Dry Flies
Wet Flies
Nymph Flies
Bass Bugs

Advice on a beginners trout fly box
Tarpon, Permit & Bonefish Flies
Salmon and Steelhead Trout Flies
Streamers, Lures, & Hairwings

A Trout's Diet-Mayflies
Deceivers & Attractors
Sea Trout Flies
Offshore Sailfish flies

 WET FLIES

A wet fly is designed to be fished below the water's surface. They are tied as deceivers or attractors. Many flies are tied slim with wing and hackle tied back to reduce water resistance. There are exceptions to this and they include the palmers. These wet flies are dense, bushy hackled flies created to push the water on the retrieve and make attractive shock waves.

The success of the wet fly often depends far more on its action in the water than on its resemblance to a particular insect, but this is not always the case. When fish are on the feed the actual pattern is generally not important, but when the fish are preoccupied or need tempting the angler must use ingenuity to discover what the fish are feeding on and what color they are taking. When fishing wet flies, it is important to remember that the higher the wave on the water the higher the fly hook size can be, but still take into account the brightness and clarity of the water.

CADDIS FLIES

Caddis flies are from the insect group called Trichoptera (Greek for 'hairwing'). They can be found anywhere there is fresh water. The drab colored adults are moth like flying insects. Their wings are covered with hair rather than scales. They are mostly nocturnal and hide in vegitation during the daytime. Mating takes place at dusk in swarms or on the vegitation. The eggs are laid, dropped or fall into the water depending on the species of caddis fly. The larvae are caterpillar-like and are famous for the way that some encase themselves for protection. Not all spiecies do this. Those that do use silk secreated from glands in their head. They use a great variety of material to build their protective case such as plans, twigs, stems, leaves, sand grains, small stones and sticks. After five laval stages the adult finally emerges still inveloped in the pupal skin and swims upwards to the surface where it moults the skin and emerges. It has to expand and harden its wings before taking to the air. During all stages of its life cycle it provides food for many freshwater fish. We stock many flies that imitate different stages of the caddis flies development as well as different species Cassed Caddis Nymph #304, Caddis Suspender Nymph #305, Stick fly Nymph #331, Sedge Pupae Brown Leaded Nymph Long Shank Fly #349, Sedge Pupae Green Leaded Nymph Long Shank Fly #350, Sedge Pupae Orange Leaded Nymph Long Shank Fly #351, Orange Headed Stick Fly Leaded Nymph Long Shank #352, Stick Fly Flousescent Green Tail Leaded Nymph Long Shank #353 Stick Fly Red Tail Leaded Nymph Long Shank Fly #354, Caves Caddis Leaded Nymph Long Shank Fly #355, Caddis Gold Bead Head Fly #220, Sedge Pupa Gold Bead Head Fly #214, Brown Sedge Dry Fly #113, Black Sedge Dry Fly #131, Orange Sedge Pupa Fritz Fly #165, Red and Brown Sedge Fritz Fly #167, Olive Sedge Pupa Fritz Fly #178, and Cinnamon Sedge Wet Fly #440

CINNAMON SEDGE WET FLY

If you fish rivers and lakes from early summer onwards you are likely to see a lot of sedge flies fluttering over the water or zigzagging across the surface like miniature speedboats. One of the most common of these species is the cinnamon sedge. The artificial fly can be used successfully in the wet or dry fly pattern. Sedge flies when resting or moving about the surface of the water have their wings closed or folded over their backs. When fishing the Cinnamon Sedge dry fly bring it skimming across the surface in an erratic fashion. Alter its course by twitching the line or moving the point of your rod. As a wet fly try to imitate the hatching insect coming to the surface or just about to make its first landward journey. To do this make a dropper or bob fly action. Look for our Cinnamon sedge Wet fly #440 and dry fly #133.

