Artificial fly

lure used in angling - fly fishing

An artificial fly or fly lure is a type of fishing lure. It is usually used in the sport of fly fishing. Artificial flies imitate insects or other things fish eat.[1] Artificial flies are made by fly tying. This is an art in which furs, feathers, thread or any of very many other materials are tied onto a fish hook.[2]

An Adams dry fly, the most popular fly for over 30 years.

There are thousands of different fly patterns (kinds) available.[3] Many imitate a particular insect a fish might recognize. Other patterns don't look like any insect, but attract fish anyway.[3]

Types change

  • Dry flies are meant to float on top of the water.[1]
  • Wet flies are designed to sink to the bottom of the water.[1]
  • Streamers (called lures in British English) sink to imitate small fish in the water.[4]
  • Terrestrials either float or sink. They imitate insects found on land.[4]


References change

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 "Fly types". Cabela's.com. Archived from the original on 12 May 2015. Retrieved 20 June 2015.
  2. Wakeford, Jacqueline (1992). Fly Tying Tools and Materials. New York: Lyons & Burford Publishers. pp. Preface. ISBN 1-55821-183-7.
  3. 3.0 3.1 "Flies". Fly Fishing for Beginners. Archived from the original on 10 July 2015. Retrieved 20 June 2015.
  4. 4.0 4.1 "An International Glossary of Fly Fishing Terms". The English Fly Fishing Shop. Retrieved 20 June 2015.