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Fly tying - Flies

Fly tying - Flies: Encyclopedia II - Fly tying - Flies

Since the existence of fly tying many different patterns have been created. The Professional Fly Tying manual classifies flies into five main groups. Flies are usually classified as being wet, dry, streamer, or nymph. Fly tying - Wet Flies. Wet flies are flies that do not float above the surface of the water. Instead they float just below the surface. They usually imitate insects that have drowned. Sometimes they are created to represent insects hatched under the water that are working their way to the surface. See also:

Fly tying, Fly tying - Materials, Fly tying - Hooks, Fly tying - Tools, Fly tying - Flies, Fly tying - Wet Flies, Fly tying - Dry Flies, Fly tying - Nymphs, Fly tying - Streamers, Fly tying - Others, Fly tying - Common Patterns, Fly tying - Sources

Fly tying, Fly tying - Common Patterns, Fly tying - Dry Flies, Fly tying - Flies, Fly tying - Hooks, Fly tying - Materials, Fly tying - Nymphs, Fly tying - Others, Fly tying - Sources, Fly tying - Streamers, Fly tying - Tools, Fly tying - Wet Flies

Fly tying: Encyclopedia II - Fly tying - Flies

Fly tying - Flies

Fly tying - Wet Flies

Wet flies are flies that do not float above the surface of the water. Instead they float just below the surface. They usually imitate insects that have drowned. Sometimes they are created to represent insects hatched under the water that are working their way to the surface.

Fly tying - Dry Flies

Dry flies float half submerged on the surface of the water. They imitate insects that have fallen into the water. Some imitate winged nymphs emerging from the water with their egg sacks still attached. These types of flies are typically classifed as dun.

Fly tying - Nymphs

The term nymph can have many meanings to fly fishers. To some it is an insect in its immature form. To others it is an insect that lives underwater. These flys are completely suberged in the water. Some are even weighted to keep them submerged.

Fly tying - Streamers

A streamer fly is a fly that is typically longer than the others. It can represent multiple creatures. Many are tied to represent bait fish. Some are very beautiful such as salmon or steelhead streamers. Many of these are never fished and are considered art.

Fly tying - Others

Bass Bugs and other bass flies are often made of cork or deer hair, float on the surface and are designed to imitate frogs, mice, or injured baitfish. Salt water "flies" are often created to imitate small crabs.