Fish Flies
The Anatomy of Fishing Flies
While you may not find them displayed at art galleries, fishing flies and the tying of them, is a true art form as old as fly fishing itself. The best fishing flies aren’t only interesting to look at, their combination of colors, patterns, and textiles work better to attract fish then some of the more mass produced tackle. In this article we’ll take a look at some of the elements that make these fishing lures so effective.
Hackle:
Hackle, or the neck feathers from a rooster, is one of the primary elements of a fishing fly. The hackle is what gives fishing flies their organic look and feel and also their intricate color patterns. Though many people seem to think fish aren’t all that bright, they sure know enough to steer clear of putting anything in their mouths that doesn’t look natural or like it absolutely belongs in the water.
The patterns and movement of the hackle are difficult to match with synthetic materials. When tying your own lures or buying fishing flies online or at the tackle shop, keep a look out for lures with Whiting Farms feathers-or at least fishing flies with organic hackle versus those made with synthetic materials.
Hair and Fur:
An alternative to the hackle fly is hair and fur fishing flies. They types of hair and fur most used for fishing flies are deer, beaver, opossum, otter, fox, and badger. As with hackle, there are synthetic hair and fur fishing flies, but most fish seem to respond more favorably to natural hair and fur materials. However, there are cases such as when fishing on dark river beds, when fishing flies constructed of brightly colored synthetics are a better choice. When setting out on a fishing trip it’s best to have lots of different types and colors of fishing flies to try.
Thread, Yarn, and Wire:
Thread, chenille, braid, yarn, wire, and other spooled materials are most often used to recreate the thin, tight, body of the insect. Some types used are flat waxed nylon thread, gossamer silk thread, sparkle yarn, and mohair and all of these come in natural and bright colors. No matter how natural the color of the hackle of hair, oftentimes a little spark of color in the thread and yarn is what catches the fish’s attention.
Eyes:
Not all fishing fly gear have eyes, but eyes are sometimes necessary with certain types of gear, especially those that look like other fish or small mammals. Eye styles can range from the “googley” type doll eyes that kids use in projects to silver or bronze beads, to reflective stickers.
There’s no one correct style or material for catching every type of fish. For this reason, it’s important to make sure that you take lots of different types and colors of fishing flies with you when you try out a new spot. Even in the same river, different fish within the same species will react to different things. Half the fun of fly fishing is experimenting with new styles and techniques and finding what works.
About the Author
Author is a writer for Blue Fly Cafe who specialize in
fly Fishing Gear and accessories
. For more information you can visit
http://www.blueflycafe.com
.
Fly Fishing Equipment & Tips : Types of Fly Fishing Flies
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Red Sox 9 MLB Ted Williams Signature Fly Fishing Flies Fenway Park Boston .406 $10,000.00 |
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Vintage H.L.Leonard “Fairy Catskill” 8ft 3/2 Bamboo Fly-Fishing Rod and $4,995.00 |
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CHARLES REID ORIGINAL WATERCOLOR PAINTING FLY FISHING $4,720.00 |
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5 Day Smith River Fly Fishing Adventure – Montana $3,500.00 |
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Vintage H.L.Leonard “Baby Catskill” 38H, 7ft 2.4 oz Bamboo Fly-Fishing Rod $2,950.00 |
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Thomas Gehrig “Fly Fishing Near A Channel Marker” Original Painting, MAKE OFFER! $2,900.00 |
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19inch Regius Palace 100% Bronze cloisonne Two Carp Fish Fly overfly Dragon Door $2,940.00 |
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Vintage H.L.Leonard “Baby Catskill” 37H 6ft 1.9oz Bamboo Fly-Fishing Rod $2,690.00 |
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Hardy Fishing Gladstone Cane Fly Rod 5wt 8ft 0in 2pc $2,695.00 |
