Dry-fly fishing uses line, flies and a leader (3-5m of nylon monofilament) that are nearly invisible. Trout face upstream and focus on the current, so anglers must stay downstream and low to the ground. Trout strike food at current edges, near obstructions that provide a low energy environment. The challenge is to place the fly accurately to mimic behavior and drift, and the angler must be alert for the take.
Your gear for fishing dry flies will vary depending on the size of the fly and the fish you're targeting. For average-sized trout, an 8.5' or 9' rod with a 4 to 6 weight line should suffice. Dry flies are usually smaller, so your leader and tippet should match accordingly. For example, with sizes 14 through 18, you'll need 5x tippet. A 9 foot leader is usually enough for most dry fly situations. However, in lakes and certain finicky situations, you may need to go longer.
Download your own copy of the Tippet Sizing Chart here!
<aside> <img src="/icons/calendar-month_gray.svg" alt="/icons/calendar-month_gray.svg" width="40px" /> Fly Patterns Organized by Season
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<aside> <img src="/icons/fish_brown.svg" alt="/icons/fish_brown.svg" width="40px" /> General Attractor Flies | Attractor dry flies are one of the most popular types of dry flies for fly fishing. They are tied using materials that float, such as feathers from animals like ducks and chickens, as well as fur and foam. These materials are designed to make the flies float high in the water, making them a visually exciting way to fly fish.
Most attractor fly patterns don't imitate any specific type of insect, but rather multiple species at one time. In fact, some of the best attractor flies don't imitate insects at all. Examples of staple attractor dry flies for almost any freshwater species include the Royal Wulff, Renegade, and Purple Haze flies. These flies don't resemble anything flying around the river, but they are designed to catch the attention of the fish you are trying to catch.
Attractor fly patterns can be designed to imitate anything from a minnow to drowned terrestrial flies or the nymph stage of an aquatic insect, even though they don't usually resemble a specific insect.
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<aside> <img src="/icons/downward_red.svg" alt="/icons/downward_red.svg" width="40px" /> Check out my Top-5 patterns or Use the Tabs / Tab dropdown ▾ below to toggle between types of flies
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<aside> <img src="/icons/fish_brown.svg" alt="/icons/fish_brown.svg" width="40px" /> Midge Flies | The midge dry fly may be one of the smallest dry flies used for trout fishing. However, midge fly fishing can be very rewarding, especially in the colder winter months when other insects are not hatching. Midge dry flies are generally small insects, ranging from size #18 to #24, but can also be found in larger sizes, up to #10. The midge fly is present in most rivers in the U.S. and can hatch at any time of year.
Also known as Chironomids, midge flies are an important food source for most fish that live in still water and rivers. Tailwaters are particularly rich with midge life, making them a popular food source for trout. Midge dry fly patterns are simple and come in a variety of subtle forms. One of the most popular is the Griffiths Gnat, which resembles a small cluster of midges. Along with an emerger fly, it is a great way to catch selective trout. Midge dry flies are a go-to pattern when nothing else works. When nothing else is hatching, the midge dry fly can save your day, especially in the cold winter months.
Fishing with midges requires using smaller tippet sizes and a subtle presentation. These are the smallest insects, with the exception of the Trico mayfly, that you will ever see on the surface. Midges come in different colors and sizes, and it can be difficult to determine which ones the fish are eating. Therefore, having a wide range of midges in your fly box is always a good idea. Having a variety of sizes and colors will help you on days when it seems that nothing else is working.
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<aside> <img src="/icons/fish_brown.svg" alt="/icons/fish_brown.svg" width="40px" /> Mayflies | Mayflies hatch when the water temperature is above 38°F and are most active between 40–44°F. They will also hatch during the warmest parts of the day, usually 10am–3pm, regardless of the weather conditions (sunny, cloudy, windy, or snowy). Water temperature and barometric pressure are the most important factors to predict a hatch. Look for changes in the weather with warm water temperatures and you’ll have the best chance for BWO hatches.
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