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Fly fishing is an old pastime that comes from the art of fishing itself. Lightweight lures that imitate flies encourage fish to come to or near the surface of water and take a good bite of the bait. Fishing flies themselves have a long history and can be as diverse as the fish they are meant to catch.

Fishing flies have been dated throughout history and are written about as early as 200 A. D. In the fifteenth century, they made a brief appearance in one of the first books to talk about fishing as a sport. Along with instructions on how to make a rod, set a line and bait a hook, there were also chapters written about how to make a fly and when to use a certain type of fly throughout the different seasons of the year.

Fishing flies used to be made from real flies but that was in an age when people could afford to chase down Mayflies and other large bugs. Now, they are typically artificial in design and make. The materials used to make fishing flies include feathers and bits of fur. All flies are considered artificial nowadays.

Before choosing a fishing fly, it’s important to know where one is going to be fishing, and what the target type of fish is. Fish eat in different ways and eat different types of prey or food. Some fish don’t eat bugs at all but choose vegetation as their diet. Knowing if the fish in question is a jumper that will leap out of the water to get a fly or is a lurker waiting beneath overhanging trees makes all the difference when choosing the right fishing flies.

The most common types of fishing flies are those that imitate flies themselves and the various stages of their life cycles. ‘Nymphing’ is when a fisherman uses flies that look like larvae to lure fish into striking. Another type of fishing fly is the ‘emerger’ type, which imitates a fly about to break free from its old larvae shell and move from under the water living to becoming a flying insect. Other fishing flies are meant to look like crabs or crustaceans.

Choosing fishing flies depends on where a person is going to fish, and what sort of fish can be expected there. For example, river fish might have a different set of prey or food needs than lake fish. Many fish spawn in rivers and choose the river to die in after spawning. Thus, some flies are called ‘flesh’ flies, as they imitate the rotting flesh of salmon that other fish feed on, for example. Some flies are going to imitate spawn or eggs themselves, which are a food source for some varieties of fish. In some parts of Europe this practice is frowned upon and called unsportsmanlike.

Dry fishing flies stay on top of water and are made from lighter weight materials than those intended to sink. Fishermen using dry flies will tap the same area with the lure several times. Fish watching from beneath will think that a fly is laying eggs or larvae and will eventually strike at the lure. Other heavier flies imitate worms, berries or other bugs that fall or are blown into the water by the wind. Many fishing enthusiasts say it is not about imitation when it comes to flies but about colour and pattern. Fish will strike at things that are colourful and certain fish can apparently be lured into biting by distinct displays of strikes and colour.

As many fish as there are in the lakes and the ocean, there are also fishing flies to match. Once upon a time, the patterns could be counted easily but now with so many fishermen spending time at this peaceful hobby, it would be hard to record all possible patterns and styles. Artificial flies can require a good amount of skill to make, just like fishing itself. The art of making flies is peaceful in most cases and a very good hobby to relax and enjoy.

For anyone searching for the perfect fishing fly, there is now a place you can go! Find an assortment of fishing flies that will help you increase the number of fish you catch fast and easy!

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