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FIRST OF STATE TROUT FLY FISHING 3 PRINTS 68/100 $2,500.00 |
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1940′s Crystal Insect Fly Fishing 14K Gold Bracelet $2,400.00 |
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Hardy Fishing Gladstone Cane Fly Rod 4wt 7ft 0in 2pc $2,395.00 |
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Vintage H.L.Leonard #38-1/2- 7.5ft 3.4oz Bamboo Fly-Fishing Rod $2,250.00 |
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Hardy Fishing Gladstone Cane Fly Rod 3wt 6ft 6in 2pc $2,092.00 |
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Schliske Bamboo 7032 7′ 3wt 2/1 Brookie Split Cane Fly Fishing Rod USA $1,899.00 |
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Schliske Bamboo 7642 7’6″ 4wt 2/1 Bear River Split Cane Fly Fishing Rod USA $1,899.00 |
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Guided Overnight Fly Fishing Trip for 1 or 2 anglers $1,900.00 |
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Maine Guided Fly In Wilderness Fishing/Camping Trip 3 days / 2 nights $1,850.00 |
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Jack Charlton 8350C Fly Fishing Reel with 1/5 Spool Left Hand Retrieve – Rare $1,650.00 |
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Hollis Williford original bronze woman fly fishing $1,500.00 |
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Arthur Fitzsimmons, “Fly Fishing”, oil on board $1,500.00 |
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Schliske Bamboo 7952 7’9″ 5wt 2/1 Rio Grande Split Cane Fly Fishing Rod USA $1,399.00 |
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ALBERT NEMETHY SR.NOTED HUDSON RIVER SCHOOL ARTIST PASTEL MAN FLY FISHING $1,375.00 |
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Saracione Mark IV 4.75″ Fly Fishing Salmon Reel RH / LH $1,395.00 |
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Schliske Bamboo 7952 7’9″ 5wt 2/1 Rattlesnake Split Cane Fly Fishing Rod USA $1,299.00 |
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Schliske Bamboo 7652 7’6″ 5wt 2/2 Finespot Split Cane Fly Fishing Rod USA $1,299.00 |
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Hardy Fly Fishing Perfect Salmon Fly Reel No 4 1/4 Left Hand Retrieve $1,300.00 |
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Hardy Fly Fishing Perfect Salmon Fly Reel No 4 1/4 Right Hand Retrieve $1,300.00 |
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VINTAGE ERNIE WUESTHOFF 6920 9 FT 18-12 BAMBOO SURF FLY FISHING ROD MINTY $1,241.00 |
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Bowlker: The Art of Angling and Compleat Fly-Fishing 1774 Baskerville ed. $1,250.00 |
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LARGE Northwest Artist ARNEE JENSEN Fisherman Fly Fishing Scene Watercolor $1,250.00 |
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Hardy Fly Fishing Perfect Salmon Fly Reel No 4 Right Hand Retrieve $1,200.00 |
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Hardy Fly Fishing Perfect Salmon Fly Reel No 4 Left Hand Retrieve $1,200.00 |
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G-Loomis NRX 18010/11-4G Green Two Hand Fly Fishing Rod $1,170.00 |
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G-Loomis NRX 18010/11-4 Two Hand Fly Fishing Rod $1,170.00 |
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“STUNNING” 14ct GOLD “FLY FISHING” CUFF LINKS- VINTAGE $1,147.50 |
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G-Loomis NRX 1689/10-4G Green Two Hand Fly Fishing Rod $1,100.00 |
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G-Loomis NRX 1689/10-4 Two Hand Fly Fishing Rod $1,100.00 |
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ABEL QC SERIES 9/10 FLY FISHING REEL Tarpon graphic FREE $100 FLY LINE $1,075.00 |
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Hardy Angel 6/7 TE Fly Fishing Reel Made in England with Spools – NEW $995.26 |
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G-Loomis NRX 1568/9-4G Green Two Hand Fly Fishing Rod $1,050.00 |
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ABEL SUPER SERIES 11 FLY FISHING REEL Marlin Fish Graphic FREE $100 FLY LINE $1,050.00 |
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G-Loomis NRX 1568/9-4 Two Hand Fly Fishing Rod $1,050.00 |
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Abel Super 11 Fly Reel, Rooster Fish, Large Arbor. With $100 Fly Line! $1,050.00 |
