Fly fishing is a method of angling that revolves around using an artificial, lightweight fly as bait. Slightly different from regular fishing, the practice involves the use of a fly rod, reel, a specialized weighted line, and a lure.
These lures will typically resemble a natural organism such as an invertebrate, baitfish, or a crustacean that fish are known for being attracted to. The sport is renowned as a method of catching a wide range of fish types such as trout, salmon, pike, bass, carp, and various marine species such as snook and redfish.
Trout fish are a species that are renowned for being particularly attracted to terrestrial insects. Because of this, fly fishing is becoming one of the most popular methods of luring them in. When it comes to fly fishing for trout, there are essentially two categories that the imitative flies fall into: dry flies and wet flies.
The dry fly is the type of fly that floats on top of the water’s surface. Dry fly fishing allows for a first-hand view of fish feeding which can be an extremely unique and exciting experience. On the other hand, wet flies resemble the insects that live below the water’s surface, so the practice is a lot more similar to regular trout fishing.
When it comes to choosing the right flies for trout fishing, it can be difficult to know which type to go for. With such a wide range of flies to choose from, we know the market can be overwhelming which is why we thought we would provide you with a little bit of guidance.
Below, we have reviewed 5 of the best flies for trout fishing that are available on the market today. We have also included a short buyer’s guide which should help you make the right decision and have answered a few questions that we think you might find helpful.
Top 5 Best Flies For Trout
OUR TOP PICK
Outdoor Planet Flies For Trout
EDITORS CHOICE
BH Copper John Flies For Trout
BEST VALUE
Croch Flies For Trout
OUR TOP PICK
Outdoor Planet Flies For Trout
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This 24 pc Classic Adams collection would be a fantastic addition to any fly angler’s fishing bag. Housed in a 100% waterproof, lightweight box, this collection includes a wide variety of flies ranging from a size 10 to a size 18. Sealed with rubber and made with high-quality, durable plastic, this box ensures to keep the flies safe and dry both in and out of the water.
The collection includes Adams cripple, Adams, Adams Olive, Hi-Viz Parachute Adams, and Adams Parachute flies which will are each designed to effectively catch trout fish in lakes, streams, and rivers. They also come in a range of realistic patterns that are specifically designed to attract trout fish.
Due to the subtle, camouflage shades of the flies, this collection would be perfect for someone looking to fish in the clearer waters of the colder months but the brand offers a variety of other collections that are more suitable for the summer months and the murkier waters. This collection would be a fantastic gift for any dedicated fly-fishing enthusiast who is looking to increase their number of trout catches.
Pros
- -A durable, lightweight box which will keep flies completely dry
- -Reasonably priced
- -Assorted fly types
- -Attractive and realistic patterns
- -Suitable for a range of water bodies
Cons
- -Due to their coloring, these flies might not be as effective in darker, muddier waters
- 24 Classic adams collection includes: Adams Cripple, Adams Parachute, Adams, Adams Olive, Hi-Viz Parachute Adams etcs
- Tied with premium, durable materials, Must-have fly pattern, effective catches fish on river streams and lakes
- Fly size covers range from #10 to #18
- Waterproof Pocket Fly Box, size: 5.31*3.2*1.5inch
- Great gift for your favorite angler or beginning fly fishing assortment
EDITORS CHOICE
BH Copper John Flies For Trout
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Available in a range of color assortments, the BH Copper John Flies Collection would be a wonderful choice for any fly fishing beginners. The collection includes 6 John Trout Wet Fishing Flies of sizes 12, 14, and 16. This variety of sizes will allow you to catch trout all year round, especially during the late summer and early fall.
The different color options available also allows you to choose the right color fly for the water conditions in which you are going to be fishing and the type of fish you are going to be targeting. The nymph shape of these flies will be sure to attract plenty of trout as they imitate the kinds of food that trout primarily feed on.
These BH Copper John Flies are built with extremely durable and high-quality materials meaning they will be able to withstand all sorts of strikes and bites. This means that you won’t have to worry about having to replace them any time soon.
These flies also come housed in an incredibly strong, waterproof box that will ensure that your fly collection will stay both dry and safe no matter what conditions you are fishing in. At such a reasonable price, this classic fly collection would make a fantastic gift for any fishing enthusiast.
Pros
- -Available in a range of colors
- -Made of high-quality materials
- -Reasonably priced
- -Lightweight and portable
- -Nymph shape for ultimate productivity
Cons
- -Only 6 flies included in the collection
- 6 Copper John Trout Wet Fly Fishing Flies; sizes 12, 14, 16 (2 of each size)
- Durable - same quality you'll find at your local fly shop at nearly 1/2 the price
- Catch trout year round! Essential for late Summer, Fall, and Winter fly fishing.
