Ever since the 1800’s in backwoods hollows of early America, fly fishing has been the staple sport for many anglers. In its early days, fish were snared to put food on the table. Today, fly fishing accomplishes not only catching a delicious dinner but also being a beloved North American sport. Additionally, fly fishing is popular not only in the US and Canada but also in Europe, South American and in Japan.

This is an ancient method of angling and known most as a means for catching salmon and trout. Today it is used to catch a wide variety of fish types which include: pike, pan fish, carp, grayling and bass. Fly fishing is used to also snare marine fish species which include: snook, bonefish, tarpon, striped bass and redfish. Sometimes fly fishers will catch fish they didn’t intend to such as bream, rudd or chub while they are intending to snare the target types of fish such as trout. A lot of fly fishers hope to catch different types of fish with the fly they have as the lure.

In olden days, fly fishing was the main method of angling and was used to snare trout and salmon only. Today, bass, grayling, carp, pike and pan fish are often the ‘catches of the day’ when fly fishermen and women head to the rivers, brooks and lakes.

Using fishing flies for fly fishing is fun, Whether it be for fresh or sea water. Fly fishing in freshwater includes these different types as follow: coldwater fly fishing (to catch trout, steelhead and salmon), cool water (to snare walleye, pike or perch) and warm water (for fishers who hope to catch bass, chub or catfish). Different techniques are used for the freshwater locations. Methods for fly fishing are different in streams, rivers, lakes or brooks.

Flies in the past were tied with any natural material but imitation substances are now not only popular but common. Flies are available in different sizes, patterns and colors to match the local aquatic insects, minnows or other bait which will attract the fish of the region.

Imitation materials used to construct the flies are now not only very common but are also very popular with all fly fishermen. The lures are available in an array of patterns, colors and sizes to imitate various aquatic insect types, small fish or other lure bait creatures. These lures are designed to attract all regional fish. Fly fishing lures are often also constructed in the patterns and colors common with the baits of the fishing region.

‘Imitators’ are fly fishing lures that are formulated to look like the actual baits and lures of the fish they are intended to attract. Some of the imitators look like the insects or the minnows of the region. Although the imitators don’t sometimes look identical to the natural baits, their motion in the water will deceive the fish enough to get them to bite!

‘Attractors’ are constructed in bright and brilliant neon or fluorescent hues. The purpose of these neon colors is to incite an aggression response in the intended fish. The fish become aggravated and attack (bite) the lure. Popular attractors are found primarily in neon chartreuse or fuchsia. Common chartreuse fishing flies are the ‘Green Weenie’ types used by fishers all over North America.

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