Fishing Flies
Fishing Flies
The Anatomy of Fishing Flies
While you may not find them displayed at art galleries, fishing flies and the tying of them, is a true art form as old as fly fishing itself. The best fishing flies aren't only interesting to look at, their combination of colors, patterns, and textiles work better to attract fish then some of the more mass produced tackle. In this article we'll take a look at some of the elements that make these fishing lures so effective.
Hackle:
Hackle, or the neck feathers from a rooster, is one of the primary elements of a fishing fly. The hackle is what gives fishing flies their organic look and feel and also their intricate color patterns. Though many people seem to think fish aren't all that bright, they sure know enough to steer clear of putting anything in their mouths that doesn't look natural or like it absolutely belongs in the water.
The patterns and movement of the hackle are difficult to match with synthetic materials. When tying your own lures or buying fishing flies online or at the tackle shop, keep a look out for lures with Whiting Farms feathers-or at least fishing flies with organic hackle versus those made with synthetic materials.
Hair and Fur:
An alternative to the hackle fly is hair and fur fishing flies. They types of hair and fur most used for fishing flies are deer, beaver, opossum, otter, fox, and badger. As with hackle, there are synthetic hair and fur fishing flies, but most fish seem to respond more favorably to natural hair and fur materials. However, there are cases such as when fishing on dark river beds, when fishing flies constructed of brightly colored synthetics are a better choice. When setting out on a fishing trip it's best to have lots of different types and colors of fishing flies to try.
Thread, Yarn, and Wire:
Thread, chenille, braid, yarn, wire, and other spooled materials are most often used to recreate the thin, tight, body of the insect. Some types used are flat waxed nylon thread, gossamer silk thread, sparkle yarn, and mohair and all of these come in natural and bright colors. No matter how natural the color of the hackle of hair, oftentimes a little spark of color in the thread and yarn is what catches the fish's attention.
Eyes:
Not all fishing fly gear have eyes, but eyes are sometimes necessary with certain types of gear, especially those that look like other fish or small mammals. Eye styles can range from the "googley" type doll eyes that kids use in projects to silver or bronze beads, to reflective stickers.
There's no one correct style or material for catching every type of fish. For this reason, it's important to make sure that you take lots of different types and colors of fishing flies with you when you try out a new spot. Even in the same river, different fish within the same species will react to different things. Half the fun of fly fishing is experimenting with new styles and techniques and finding what works.
About the Author
Author is a writer for Blue Fly Cafe who specialize in
fly fishing gear and accessories
. For more information you can visit
http://www.blueflycafe.com
.
 |
 Over 100 Hand Tied Fishing Flies with 2 Pocket Cases  US $19.99
|
 Irideus WTD Nymph Assortment Steelhead Trout flies US $7.99
|
 Flextec Best Cast Braided Poly Backing 30lb 100m US $4.63
|