VIVA WET FLIES

The Viva designed by Victor Furze has been one of the most popular streamer/lure flies used on Reservoirs, Lochs and lakes In the early part of the season when fish are sometimes loathed to come anywhere near the surface the viva flies on a sinking line can save the day. If you put only one streamer/lure in your fly box a viva would be a good choice. Black and green is a very effective color combination for a stillwater trout fly, especially when fished slowly in the early season. Try our Viva Zulu #436 and #514, Viva Green #476, Viva Lure Gold Bead Head #197, Viva Nymph Gold Bead Head #207, Viva Tadpole Gold Bead Head #209 or Viva Yellow Tail #510

ZULU WET FLIES

The original Zulu fly pattern designs is at least three hundred years old. As an imitave pattern this wet fly is reputed to be a beetle representation. The Zulu has the distinction of having been banned in competitions at one time for being too effective. The Zulu is also used as a sea trout fly. It is tied with a palmer body which pushes the water on the retrieve and makes attractive movement shock waves that help the fish find your fly. This pattern destroys the old guide of 'bright day, bright fly' as it is one of the best patterns to use on a sunny day.

As a river trout fly choose the smaller hook size. When sea trout fishing use a bigger hook sized Zulu fly. I have often found that the fish take this fly in the dead of night just as I am about to lift it from the water. Look for flies Viva Zulu #436 & #514, Brenig Zulu #487, Black Zulu #491 and sea trout flies Black Zulu #391 plus Blue Zulu #392.

KE-HE WET FLY

In 1930's David Kemp and Bernard Heddle noticed that when the wind was blowing freshly certain areas of the loch they were fishing in the Orkneys were covered with great numbers of small black bees. Few other flies interested the fish. They just wanted to eat these bees. They designed this bee pattern and named it using the first two letters of each of their surnames. Look for fly #504 and our Black Ke-He fly #493

ALDER WET FLIES

Alder flies are dull, dark colored insects found resting on waterside vegitation. The adults are day flying insects but spend most of their time resting. Leave it to float with the current or use small jerks to impart the appropriate movement of a struggling or nearly drowned adult Alderfly. Look for Alder wet fly #424 and our Alder Dry fly #117

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SPIDER FLIES

Although insects are the major group of organisms that make up a trouts food they are also partial to a spider every now and then when they can get them. Spiders are part of the Arachnida group of species. Unlike insects they have eight not six pairs of jointed legs. A large variety of spiders and live near water habitats and some are specifically adapted to an aquatic lifestyle. Many terrestrial spiders are also at the mercy of the wind and rain. Whilst buiding their webs up in overhanging trees they can suddenly find them selves drowning in the water surface, having been blown there or hit by a large rain droplet. There are two types of spiders you have to imitate. The spiders that live in or on the water and those that are their buy accident and drown. Fish the artificial spider fly by either letting it drift with the current or use small jerks to impart the appropriate movement of a struggling drowning spider. You can also let it sink slowly moving only slightly to indicate the insects dying twitches. Near vegitation you can keep it static as if looking for prey to imitate the aquatic dwelling spiders. Once in a while give it a small twitch. Try the Black Spider Wet Fly #489, Black And Peacock Spider Gold Bead Head #204, Claret Cove Spider Gold Bead Head #205 And Cove's Silver Spider Nymph #308

MALLARD AND CLARET WET FLY

One of Britain's most enduring popular all round traditional wet-fly pattern. It is good in most situations. It mimics natural food items and is very effective for trout feeding on midge, sedge and shrimp throughout the season. It does not seem to be restricted by the light or weather conditions. You can obtain takes in all situations. It is quite a buoyant fly because of its body material. Originally the wing of this fly comes from the shoulder feathers of the drake mallard the body was of seal fur. Modern substitute materials still make this fly good for brown and sea trout. It takes trout all the year around and is one of the best wet flies you can have. Use this fly to represent Iron Blue Insects (Baetis niger, Baetis muticus or Baetis pumilus). Trout have a great liking for this little fly. It is commonly believed that it hatches only on wet, windy days. This is not true as I have seen numerous hatches in calm warm conditions. It is easy to spot as it is the only upwinged fly that has such an overall dark body color. It hatches during the summer with peaks at the beginning and end of summer. It emergers at the surface in open water during the day in irregular, sometimes prolific, hatches. The Iron Blue is not an evening fly. They tend to swarm during the day. Mating and egg laying also often takes place during the day. This fly can be used as a good imitation of the Claret Dun (Leptophlebia Vespertina). They emerge late spring and prefer stillwater or slow flowing streams. The female and male are similar. The Claret Dun looks a lot like the Iron Blue Dun. This fly can also be used as a good imitation of the Large Dark Olive Dun (Baetis rhodani). It likes streams and rivers and is one of the earliest flies to emerge. They can be seen on the wing in from Autumn/fall to early spring. It is considerably larger than the other species of Olives. Try our Mallard and Claret Wet fly #459 and as a double hooked version #419. Also consider Kite's Imperial Dry Fly #124, Iron Blue Dun Dry fly #121 or Iron Blue Dun Parachute Dry fly #572.

