These little guys are extremely aggressive and will go the bite every single time. But if you want more of a challenge, then try the Brownies Trout. They are slow, not very aggressive and it takes a lot more effort to hook one. Brownies are only attracted to artificial nymphs who break the surface from time to time. When the nymph break the surface of the water, it will attract the attention of the Brownie Trout.

There are tons of published books and video productions on the subject of fly bait. Some of the material goes all the way back to the early and late eighteen hundreds. It is best to follow one approach, try it for a while, master it, and then move on to something new. If you are having trouble with your fly bait, then it may be time for a different type of fly, casting technique or environment. Fishing is a challenging sport. The right equipment and technique is important to becoming a successful fisherman.

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