How To Use Wet Flies or Dry Flies

If you enjoy fly fishing, then you know that it is essential that you learn when to use what type of bait. Knowing when and how to use either wet flies or dry flies can mean the difference in a successful fishing trip or one wherein you don’t catch anything at all. It takes a skilled fisherman to learn when to use a wet or dry fly.

Here’s how to use wet flies or dry flies.

Assess the area

Before you choose bait, look around you and observe the natural activity in the area. If you notice that the fish are rising to the surface to feed on the insects floating in the water, then use dry bait. Go with a dry fly if there are a lot of insects flying close to the surface of the water. If the fish are feeding underwater, then you should go with wet bait. If it happens that there are an abundance of insects in the air and at the same time, the fish are feeding, then you may even find success in using both types of flies.

Use wet flies

A wet fly is designed to mimic waterborne insects so it is meant to sink in the water. Attach the wet fly on your hook and move the pole gently. You should move the wet fly so that it appears to be swimming in the water, just like the other nymphs and water insects. When using a weight, make sure it doesn’t contain lead since it can contaminate the water.

Prepare the dry flies

A dry fly is designed to float on the surface of the water. If you want to use it, you need to prepare it first. Apply a coating agent on the fly so that it will have some waterproofing. Otherwise, it will eventually become wet and sink. You can purchase a silicone dry fly fishing spray or paste substance that you can use. It is also a good idea to recoat the fly before using it again, especially if you have already caught several fish with it. If after you have been out for a while and you notice that the fly is sinking, get it out of the water and pat it down with a paper towel then reapply a coat of silicone again. Once the bait is ready, cast it out again.

Position the bait properly

Position the wet fly so that it is somewhere in the front of where the fish swim. The fish will be more likely to bite. The point is that you need to make your wet fly bait copy the movement of the other insects in the area to trick the fish into biting. If you are using a dry fly, you may want to place it somewhere upstream so that it follows the natural flow of the current. This will make the bait seem more natural in the environment.

Make sure you have your fishing license ready as well as all your other fishing materials and on hand. With the right bait, you can have a successful fishing trip.