Dry vs. Wet Flies

[rich_ace_G]

First of all I'd like to apologize if this has been asked before. I recently got a nice gift from a friend. A fly gear combo that was only used twice. It's been sitting on my trunk for 2 weeks because I'm not really into fly fishing but hey it was a gift so I took it. Everything is set up except what to put at the end of the line. I've been practicing at the backyard whenever I can. So yesterday as I was spinner fishing for trout. This guy was killing it in the small creek we both fish. He's on the other pool and i'm on the other side. We were both having a great time. I hauled in 7 trout on the smallest PMartin spinner and about 4 that was hooked but got away.

I would like to give this technique a try. They say it depends on the season what to use. Which is better right now? dry or wet flies? Thanks.

 

[remyboy1]

i don't know much but i have been smashing a lot of trout lately on wet flies---swinging pheasant tail nymphs, prince nymphs and skuds in the tail waters--riffles --elk haired caddis and hairs ear--in a small river scenario--caught 50-60 in the last few weeks like that--swinginr works better for me than dead drifting/high sticking....i dunno my two cents

 

[rich_ace_G]

thank you. i will try some wetflies. most probably nymphs. boy these are not cheap too eh?

 

[remyboy1]

no sir--tie em good and learn how to water load your line while its pulling down stream and sort of flip it up stream--in a small stream i have learned almost every other method is risky...tree branches everywhere--but man when a fish tugs on that line on the fly its a great feeling.--ps if its deeper water use a bead head--not only do they sink but also i am convinced the bead sort of rolss the fly more so you don't get snagged as often..i may be wrong

 

[Madriverfisher]

i don't know much but i have been smashing a lot of trout lately on wet flies---swinging pheasant tail nymphs, prince nymphs and skuds in the tail waters--riffles --elk haired caddis and hairs ear--in a small river scenario--caught 50-60 in the last few weeks like that--swinginr works better for me than dead drifting/high sticking....i dunno my two cents

Hey an elk hair caddis is a dry fly lol but rich try both wets and nymphs will almost always work because your putting there food right in there path just like spin fishing. Now dry fly fishing is what mos people start fly fishing for I find nothing like haveing a trout come up and take your fly play around with both wets and dries one tip I would give is pinch the barbs those small trout smash dry flys hope this helps I will post a link for some hatch charts or better yet sign up at Wilson's website and gives you a bunch of things to check out hatch charts access maps of rivers stuff like that welcome to the club it's addictive lol

 

[remyboy1]

i have that wet one i thought anyway--its the one with soft hackle....hmmm thought it was a wet fly...dry flies have worked for my but only in evening--when there is a hatch of some sort.

 

[rich_ace_G]

thanks for the tips. will be trying both wet and dry.

 

[xxxSIBxxx]

I dont fly fish often but when i do i love using dry fly as its pretty sweet seeing them take it on the top and you'll know if you get a hit.

 

[Cody309]

I believe there's a stat that says 10% of the fish you catch on the fly will be on a dry (now, there are some lucky people who make exception to this, but for the most part, on the waters I fish, I find it to be true). Observing what the fish are doing is key. Don't toss your line on the water as soon as you arrive, as you may spook the fish/give a wrong presentation. If the trout seem to be active on the surface, tie on the dry - otherwise I would stick to nymphs or buggers.

 

[xxxSIBxxx]

I believe there's a stat that says 10% of the fish you catch on the fly will be on a dry (now, there are some lucky people who make exception to this, but for the most part, on the waters I fish, I find it to be true). Observing what the fish are doing is key. Don't toss your line on the water as soon as you arrive, as you may spook the fish/give a wrong presentation. If the trout seem to be active on the surface, tie on the dry - otherwise I would stick to nymphs or buggers.

lol, well maybe that's why i don't catch too many then. Next time i'll use a nymph and see if I get a few more.

 

[NADO]

I got a little trout once swinging a wooly bugger that wasn't properly weighted so it was sitting on the surface. Does that count as dry fly fishing? lol

 

[rich_ace_G]

ok i've been shopping around for wet flies as I want to start this method with better success. I've seen the nymphs and buggers. cool stuff. What piqued my interest is the salmon egg patterns. how are these? how do you weight wet flies?