DUNKELD WET FLY

Originally the Dunkeld was a fully dressed salmon fly. The modern much simplified version is an effective attractor pattern for trout. It can be used when the fish need something to quicken their interest. On such occasions it can be deadly. Some lake fishermen seldom have it off their line. It is one of the fancier patterns. It bears a resemblance to a small fish and the predatory trout will often seize it boldly. The attractive colors also help to entice the fish onto the cast. It is an excellent fish taker. We stock the Dunkeld wet fly as #444.

BUMBLES WET FLY

The Irish fly tier T.Kingsmill Moore created the range of Bumble flies designed for the wild conditions found on large Irish waters. It is a bushy representation of a may fly. We stock the Claret Bumble #437, Invicta Bumble #438, and Olive Bumble #439

SOLDIER PALMER WET FLY

This must be one of the most popular flies currently in use in Britain. It represents a hatching chironomid bursting into the air in a flash of color. Although this pattern should really be known as Red Palmer it is the dressing that most stillwater trout fishers recognize as soldier palmer. The Palmer group of wet flies are dense, bushy hackled flies created to push the water on the retrieve and make attractive shock waves. It works well throughout the season and particularly during the early summer. An indispensable pattern. We stock the Soldier Palmer fly #509 and Orange Soldier Palmer #518

DOOBRY WET FLY

The Scottish angler and fly tier, Stan Headley, devised the Doobry for fishing in clear water on overcast days or in colored water in brighter conditions. It is very successful in peaty water, where its combination of black, orange and gold not only looks very good but catches fish. We stock the Doobry wet fly as #443.

KATE MCLAREN WET FLY

This is a somber, heavy hackled pattern and is named after the wife of a great sea-trout angler. It is a very effective pattern on large lakes, taking brown trout, sea trout and salmon. We stock the Kate McLaren wet fly as #503.

PETER ROSS WET FLY

This fly is thought to imitate fry, and finished fairly quickly just under the surface in mid summer onwards will bring results. This famous fly was designed by Peter Ross of Perthshire as a fry imitator and midge pupa representation.. I have had more success with this fly on rivers rather than stillwater. Although there are more realistic patterns available it still works well when trout start hanging around the shallows in the late evening. Our Peter Ross Wet Fly is fly #466.

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GREENWELL'S GLORY WET FLY VERSION

This is perhaps the most famous of all up-wing mayfly imitations. It was devised in 1854 by Canon Greenwell and James Wright to tempt large brown trout on Scotland's River Tweed. Pond & Lake Olive Insects (Cloeon dipterum) live in slow moving rivers, ponds and lakes and this fly is a good representation for them. For the stillwater fly fisher this is an important insect to have artificial imative flies. It emerges during the day throughout the summer. The female hatches the lava within her body and then drops to the water in the evening or during the night. She releases them on to the water, where they then swim to the bottom. It is not unusual to see the water littered with dead or dying Pond and Lake olive spinners in the early morning. Watch the trout rise for them two to three hours after dawn. We stock Greenwell's Glory as a double hook wet fly #418 and have a look at Greenwell's Yellow Tail single hook wet fly #500. Try our Greenwell's Glory Dry fly #114 in hook size 16, 14 or 12.

BIBIO WET FLY

This highly effective pattern is a good general representation of a number of terrestrials of the Bibionidae family, especially the heather fly, whose red legs are imitated by the brighter central section. Our Bibio Wet Fly is #430. Also look at the March Brown Dry Fly #137 and the Hawthorn with legs Dry fly #119 that represent different species of the same Bibionidae group of insects.

