Nymph Flies

Nymph flies represent the stage prior to them hatching out on the top as dry flies, this stage is of course underwater and therefore can be a challenge as you will not see the fish rise for the fly as in dry fishing, again using a strike indicator can be helpful, you will need to determine how to recognise a take, when the indicator stops it can be because of an obstruction as all nymph fly fishing is done close to the bottom of the water, it helps if you know the water and how clear it is likely to be in the area you are fishing. Weights on your leader will be required to get the nymph down to the depth where the fish are feeding, not as easy as it sounds!

When fish are feeding on nymphs they will not strike at it as they would a dry fly as it is to the fish an easy bit of lunch floating past so detecting a take is an art that needs practice.

The easiest method for nymph fishing is similar to wet fishing. Cast over the opposite side, let the fly go with the currant until its inline with yourself, keep the line tight and with your rod pointing at the fly. When it settles it will rise with the current as would a natural nymph fly on its way to the surface to hatch. You will generally feel a take using this method. Of course we are assuming here you are river fishing and there are indeed many other methods for nymph fishing and I think practice and determination are important with this method. Ask or watch other anglers. Nymph fishing is not easy!

Dry Flies

Dry trout flies are probably the most traditional, in most fisherman’s eyes, (although wet fishing goes back much further) This method is basically deceiving the trout into believing this is their natural food which they readily eat from the surface. Most fly fisherman say it’s the hardest method as opposed to perhaps lure fishing, but I don’t go with that theory. A simple technique of floating the fly along the surface means you can see exactly where your fly is and usually you will see the fish approaching. Avoid any drag using this method of fishing as it will look unnatural to the trout, just cast upstream and allow the fly to drift with the current, always cast diagonal to avoid scaring away any fish.

Select your dry fly to mimic the insect life around you, matching the hatch is quite easy if you take some time to observe which flies are around and if indeed the trout are rising out of the water to take them. If you do not see the trout rising then it is likely they are feeding subsurface and therefore a different method is required.

Dry flies should be delicate generally winged although there are many without wings.

Use a floatant with the dry fly such as Geherkes Gink, this will keep the fly on the surface and prevent it getting water logged.

Use a light weight line, fish have good eye sight, a smaller rod for dry fly fishing is preferred as you will not really be making long casts

Wet Flies

How to describe a wet fly, well perhaps If we said “aquatic insects that move” So it can represent a dead or dying insect or the struggling nymph subsurface. They are usually quite dark in colour and tied sparse in a simple design. Generally you will fish wet flies close to the bottom so they are designed to sink, a soft hackle will provide the movement. A sinking line is the obvious choice although weights on a floating line can get the same result.

The most popular method with wet fly fishing is on droppers offering 2 or more flies at once, this can be done with ready made fly casts which usually incorporate 2 droppers or by making your own, there is no limit to how many you wish to offer at once although be careful of getting your line tangled. If you use different designs at once it is a good way of finding out what the fish are feeding on that day.

The easiest method of wet  fly fishing is to cast opposite side and downstream then follow your cast with the rod pointed towards the fly, you can jerk it slightly to give more movement. Raising the rod tip will offer the wet fly as an emerging insect. There are a lot more complex methods but the aforementioned is a good place to start.

Don’t be afraid to use strike indicators.