 

[Cody309]

ok i've been shopping around for wet flies as I want to start this method with better success. I've seen the nymphs and buggers. cool stuff. What piqued my interest is the salmon egg patterns. how are these? how do you weight wet flies?

There is a pretty large debate about egg patterns (I, for one, am rather impartial). Apparently trout tend to take these egg patterns very deep, and a lot of fly fishermen frown upon their use in C&R situations. That being said, a fish has a certain % chance of taking a wet fly deep no matter the fly, so really it's your call (just be prepped with forceps to remove the barbless hook )

In terms of their effectiveness, I cannot personally vouch for them as I've never used them. I imagine they could be quite effective during spawning season when the eggs are a food source for the other fish.

Weighting wet flies can be done in many weighs (see what I did there? ). The most obvious is using a small split-shot on your line a few inches or so up from the fly. Other ways to weight the fly are generally done while tying the fly itself. This can include weighted heads, dumbbell eyes, or lead/copper wiring on the hook shank before tying in materials.

Hope this helps!

Cheers,

Cody

 

[rich_ace_G]

awesome stuff man. the average size of trout on the creek is about 7" - 10". last night one trout engulfed my spinner with all of the hooks of the treble are hooked on him. it was hard to remove (barbless) with him still fighting on land. still managed to release(gently) and off he went. had a couple more....then again...a smallie wanted to join the party and party over afterwards.

 

[Madriverfisher]

Cody is right about everything egg patterns I've never had a huge problem with the fish taking them deep but now that I swing more often then not I don't use them a lot I like swymph witch is swinging nymphs it seems to work well

 

[Jacklake]

I would like to give this technique a try. They say it depends on the season what to use. Which is better right now? dry or wet flies? Thanks.

Here is a basic image of various types of flies. For the floating flies, some Gink paste will help them repel water and stay on top.
As for the question of what to use, IMO there are two considerations: what do you see happening at the water, and what do you like to do?
If you see fish rising to bugs, you can dry fly fish with a fly that is close to the size, shape and colour of the adult fly. Or you can fish during that time with a wet fly (still in the size and colour) to imitate a nymph rising to the surface to hatch (or a failed attempt at hatching that is drowning). If you see nothing you can fish with a wet fly (because they usually have more mobile/live parts than nymphs), or you can fish a nymph near the bottom.
At the first of the year more mayflies (upwing and skinny, and possibly yellow, grey or brown) hatch, and as the season goes along more caddis (downwing and chubbier - and probably tan colour) hatch. It's really all about watching the bugs in and on the water, and on nearby shrubs.
Most beginning fly fishers use flies that are too large. I suggest size 14 or 16 for trout, and not too chubby.

 

[Equinox]

Seems to be a very sparse hatch of all this year .Maybe due to high water and cool June temps.In any case I believe that as mentioned earlier 90% of available food (nymph emerger adult) is the nymph and emerger stages,with nymph species being present constantly.The fish is witnessing and thereby feeding on these constantly.I always start with these patterns and as late morning approaches look for fish "rolling on the top.This indicates they are feeding near the surface,taking the emerging nymphs.Shortly after there could be a hatch and flys will be "coming off" and visible".I believe that only if this hatch is substantial, will the fish turn to this form for their feed.If the hatch is minimal they will still be feeding on nymph patterns.If the hatch is subtantial it can provide them with enough of a reason to feed off the surface.I find patterns in the 14,16 18 sizes work depending on the river and its conditions.There are hatch charts available that indicate the succession of hatches during the season.The hatches of each type overlap but provide a general guide as to what forms and colors to use.

 

[flyXing]

Just curious, what are some of your go-to wet fly patterns?

I nymph most of the time and definitely want to start trying wet fly technique as some of the waters i frequent seem like they'd be perfect!

 

[Cody309]

My go to is definitely a black or olive wooley bugger! Second would be a clouser minnow - those two flies will catch anything!

 

[GuitarBuildingAngler]

Hahahaha I am still yet to catch anything on a bugger. Maybe my technique with it is not too great :-$