TEAL, BLUE AND SILVER WET FLY

With its barred wing and silver body this member of the Teal series of flies is a good representation of a small bait fish. Good for stillwater and river trout. We stock Teal Blue and Silver #474, Teal and Black #471, Teal and Green #472, Teal and Red #473. Larger versions are excellent for night fishing for sea trout. Look for fly #402

BUTCHER WET FLY

This is a fly with a long pedigree dating back at least 150 years, when it was first known as Moon's Fly after Mr Moon a butcher from Tunbridge Wells in Southern England who devised the pattern with another butcher Mr Dewhurst. It's name changed to butcher in the early 19th century possibly to reflect on its fish catching ability and after the trade of the inventors. A fine pattern for both stillwater and river. During the low water conditions of Mid-summer the butcher is a great sea trout pattern. Cast diagonally upstream and brought back deep and slowly, the butcher will often tempt sea trout which have been in the river system for several weeks. These 'stale' sea trout are generally more accepted to be the most difficult of all game fish to tempt with a fly. We stock the Butcher #516, Bloody Butcher #425 or the sea trout version #390, Silver Butcher #426, Gold Butcher #427, Kingfisher Butcher #428 and Hardy's Gold Butcher #414 or 429.

INVICTA WET FLY

A most dependable fly for lake fishing and has a great reputation as a trout catcher on big waters like the lochs of Scotland. In the spring fish it deep and it will often put a few trout in the bag. In summer evenings it is good as a large sedge imitation fly. It was invented by James Ogden of Cheltenham in Southern England as an imitation of a dark sedge. I would not be without this pattern when the sedges are about, whatever type of trout fishing I am emerged in. It is an immensely successful pattern whenever it is fished. Look for Invicta fly #452, Invicta Green Tail #453, Invicta Red #454 and Invicta Bumble #438.

SNIPE AND PURPLE WET FLY

This is a dark fly and even more somber looking when wet. It is designed to be mistaken for the nymph of the blue dun insect. This spider like fly is indispensable in the early season. It has been known to take well during cold, blustery days in summer and fall/autumn especially when the blue duns are hatching. The erect hackles are designed to be activated by the water in a lifelike manner on the retrieve. Look for fly #470.

BLACK GNAT WET FLY

The Gnat is prolific from late Spring till the end of the trout fishing season. They are bred on the land but spend the best part of their lives in the vicinity of ponds, streams and lakes. They may be seen in dense clouds over the water and fish will be rising madly to take their fill. At times like this a gnat pattern fished dry or wet will bring results. There are numerous dressings of the original black gnat pattern. Look for our black gnat dry fly #111, black gnat wet fly #488 and black gnat yellow body wet fly #111

WELSH PARTRIDGE WET FLY

This spider-like fly is some times so successful that you would think it infallible. But the problem of giving a fly this descriptive label is that you come unstuck the next trip you use it on. Not so the Welsh Partridge as it is less liable to lose the qualification than many so called infallible fish catching flies. Double hackled, the Welsh Partridge can be used most successfully as a wet fly. Fish it very deep in the cold months and near the surface in warmer, calmer conditions. It is a good competition fly and a greater taker throughout the season. Look for our Welsh Partridge Wet fly #477 and nymph #327. (It has also proved a thoroughly dependable dry floating fly for lake and river fishing.)

Top quality wet flies from $0.50US at www.flyfishing-flies.com

MALLOCH'S FAVORITE WET FLY

This fly owes its origins to a Scottish tackle firm of Malloch in Perth. It was used with great effect by the owners, the Mallochs, a well known angling family. It is an imitation of certain types of insects called 'Olives' which are found on many waters throughout the angling year. Look for our Malloch's favorite Wet fly #508.

BLUE BOTTLE WET FLY

Blue bottle flies cannot swim, so fish this pattern just under the surface. Let it drift with the current or use small jerks to impart the appropriate movement of a struggling drowning fly. You can also let it sink slowly moving only slightly to indicate the insects dying twitches. Look for our Blue Bottle Wet Fly #433

SNIPE AND PURPLE WET FLY

The original hackle came from the Jack Snipe which is now a protected species. Hackles from the common snipe are used but a more acceptable substitute can be obtained from the common starling. This is a particularly successful imitation of an Iron Blue fly. Trout have a great liking for this little fly. This spider hackled fly is an excellent fly when fish are feeding on snail. Look for our Snipe and Purple wet fly #470. Also consider our Partridge and Orange wet fly #464, Partridge and Yellow #465 or Black and Peacock wet fly #431.

