dry fly

bait

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Last updated

June 25, 2026

Quick Summary

A dry fly is an artificial angling lure designed to float on the water's surface. It is used in fly-fishing, a method of angling that employs a long rod and a weighted line to cast artificial flies made of hair, feathers, or synthetic materials that imitate the natural food of fish.12

Fly-tying is the craft of creating these artificial flies. Dry flies specifically imitate insects in their adult or emerging stages, designed to float and attract fish that are feeding on insects on the water's surface. This technique dates back to ancient times and has evolved significantly, with a dedicated following among anglers who exclusively use dry flies.32

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fly-tying
Features and techniques
Dry flies, representing the perfect or imago stage, are those that float on the surface. Constructed from materials that will aid flotation, these flies attempt to imitate insects that are either emerging from the stream or returning to it to lay eggs or to die…
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Dry flies, representing the perfect or imago stage, are those that float on the surface. Constructed from materials that will aid flotation, these flies attempt to imitate insects that are either emerging from the stream or returning to it to lay eggs or to die…
Read More