- Gift Worth Giving - the #1 pattern in the world imitating trout's #1 food source, nymphs
- 100% Satisfaction Guarantee - you're protected by a 30 day, no-questions asked money back guarantee!
BEST VALUE
Croch Flies For Trout
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This 120pc trout fly collection is one of the most popular fly collections on the market. The collection includes a whopping 21 types of flies, including Elk Hairs, Emerging Insects, Red Body Mosquitos, Wasp Simulations, Black Streamer Flies, Pheasant Tailed Flies, Yellow Flying Caddis and many more.
It also consists of 6 different hook sizes and 5 different subtypes to suit a wide range of fishing techniques. This impressive collection is contained in a durable, double-sided box made of ABS material and sealed with rubber. Whilst this box houses 120 flies, it is extremely compact and lightweight enough to easily carry in your fishing bag.
The flies themselves are extremely well made and have been hand-tied by professionals with sharp carbon steel hooks. They are also incredibly lightweight which makes them seem a lot more realistic to fish. The flies come in a variety of colors that are suited to all types of conditions.
Whether you’re fly fishing for trout in the murkier waters of the summer or the clearer waters of the winter, the collection provides plenty of options. You can also find this collection in a slightly smaller size, which would be perfect for those novice fly fishers!
Pros
- -Huge variety of flies
- -Includes different hook types
- -Highly durable, waterproof box for ultimate protection
- -Varied colors to suit a range of water conditions
- -Ideal for both still and flowing water
Cons
- -Colors are not as realistic as some of the other options
- LIGHT ENOUGH--Small Light Weight Flies that will sure draw the attention of the fish
- WELL MADE QUALITY FLIES--Hand-tied by professionals with sharp carbon steel hooks
- MULTI COLOR TO CHOOSE FOR DIFFERENT SITUATIONS--21 different styles, 6 different hook sizes, 5 different files,allows the option of fishing in various conditions
- EXTREMELY LIFE LIKE PATTERNS--Vivid colors, easy to draw gamefish's attention, suitable for flowing water;Wide variety of colors allows the option of fishing in various conditions
- WATERPROOF TACKLE BOX: Dimension: approx. 5.11"(L) * 3.5" (W) *1.57" (H). Double ABS side, more sturdy
RUNNER UP
PisciFun Dry Flies For Trout
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This 12 pc PisciFun Dry Flies Collection is an ideal option for anyone just starting out in the world of fly fishing. Small in size and incredibly lightweight, this kit is perfect for taking out on those prolonged fishing trips that might require a little bit of hiking. The flies themselves are also extraordinarily lightweight, weighing just 0.1g, which makes them seem much more realistic to the fish.
The flies are very well made and hand-tied by professionals with strong, sharp hooks. They are designed to appear almost like butterflies with unique, vivid patterns which is extremely attractive to fish types such as trout.
The bright colors of these flies make them a brilliant option for those who tend to fish in the darker, murkier lakes of the summer months where more visibility is needed. This collection of flies is extremely user friendly and perfect for those beginners who are looking for a simple, affordable kit to get them going. The Piscifun trout flies are also available in collections of nymphs and streamer flies to suit all types of preferences.
Pros
- -Affordable
- -Available in other types
- -User friendly
- -Highly attractive and vivid color patterns
- -Lightweight and easy to carry around
Cons
- -Not so great for clear waters
- Length of Each Lure: Approx. 0.79inch/2cm
- Weight of Each Lure: Approx. 0.003oz/0.1g
- 12pcs Floating Fly Fishing Flies Set Butterfly Like
- Hand-tied by professionals with Sharp Strong Hooks
- Vivid colors, easy to draw gamefish's attention, suitable for flowing water
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Flies Direct Elk Hare Flies For Trout
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The Flies Direct Elk Hare Flies For Trout is another brilliant collection for the keen trout fishers out there. Constructed of high-quality materials and hand-crafted by professionals, these realistic flies will be sure to get you countless bites.
The 24pc kit, includes a mixture of Wooly Bugger Streamer Flies, Elk Hare Caddis Olive Dry Flies and Prine Nymph Flies that are each designed to attract different kinds and sizes of fish. The hook size of these flies ranges from a 12 to an 18, meaning the kit is suitable to be used all year round.
This kit would be a fantastic option for beginners who want to try out not just dry flies but nymph flies and streamer flies. They can then decide which fly type works best for them, before investing in a larger, more suitable fly collection.
The flies are also extremely realistic in both their weight and their pattern so you will have no issues when it comes to attracting the fish. At such a reasonable price, you really can’t go wrong with this versatile collection.