PARTRIDGE AND ORANGE/YELLOW WET FLIES

These traditional spider hackled flies are an excellent fly when fish are feeding on snail. Look for our Partridge and Orange wet fly #464 or Partridge and Yellow wet fly #465. Also consider Snipe and Purple wet fly #470, or the Black and Peacock wet fly #431

WATSON'S FANCY WET FLY

When your imitation flies have failed try an attractor fly such as Watson's Fancy. It is a traditional pattern with many trout catches to its name. It can be particularly deadly on a rough overcast dull cool day when there is no evidence of fish feeding on the surface. It was invented by Donald Watson of Inverness, Scotland. It is an attractive looking fly and is certainly worth keeping in your fly box for brining out when the fish are hard to find. Look for our Watson's Fancy Wet fly #481. It is also a great sea trout fly and has on occasions caught a salmon. Look for our Watson's Fancy Sea Trout fly #404

WICKHAM'S FANCY WET FLY

Designed by T.C.Wickham as a general representative fly rather than a specific imitation, this traditional old pattern still works today. It was originally a dry fly designed for the chalk streams of England, but it brought such good results that the color scheme has been used for single and double hooked wet flies as well as Sea trout flies. It appears to do better when fished on a slow-sinking line. Order a Wickham's Fancy Dry Fly #116, Wickham's Fancy Wet Fly #482, Wickham's Fancy Double Hook Wet Fly #416 and Wickham's Fancy Sea Trout Fly #405

BLACK AND PEACOCK WET FLY

This spider hackled fly is an excellent fly when fish are feeding on snail. Designed by Tom Ivens. Look for our Black and Peacock wet fly #431. Also consider Snipe and Purple wet fly #470, Partridge and Orange wet fly #464 or Partridge and Yellow #465.

FLOURESCENT WET FLIES

A fluorescent is useful when fishing wet flies at depths. I do not believe that a colored body or flashy wing will attract a fish and cause it to rise in the water or travel any distance to take the fly in preference to natural food. The use of color in the Dunkeld and Invicta is more subtle and does not glare so obviously to the fish as an unnatural fluorescent. The use of fluorescent and flashy material can be increased in wet flies that are used on fast sinking lines. If there is less light available a splash of color or flash in a fly often helps attract a fish. Make sure you give your fly movement on the retrieve to make full use of its color.

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COCH-Y-BONDDU WET FLY #495

This famous Welsh pattern is the emblem of the Welsh Salmon and Trout Angling Association. The name means 'red and black trunk'. It has some times been called Cochy Bondhu. It fits the description of several species of beetles. It is a very effective semi-imative pattern for mid-season use on any water. On a strange river wet or dry it is a good fly to start with. It is an ancient fly and mentioned in books in the eighteenth century. It is designed to represent a beetle with the long name of Phyllopertha Horticola. It is known as the Coch y Bonddu beetle in Wales but is sometimes called the June beetle by English speaking anglers. (New Zealand anglers will have to call it the December Beetle<grin> It is used in New Zealand to imitate the green and brown local beetles) This fly is a good beetle imitation for a whole range of beetles in many parts of the world. This is a fly you must keep in your flybox for those infrequent occasions when your local waters become thickly carpeted with beetles. These insects do not constitute a major part of a trout's diet but if they are there in plenty they will take them with gusto. It is a great fly for fly-fishing on mountain streams, where it is readily accepted by trout feeding on terrestrial creatures blown in on the wind. As a lake fly it is particularly well worth trying as evening approaches. Look for our Coch y bonddu fly #495 and dry fly version #127

TUPP'S INDISPENSABLE WET FLY

This fly was devised by a professional tier Mr R. S Austin of Tiverton, Devon, South West England in about 1900. G.E.M. Skues the great nymph fly fisher is believed to have given it it's name. It is popular when pale midge or caenis are on the fish's menu. It can be fished dry but more often wet, high in the water amongst the rising fish. Some anglers like to use it as an imitation of the small Spurwing Spinner (Centroptilum Luteolum). It is an early season species that swarms as the weather gets warmer. Rising males are often blown on to the water where the trout take them quickly. The female lay their eggs a few at a time by dipping and releasing them in the water where they are vunerable to trout attack. It can also be used for the large Spurwing Dun (Centroptilum pennulatum) that lives in slow flowing rivers and streams. Large trout seem to particularly like this dun. Hatches are seldom large and can appear at anytime during the summer and into the beginnings of autumn/fall. Try our Tupp's Indispensable Wet Fly #475 and out Tupps Nymph #336.