 Irideus Tube Flies Fly Fishing Streamer fly Salmon Fly US $5.99
|
 1 Dzn Mixed Colored Metallique Estaz Egg Flies US $3.99
|
 1 Dzn Mixed Colored Grande Opal Estaz Egg Flies US $3.99
|
 1 Dzn Mixed Colored Opal Grande B\H Estaz Egg Flies US $3.99
|
 1 Dzn Mixed Colored Glo bug Globug Egg Flies US $3.99
|
 Fly Fishing Decal 19 Boat Truck Window Stickers 6 US $2.99
|
 18 Mixed Colored BLING Globug Glo bug Egg Flies US $3.99
|
 BRAND NEW Alloy FL 80 Fly Fishing Reel Trout NIB US $8.99
|
 150 Realistic Soft Egg Wet Fly Trout Salmon Steelhead US $17.99
|
 6 PCKS RED WOLF Flies w box NIP fishing fly flys lures US $19.99
|
 6 White Muddler Minnows 3 2 3 4 US $2.99
|
 6 Krystal Flash Muddler Black 2 6 2 8 2 10 US $2.99
|
 Salmon Fly General Practitioner 3 6 3 8 US $5.99
|
 Trout Flies Adams Humpy 6 16 6 18 US $5.74
|
 Irideus Big Trout Czech Nymph Flies Fly Fishing Flies US $9.99
|
 12 RED TAIL Joes Hopper TROUT fly size 10 FLYBOX US $4.73
|
 Fly Logic Platinum 3 4 5 Weight Flyreel Disc Drag Reel US $69.99
|
 12 Premium Blue Dun Trout Dry Fly Trout 12 FLYBOX US $3.73
|
 Rock Creek Montana Rainbow Trout Fly Fishing art print US $35.00
|
 Orvis Superfine Full Flex 45 7 ft 4 wt 2 Piece 1 oz US $250.00
|
 OrvisTrident TLS MidFlex 65 9 ft 6wt 2 Piece US $60.00
|
 OKUMA INTEGRITY I0 11 LARGE ARBOR FLY REEL US $24.62
|
 NEW Brown Trout Art Fly Fishing Art Tom Sasser US $49.95
|
 MAGNIFING GLASS Fly Tying Hobby Jewelry Watch Repair US $6.98
|
 Redington CPX Fly Rod 9ft 9wt Outfit US $350.00
|
 Vintage Royalist 370 Fly Fishing Reel US $19.99
|
 KOKANEE TROUT STREAMER FLIES LURES SET OF 4 FLY LOT US $1.25
|
 PFLUEGER Trion 5 6Wt Fly Fishing Reel 1956 NEW US $62.99
|
 Irideus Trout flies Wooly bugger Streamer Nymph Fly 10 US $8.38
|
 6 CHAR WHITE CLOUSER MINNOWS 8 HOOKS MARABOU US $6.85
|
 6 WHITE CLOUSER MINNOWS 8 HOOKS MARABOU freshwater US $6.85
|
 Rare 1930s 31 Bottles Fly fishing Lure Accessories US $49.99
|
 Winston BIIx 8 6 5wt Fly Rod Blank New US $200.00
|
 1 Fly Fishing Lanyard cheap accessories SAVE $$$$$ US $6.99
|
 Winston BIIx 8 4wt Fly Rod Blank New US $200.00
|
 RodLoft Pro Rodmounts Carry 6 Rods in Safety Exc US $10.50
|
 Nautilus FW5 Fly Reel Titanium New in Box US $202.50
|
 MICRO STRIKE INDICATOR TROUT DRIFT FLY FISHING US $.99
|
 Black Fishing Casting Fly Reel BF600B BF600 Reels D70 US $.01
|
 Tuf Line XP braid fishing line 30lb Yellow US $6.00
|
 Fly Logic Disc Drag Fishing Reel 3 4 5 Weight Flyreel US $69.99
|
 Sage Seagrass Shirt Large Dark Sage New US $25.00
|
 Sage RIver Hoody Pullover Medium Ocean Blue New US $26.00
|
 6 Irideus 2xWTD Trout Fly Fishing flies Nymph Hares Ear US $4.99
|
 New Gold Aluminum Casting Fly Fishing Reel BF1000A D90 US $4.99
|
 handcrafted cherry fly fishing fly box US $55.00
|
 WTD Trout Fly Fishing flies Copper John Pheasant Tail US $4.99
|
 FLY TYING MATERIALS KIT DVD GREAT FOR BEGINNERS US $23.00
|
 solid walnut fly fishing fly box US $60.00
|
![Thomas Thomas SC910S 4] 4 pc 9 ft 10 wgt fly rod](http://www.actionbait.net/images/e/220662243998_0.jpg) Thomas Thomas SC910S 4] 4 pc 9 ft 10 wgt fly rod US $100.99
|
 Brown Trout Art Limited Edition of 250 Giclee Print US $49.95
|
 Brook Trout Art Giclee Print by Tom Sasser US $69.00
|
 OKUMA INTEGRITY I 7 8 LARGE ARBOR FLY REEL US $24.00
|
 OKUMA vashon 5 6 FLY spare spool new no box US $18.95
|