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Thomas & Thomas DH 1510-5 Doulbe Handed NEW Fly Fishing Rod Spey TWO HANDS $1,049.00 |
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BAMBOO FLY ROD FLY FISHING ROD NICE! $1,000.00 |
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ABEL SUPER SERIES 9/10 N FLY FISHING REEL Chrome Steelhead FREE $100 FLY LINE $1,025.00 |
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ABEL SUPER SERIES 9/10 N FLY FISHING REEL Dorado finish FREE $100 FLY LINE $1,025.00 |
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Fly Fishing in Salt & Fresh Water Richard Bowden Smith $1,000.00 |
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ANTIQUE FLY ROD FISHING LURE W.J. JAMISON CO CHICAGO,IL $999.99 |
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Hardy Fly Fishing Perfect Trout Fly Reel 3 1/8 $995.95 |
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Hardy Perfect 3 1/8″ Fly Fishing Reel LHR FREE SHIP $995.00 |
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Saracione Mark IV Fly Fishing 3.75″ Salmon Reel RH / LH $995.00 |
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Saracione Mark IV 3.75″ Fly Fishing Salmon Reel RH / LH $995.00 |
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Hardy Fishing St George Salmon Hotspur Fly Reel 11/12wt $995.00 |
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Hardy Fishing St George Salmon Hotspur Fly Reel 9/10wt $995.00 |
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Hardy Perfect 3 1/8″ Fly Fishing Reel RHR FREE SHIP $995.00 |
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TIBOR SIGNATURE QC Fly Fishing Reel (9-10WT) CRIMSON $932.07 |
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Hardy Perfect 2 7/8″ Fly Fishing Reel LHR FREE SHIP $950.00 |
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Hardy Perfect 2 7/8″ Fly Fishing Reel RHR FREE SHIP $950.00 |
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Fish Cupcake Picks – 12ct $1.99 These fish appear to be fresh water fish and would be prefect for the angler who enjoys fly fishing. Place these on a cupcake with blue frosting and your outdoor themed cakes will have a professional look. 12 picks… |
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Berkley Deluxe Electric Fillet Knife with Case $37.99 Stk# BE80006 Berkley Deluxe Electric Fillet Knife Combo – 12 Volt Berkley has developed the ultimate electric fillet knife. Complete with three adapters you can now fillet your catch wherever and whenever you want. This is all possible with the 110 volt standard plug, 12 volt vehicle plug or battery clips. This deluxe kit includes two blades, 18 foot power cord and protective carrying case. … |
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Moda Home Vintage Reproduction Bait and Tackle Fishing Tablecloth $29.99 This vintage-inspired tablecloth from Moda Home’s Sliced Bread Collection is perfect to throw over any table or to decorate or keep the table clean. Take it to the park for an impromptu picnic and be the envy of all the other park goers. 100% cotton and machine washable. The perfect gift for dad!… |
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Children’s Favorites 1 $4.48 Featuring 30 children’s classics every kid is sure to love. Row, Row, Row Your Boat; Old MacDonald Had aFarm; Pop Goes The Weasel; and more…. |
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Disney Silly Songs: 20 Simply Super Singable Silly Songs $4.63 “20 simply super singable silly songs”–container.No Track Information AvailableMedia Type: CDArtist: SILLY SONGSTitle: 20 SIMPLY SUPER SINGABLE SILLYStreet Release Date: 01/17/1997… |
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Birds, Beasts, Bugs & Fishes Little & Big: Animal Folk Songs $10.97 Folk music represents the best of Americana, and nobody performs folk music better than Pete Seeger. This charming collection of animal songs, remastered from two Seeger LPs originally recorded in 1955, will delight children and parents alike. Comfortable, well-known titles like “I Had a Rooster,” “Frog Went A-Courting,” “Skip to My Lou,” and “I Know an Old Lady (Who Swallowed a Fly)” allow for gr… |
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Fly Fishing with Cortland Confidence $2.40 … |
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Jack Dennis: Learning To Fly fish For Trout … |