COACHMAN WET FLY

This ancient pattern is one of the best late evening/night flies available as the white wings show well. It is said to imitate the moths which often flutter around at that time. Fish it slowly. I have even caught river sea-trout in the evening with this fly. Try our Coachman Wet Fly #442

COW DUNG WET FLY

This fly is an imitation of a terrestrial flying insect and not as some think a piece of cow shit. It can often be found on cowpats. The real insect would never be found swimming under the water surface. It will only end up in the water by accident. Trout can be deceived into taking it wet. This pattern also resembles some shrimp and sedge pupae and can be used as a general imitator pattern that catches fish. Order your own Cow Dung Wet Fly #497 now.

DOOBRY WET FLY

Designed by Stan Headley, Scottish National Fly Fishing Champion for use on one specific loch. It is now used as a general purpose fly for lochs, reservoirs and lakes. It is ideal for bright days on peat stained waters. Have a look at our Doobry Wet Fly #443.

LOCH ORDIE WET FLY

It originated from E.R. Hewitt's Nevasink Spiders which he used on Loch Ordie. It is particularly successful in wild and windy weather. Treated with floatant it has an endearing habit of rising to the surface at the end of the retrieve which I have found prompted savage strikes by Trout. Sea Trout and Salmon have also been taken with this fly. Try our Loch Ordie Wet Fly #457.

McLEOD'S OLIVE WET FLY

This old fly has connections with the Scottish Loch Leven. It is supposed to represent insects of the ephemerid group or 'Olives'. It is also a good imitator for shrimp and sedge pupae on waters where green patterns are useful. Look at our Mcleod's Olive Wet Fly #502

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SOOTY OLIVE WET FLT

It can make quite an impact on early season midge feeders. And the lighter black is more of a natural insect color that the true blacks of some fly tying material. We stock the Sooty Olive Wet Fly as #507.

TEAL AND BLACK WET FLY

The Teal series of flies rank with the Mallard series as some of the most popular and effective ancient traditional flies in use today. The Teal and Black is a favorite during the hatch of dark midge in the early part of the season. . It is an good sea-trout fly which we stock as #403. Try our Teal And Black Wet Fly #471

TEAL BLUE AND SILVER WET FLY

The Teal series of flies rank with the Mallard series as some of the most popular and effective ancient traditional flies in use today. The Teal Blue and Silver is a favorite during bright days in peat stained water. The barred teal suggests the darker mottled back of the small fish that the trout feed on. The blue hackle enhances the silvery flash of the body. It is an aggressive sea-trout fly which we stock as #402. Try our Teal Blue And Silver Wet Fly #474

TEAL AND GREEN WET FLY

The Teal series of flies rank with the Mallard series as some of the most popular and effective ancient traditional flies in use today. The Teal and Green is a very good trout fly. The barred teal suggests the darker mottled back of the small fish that the trout feed on. If you are one of those anglers that limit themselves to only the essential equipment this is one for your flybox. If you local water has hatches of small apple green midges this also works and is a must have fly. Try our Teal And Green Wet Fly #472

WOODCOCK & GREEN WET FLY

It is mistaken as a shrimp or sedge pupa by the fish and worth a place in anyone's fly box. The original fly had a woodcock wing but the modern materials work just as well. Try our Woodcock & Green Wet Fly #283

