April 10, 2026

Fly Fishing Flies & Lures

by Captain Angler

Choosing the right fly or lure begins with understanding what fish are eating, where they are holding, and how they are feeding. A successful selection does not have to be complicated. By observing the water and carrying a practical range of patterns, you can adjust your approach as conditions change.

Table of Contents

Flies and lures: what is the difference?

Flies are lightweight artificial offerings designed to imitate insects, small fish, and other prey. They are normally presented with fly-fishing tackle, where the fly line provides the weight needed for casting. Lures are generally heavier and may include spoons, spinners, plugs, or other artificial baits used with spinning or baitcasting equipment.

Some fly-fishing flies, especially streamers, overlap with the action and appearance of conventional lures. They may imitate baitfish or larger prey and can be retrieved rather than drifted. The important distinction is not only what the offering looks like, but also how it is delivered in the water.

The main types of fly

Dry flies

Dry flies float on the surface and imitate adult insects or land-based insects that have fallen into the water. They are a natural choice when fish are visibly rising or when adult insects are active around the surface. A dry fly should be close to the size and general color of the insects fish are feeding on.

Nymphs

Nymphs represent the immature stages of aquatic insects, which spend much of their lives below the surface. They can be drifted naturally through current, fished beneath an indicator, or presented close to the bottom. Nymphs are especially useful when there is little visible surface activity.

Emergers and wet flies

Emergers imitate insects moving toward the surface. They can be effective during a hatch when fish are feeding just beneath the film rather than taking fully formed adults. Wet flies are also fished below the surface and may imitate drowned insects or other moving food. Their movement and presentation can encourage reactive strikes.

Streamers

Streamers imitate baitfish, leeches, crayfish, and other larger prey. They are useful when targeting predatory trout and bass, covering larger areas, or looking for fish willing to chase. Streamers may be retrieved with strips and pauses, swung through current, or allowed to move with the flow.

How to match a fly to conditions

Begin with observation rather than a pattern name. Look for rising fish, insects on the surface, baitfish near shore, and current features where food is likely to collect. Size is often one of the most important details. If fish are taking tiny insects, an oversized imitation may be ignored even if its color is close.

Visible surface feeding: Try a dry fly or emerger that resembles the insects present.
No surface activity: Start with a nymph presented at the depth where fish are holding.
Fast or cloudy water: A larger pattern or stronger silhouette can be easier for fish to detect.
Clear, slow water: Subtle colors, realistic proportions, and a careful drift are often valuable.
Predatory fish or baitfish activity: Use a streamer or another offering with a larger profile and purposeful movement.

Season, water temperature, light, and flow also influence fish behavior. These factors do not dictate a single correct pattern, but they help determine whether fish are likely to feed actively, conserve energy, or focus on a particular food source.

Choosing and presenting lures

Lures can complement a fly-fishing approach when an angler is using conventional tackle or when a larger, more active presentation is appropriate. Flash, vibration, and erratic movement can attract predatory fish that are not responding to a dead-drifted fly.

Match the retrieve to the prey you are trying to imitate. A steady retrieve can suggest a swimming baitfish, while short strips followed by pauses can resemble an injured or fleeing minnow. In larger rivers and lakes, a weighted streamer or sinking presentation can help reach water that is difficult to cover with a floating fly alone.

Always consider the regulations for the water you are fishing before combining or changing techniques. Some waters may restrict tackle or lure types, so local rules should guide your final selection.

Building a practical fly box

A useful fly box does not need every available pattern. Carry several reliable options in different sizes and make sure they cover both surface and subsurface situations.

A small selection of dry flies in colors and sizes that resemble local insects.
Nymphs in at least two sizes for varying water depth and insect size.
Several emergers or wet flies for fish feeding just below the surface.
Streamers with different profiles, weights, and degrees of flash.
Extra leaders, tippet, and materials for replacing lost or damaged flies.

Redundancy matters. Carry more than one of the patterns you expect to use most, since flies can be lost to snags, damaged by fish, or rendered ineffective when their materials become waterlogged.

Fly care and tying basics

Dry flies should be stored so they can air out between uses, while all flies should be kept away from unnecessary moisture. Inspect hooks regularly and replace or discard flies with dull, rusty, or damaged hooks. Streamers and lures should also be checked for damaged components, including swivels, split rings, and other connection points.

Tying your own flies can improve selection skills because it makes you pay attention to proportion, profile, buoyancy, and movement. A basic tying setup includes a vise, thread, hooks, and materials such as feathers and dubbing. Simple nymphs and dry-fly patterns are useful starting points, and small changes in size or color can help match local conditions more closely.

A simple decision process on the water

Observe the surface, current, insects, and baitfish before choosing a pattern.
Decide whether fish are feeding on top, below the surface, or pursuing larger prey.
Select the closest match in size and profile, then adjust color if necessary.
Present the fly or lure naturally before changing patterns repeatedly.
If fish respond without striking, experiment with depth, speed, and retrieve before abandoning the offering.

The best fly or lure is the one that matches both the available food and the way fish are feeding. A small, adaptable selection combined with careful observation will usually outperform a crowded box chosen without a plan.

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