 Cortland 444SL WF6F Floating Wind Taper Fly Line NIB US $30.00
|
 Cortland 444SL WF4F Floating Wind Taper Fly Line NIB US $30.00
|
 10 Fly Fishing Flies Dry Insect Pattern Fishhook 10 US $.99
|
 |
Silver Lake Fishing Flies Assortment List Price: $24.99 Sale Price: $6.79 Average Rating:   |
|
You’ll be pulling fish from water in no time with this excellent assorted set of hand tied flies and streamers. With 55 of today’s most popular patterns and styles you’re sure to find one that works for any given situation... |
 |
Crystal River Fly Fishing Combo Kit List Price: $49.99 Sale Price: $19.99 Average Rating: |
|
Over 70 years of experience has produced tackle that's better than tactics. Pre-packaged combos make selecting the right equipment for getting started a snap eliminating the guesswork that can be so intimidating to a newcomer... |
 |
Pflueger Fly Kit, 8-Feet 0-Inch List Price: $39.99 Sale Price: $39.99 Average Rating:  |
|
Pflueger is 8 -feet three piece 5/6 weight fly rod with cork grip, 3 pieces, 2 5/8-Inch spool diameter, 25/32-Inch spool width, up to 7 fly Line 1094 metal rim control fly reel 25 yards of level fly line 4X tapered leader braided dacron backing. |
 |
Eastern Trout Fly Fishing Flies Sampler Plus Fly Box List Price: $33.95 Sale Price: $17.95 |
|
Here is an assortment of 12 flies plus a fly box which cover a wide variety of eastern hatches. Includes 1 each of the following: #14 March Brown, #14 Parachute Adams, #16 Quill Gordon, #16 Sulphur Comparadun, #14 Parachute Light Cahill, #14 Light Hendrickson, #14 Dark Hendrickson, #18 Parachute Blue-winged Olive, #20 Trico Spinner, #12 Bead Head Black Wooly Bugger, #16 Bead Head Flashback Pheasant Tail and a #12 Bead Head Prince Nymph. |
 |
60 Flies trout pan fish NIP fishing fly flys lures BL List Price: $175.00 Sale Price: $10.99 Used From: $10.98 Average Rating:  |
|
60 Flies trout pan fish NIP fishing fly flys lures 60 Flies ALL NEW! Carded and looking good! GREAT COMBINATION OF COLORS! THESE ARE A CLOSEOUT ITEM SO BID QUICK BEFORE THEY ARE GONE! Retails for $1... |
 |
Silverlake Freshwater Flies and Streamers List Price: $14.99 Sale Price: $2.75 |
|
You’ll be pulling fish from water in no time with this excellent assorted set of hand tied flies and streamers. With 25 of today’s most popular patterns and styles you’re sure to find one that works for any given situation... |
 |
Wild Water Fly Fishing Complete 5/6 Starter Package Sale Price: $89.00 Average Rating:  |
|
You get our fantastic AX56-090-4 Series , 4 piece fly rod with a LIFETIME WARRANTY, a large arbor reel preloaded with backing, a weight forward (5 weight) floating fly line and 5X tapered leader, a rod sock, a rod case, a fly box and three flies--Parachute Adams, Black Fly and Gold Ribbed Hare's Ear... |
 |
Wild Water Fly Fishing Rod Case for Rod, Reel and Accessories List Price: $35.00 Sale Price: $19.00 |
|
Rod Case dimensions: Overall Length: 31"; Case circumfrence: 2.5"; Widest length of reel pouch: 6"; Zippered pouch: 4" height, 5" width. |
 |
100 Assorted Dry and Nymph Fly Fishing Flies Sale Price: $54.99 Average Rating: |
|
The essential selection of fly fishing flies if you're fishing for trout, steelhead, or salmon. There are enough assorted flies in this package to allow you to fly fish just about any freshwater river or stream all year round. |