Pros
- -Very reasonably priced
- -Compact and extremely lightweight
- -Range of different sized flies
- -User friendly
- -Includes dry flies, nymphs and streamers
Cons
- -Not the highest quality
- Hand-Tied By Professionals Who Take Great Pride In Their Craftsmanship
- Flies Are Tied Using High Quality Mustad Hooks
- Country Of Origin: South Africa
- Model Number:1000
Best Flies For Trout Buying Guide
In order to fly fish, you will need to get yourself some good quality flies. As you can see from above, there are some brilliant options out there that are not only realistic and practical but extremely affordable.
Despite this, it can still be difficult to know exactly which fish fly will work for you. Before deciding, you will need to consider the size you want, the color you want, and ultimately, what type of fly you want. Let’s take a more detailed look at the kinds of things you should be keeping in mind whilst browsing:
Size
Fishing flies are referred to by a number that denotes the size of the hook in which the fly is tied. When it comes to trout flies, typically the smaller the number, the larger the fly. For example, a size 16 Adams fly will actually be smaller than a size 12 Adams fly. The size of the fly you choose will depend on a multitude of things.
One of the determining factors is the time of year in which you are going to be fly fishing. In the colder months, there tend to be fewer insects around, so your fly size should be quite small. In the warmer months, there are a lot more different kinds of insects around so your fly size should generally increase. You should also start taking note of the kinds of real flies you see around the water so that you can use a similar replicant.
Type
There are various types of fishing flies that are commonly used to attract trouts. These are dry flies, nymph flies, and streamer flies. Let’s take a look at the differences between them:
The Dry Fly
The dry fly is one of the most exciting types of flies to use when fishing for trout. This is because they are designed to be cast on to the surface of the water and hence, you will be able to get a first-hand view of the fish feeding process. It will also allow you to see when the fish has taken to the fly, unlike wet fly fishing.
Dry flies are designed in many different shapes, sizes, and colors. They are meant to closely resemble the types of insects that you will typically see around lakes, such as mayflies and stoneflies or the grasshoppers and ants that you will sometimes see floating on top of the water.
The Streamer
The streamer fly is one of the most unique fly types to use when fly fishing for trout. These flies tend to resemble foods such as sculpins and leaches and other larger varieties of underwater food-types.
The streamer is designed to be used with a slightly heavier weight of tippet which works to create almost an aggressive impact on the water. The streamer is then meant to be pulled along the water to create a realistic underwater pulsing movement that fish are highly attracted to.
The Nymph
The nymph fly is generally considered the most productive fly type for trout fishing. This is because approximately 80% of the time, trout will feed under the water. The nymph fly resembles the early stage of insects such as mayflies and stoneflies whilst they are still living underneath the surface of the water. They are usually found in abundance and this is why they are so attractive to trout.
Color
The color of the fly you use should depend entirely on the water in which you are going to be using it. In clear water, subtle colors such as indigo, purple, and maroon will be extremely effective, whilst in murky water, bright, fluorescent colors will be a lot better in terms of visibility. Brighter colors are much more effective when it comes to greater distance fishing, but they can sometimes deter the fish who prefer the natural color of bait. You can also opt for black and red flies which will provide greater contrast in most water types.
You can also choose your fly color according to the season in which you are going to be fishing. As a general rule, flies will be darker in late fall, winter, and the early spring, and they will be lighter and brighter from mid-spring to mid-fall.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why should I use fishing flies for trout fishing?
Trout are renowned for being attracted to insects so imitative flies are the perfect way of luring them in. Fly fishing can also be an extremely exciting experience as if using dry flies, you will be able to watch the feeding process from a first-hand perspective. Fly fishing also removes all the hassle of regular bait fishing such as the mess, the maintenance, and having to keep re-purchasing every time you run out.
How can I tell the difference between a wet fly and a dry fly?
Flies can be confusing, especially when you are new to fly fishing, but there are a few ways that you can determine whether the fly is a wet fly or a dry fly. Wet flies are typically nymphs, streamers, hatching flies or emergers, so if the fly falls into one of these categories, it is likely a wet fly. On the other hand, dry flies tend to resemble fully grown insects or flies. You will also notice that there is a significant size difference between the two types. Dry flies typically run from size 12 and above whilst wet flies typically run from a size 10 and above.
Can I use fishing flies all year round?
Fish flying is a practice that can be carried out all year long but is best done in the spring, late summer and fall. This is because of the trout’s diet in the warmer weather, which tends to consist of large quantities of mosquitos and other insects. This means that the trout are much more likely to bite during the warmer months.