| A fly is a lure made to resemble an insect or | | | | The Nymph, for example, is engineered to look |
| other fish food. The idea behind the design | | | | like the developing insect who has not yet |
| is simple and true: make a lure that looks | | | | sprouted his wings. In its larval form the |
| like the natural prey of some fish and | | | | real thing may often float through the water |
| they'll come racing onto the hook. Since at | | | | or crawl along underwater rocks. At that |
| least the mid-17th century and probably for | | | | stage they are irresistible to a hungry |
| hundreds of years before, that idea has been | | | | trout. Or so the eager angler wants to |
| tested over and over again. | | | | believe. Hope springs eternal in the sport of |
| | | | fishing. |
| It works pretty well. | | | | |
| | | | Terrestrial flies are lovingly shaped to |
| The creativity of fishermen and their friends | | | | imitate non-aquatic insects or worms. Even |
| who make flies for fun and profit is | | | | prey that doesn't seek to live on or under |
| astounding, not least to the anglers | | | | the water may live near it. Unluckily for |
| themselves. Flies are often as much works of | | | | them they often find themselves in unexpected |
| art as practical devices. But practical they | | | | locations where the fish are happy to see |
| are. Whether made to look like a mayfly, a | | | | them. |
| tiny prawn or even a small rodent, a great | | | | |
| fly is a wonder. | | | | Another type called Streamers are made to |
| | | | look like baitfish. They may be used in |
| There is the humble Dry Fly. Designed to | | | | freshwater or saltwater situations and they |
| float on the surface, it may appear to a | | | | are as diverse as any other category of fly. |
| curious fish to be a dragonfly resting on a | | | | A Clouser that resembles a minnow is a |
| pond. Or, it may look like any of a thousand | | | | favorite of many, but a Sucking Leech has its |
| insects that rest on the water before moving | | | | fans, too. |
| on. The real thing often doesn't get the | | | | |
| chance to leave. | | | | Not all flies look like animals, however. |
| | | | Some are made to resemble plant food that |
| An Orange Stimulator, for example, may look | | | | some fish also enjoy, such as berries, seeds |
| like a grasshopper who jumped a little too | | | | or flowers. Petals and fruit that grow near |
| far. The hope is that the 'insect' will prove | | | | the water often drop into it where the fish |
| too tempting to resist. That hope is often | | | | are very grateful. Carp flies are a common |
| satisfied. Flies like this are used more | | | | variety in this category. |
| often for freshwater fishing, such as a | | | | |
| favorite lake where the waters are calm. | | | | No angler can long resist the urge to make |
| | | | his or her own fly. Sooner or later that |
| A Wet Fly, by contrast, is designed to sink | | | | latent creativity bursts forth in the desire |
| just below the surface where they might | | | | to up the odds of landing that perfect lake |
| resemble an insect who is about to see a | | | | trout. Let your inner artist out and enjoy |
| watery grave. The angler intends the fish to | | | | fishing that much more. Even if you don't |
| see a dry grave right afterward. | | | | catch anything you'll have at least one thing |
| | | | to brag about. |