The art of fishing as a sport or a pastime or hobby is very old. So too is the art of fly fishing, where a lightweight lure was used as a replica of a fly and touched on or near the surface water to tempt fish into biting. Fishing flies are an art unto themselves, and come in as many varieties as there are fish.

Fishing itself is an old practice. However, early in 200 A. D., fishing flies were recorded and became part of man’s history. A book written in the fifteen hundreds explained how to make a fishing rod, how to set a line for a fishing rod, and also how to make fishing flies. It told about when to use a certain type of fly during the year and other tips.

Fishing flies used to be called artificial flies. Of course, now they are more commonly just called flies. This is because real flies are rarely used and the ‘flies’ used in fly fishing are always artificial in make. Once upon a time bugs such as Mayflies were used to bait fish. Now, craft supplies including feathers and fur can be used in different degrees and methods to ‘tie’ a fishing fly.

It’s important to do a bit of research or have some experience with fish and their feeding habits before choosing the right fishing flies to use. Some fish like to leap into the air to catch flying prey, while others wait for prey to literally fall down to them. Other fish actually eat vegetation instead of flies, but these too can be lured into striking with the right kind of lure.

The most common types of fishing flies are those that imitate flies themselves and the various stages of their life cycles. ‘Nymphing’ is when a fisherman uses flies that look like larvae to lure fish into striking. Another type of fishing fly is the ‘emerger’ type, which imitates a fly about to break free from its old larvae shell and move from under the water living to becoming a flying insect. Other fishing flies are meant to look like crabs or crustaceans.

Choosing fishing flies depends on where a person is going to fish, and what sort of fish can be expected there. For example, river fish might have a different set of prey or food needs than lake fish. Many fish spawn in rivers and choose the river to die in after spawning. Thus, some flies are called ‘flesh’ flies, as they imitate the rotting flesh of salmon that other fish feed on, for example. Some flies are going to imitate spawn or eggs themselves, which are a food source for some varieties of fish. In some parts of Europe this practice is frowned upon and called unsportsmanlike.

Dry fishing flies stay on top of water and are made from lighter weight materials than those intended to sink. Fishermen using dry flies will tap the same area with the lure several times. Fish watching from beneath will think that a fly is laying eggs or larvae and will eventually strike at the lure. Other heavier flies imitate worms, berries or other bugs that fall or are blown into the water by the wind. Many fishing enthusiasts say it is not about imitation when it comes to flies but about colour and pattern. Fish will strike at things that are colourful and certain fish can apparently be lured into biting by distinct displays of strikes and colour.

People always say in various conversations that there are many fish in the sea. As many fish as there are in the world, there are also fishing flies to match. Creating fishing flies takes as much skill as fishing itself, which is not the passive hobby people think it might be. Sure, it’s nice to see fishermen at peace in their element, but always consider that the successful fisherman has a great degree of skill. Study his lures and it becomes very clear, especially if one looks at his flies.

If you are hunting for a special fishing fly, there is now a place you can go! Find an assortment of fishing flies that will help you increase the number of fish you catch fast and easy!