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