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MARCH BROWN WET FLY

March flies of the Bibionidae family group of insects, of which the Hawthorn fly belongs, are stour bodied, black or dark brown insects often with hairy bodies. They are commonly found near flowers in pastures, gardens or similar habitats during spring and early summer. They are taken avidly by trout when they accidentally end up on the water surface after taking part in the large mating swarms that can be seen in spring. During a strong wind the flies can also be blown on the water where the trout suck them up. The March Brown (Rhithrogena germanica) likes large stony rivers. Hatches are often on a grand scale in the middle of a spring day. The March Brown pattern is one of the oldest angling flies around. The Autumn Dun (Ecdyonurus dispar) is often confused for the March brown insect as the two are of similar size and appearance. It favors stony or boulder-strewn rivers as well as the shores of stony lakes. The duns emerge during the day from mid to late summer. The March Brown and Hawthorn patterns are effective imitations of the Autumn Dun. Treat your fly with floatant and let it drift on the water surface with the current or use small jerks to impart the appropriate movement of a struggling drowning fly. You can also let it sink slowly moving only slightly to indicate the insects dying twitches. When these floating fly patterns come on the water they evoke considerable interest from the fish. These big flies do their best work where rivers and lakes are bordered by heather or trees. Remember you are trying to imitate a drowning land based insect. There are a number of variations on the standard pattern. We find the Hawthorn with legs, fly #119, works the best. The March Brown Dry Fly # 137 is an imitation of another member of this group of flies. Also try the March Brown Wet Fly #460 or the Silver March Brown Double Hook Wet Fly #417

IRON BLUE WET FLY

This pattern has taken many trout for me, particularly early in the season. Iron Blue Insects (Baetis niger, Baetis muticus or Baetis pumilus). Trout have a great liking for this little fly. It is commonly believed that it hatches only on wet, windy days. This is not true as I have seen numerous hatches in calm warm conditions. It is easy to spot as it is the only upwinged fly that has such an overall dark body color. It hatches during the summer with peaks at the beginning and end of summer. It emergers at the surface in open water during the day in irregular, sometimes prolific, hatches. The Iron Blue is not an evening fly. They tend to swarm during the day. Mating and egg laying also often takes place during the day. This fly can be used as a good imitation of the Claret Dun (Leptophlebia Vespertina). They emerge late spring and prefer stillwater or slow flowing streams. The female and male are similar. The Claret Dun looks a lot like the Iron Blue Dun. Look for our Iron Blue Dun Dry fly #121 Iron Blue Dun Wet Fly #505 and Iron Blue Dun Parachute Dry Fly #572. Also try our Mallard and Claret Wet fly #459 or Kite's Imperial Dry Fly #124.

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OLIVE DUN WET FLY

An essential trout fly for imitating the early and late olives found on all types of rivers. The Olive Upright Dun (Rhithrogena semicolorata) can be imitated using this pattern. It likes stony streams and rivers. They emerge in the summer with peaks at early summer. Pond & Lake Olive Insects (Cloeon dipterum) live in slow moving rivers, ponds and lakes and this fly is a good representation for them. For the stillwater fly fisher this is an important insect to have artificial imative flies. It emerges during the day throughout the summer. The female hatches the lava within her body and then drops to the water in the evening or during the night. She releases them on to the water, where they then swim to the bottom. It is not unusual to see the water littered with dead or dying Pond and Lake olive spinners in the early morning. Watch the trout rise for them two to three hours after dawn. Try our Olive Dun Dry Fly # 139 or the wet fly version #462

OLIVE QULL WET FLY

Often used when it is difficult to find a match for the shade of hatching olives. This is a good fly to use when you need to imitate Pond Olive Duns (Cloeon dipterum). They like slow rivers, ponds and lakes. They emerge during the day throughout the summer. Try our Olive Quill Wet Fly #463

PARTRIDGE AND ORANGE WET FLY

This is an early part of the season spider pattern for rough streams. It is also known as the orange partridge fly. Orange is often one of the few colors that work when algae discoloration is restricting subsurface visibility. Try and fish it down and then retrieve across. Try the Partridge And Orange Wet Fly #464

PARTRIDGE AND YELLOW WET FLY 465

This is an early part of the season spider pattern for rough streams. It is also known as the orange partridge fly. Try and fish it down and then retrieve across. Yellow is often one of the few colors that work when algae discoloration is restricting subsurface visibility. Try our Partridge And Yellow Wet Fly #465

Dry Flies
Wet Flies
Nymph Flies
Bass Bugs

Advice on a beginners trout fly box
Tarpon, Permit & Bonefish Flies
Salmon and Steelhead Trout Flies
Streamers, Lures, & Hairwings

A Trout's Diet
Deceivers & Attractors
Sea Trout Flies
Offshore Sailfish flies

Top quality fly fishing flies from $0.50US at www.flyfishing-flies.com

You can e-mail us at fly.fishing@virgin.net

 The English Fly Fishing Shop
5 Woodland Way, Morden, Surrey SM4 4DS, England