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A Dry fly take on dusk

Fly Fishing Gear | Dry Flies

Dun's, Caddis, midge, Hoppers and anything else that float on the water trout eat! There are fe better experiences then watching a proper fish commit to coming to the surface to suck down your floating presentation. We have handpicked a selection of dry flies from quality brands like Fulling Mill, Category 3 and RIO Flies.

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WHAT IS A DRY FLY?

A dry fly is a type of fly designed to float on the water's surface, mimicking insects or terrestrials that naturally land on or hover above the water. Unlike wet flies or nymphs, which sink beneath the surface, dry flies are intended to be seen by fish that are feeding on the top. This makes them particularly effective in situations where fish are actively looking for surface food.

WHEN TO FISH DRY FLIES

Dry fly fishing is most effective during certain times of the year and under specific water conditions. Spring and summer are ideal seasons for using dry flies due to the increased insect activity during these warmer months. This period often features hatches of mayflies, caddisflies, and hoppers, which make the surface of the water a prime feeding zone for fish. Autumn can also be a good time for dry fly fishing, particularly when targeting species that feed on midges or blue-winged olives.

In terms of water conditions, dry flies are best used in clear or lightly stained water. Such conditions allow fish to easily spot the fly on the surface. Additionally, dry flies perform well in slow-moving or still water, where the fly can drift naturally and attract fish without being influenced by strong currents.

WHAT IS AN IDEAL DRY FLY SETUP?

For an ideal dry fly setup, the rod, line, leader, and tippet all play crucial roles. A rod designed for dry fly fishing is typically lightweight, with a weight range from 3 to 5. This helps achieve the delicate presentations required for effective dry fly fishing. Rod lengths usually range from 7.5 to 9 feet. Longer rods provide better casting distance and accuracy, while shorter rods offer improved control in tighter spaces.

The line used should be a weight-forward floating line. This type of line supports the delicate presentation of the fly and helps keep it afloat. Leaders for dry fly fishing are generally longer than those used for other types of fly fishing, ranging from 7.5 to 12 feet. A tapered leader helps with turnover and reduces drag on the surface, which is crucial for a natural presentation.

Tippets are used to connect the leader to the fly and are typically lighter than the leader itself. For dry fly fishing, tippet sizes commonly range from 4X to 6X, depending on the size of the fly and the fish being targeted. The lighter tippet ensures that the dry fly drifts naturally on the water, enhancing its effectiveness in attracting fish.

NEED HELP CHOOSING FLIES? CONTACT US TODAY

If you have a particular dry fly setup in mind but would appreciate some additional advice. Simply get in touch with our friendly sales team – they’re always up for a chat. You can contact us by calling our Tumut store on (02) 6947 4062 or by email.


Fulling Mill McPhail Blowfly

Fulling Mill
Original price $4.20 - Original price $4.20
Original price
$4.20
$4.20 - $4.20
Current price $4.20

Everyone needs good Blowie in their Box Blowfly patterns are synonmas with big trout, searching big rifles in open braided rivers, slapping them do...

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Fulling Mill McPhail R/Tag H/Hopper

Fulling Mill
Original price $4.20 - Original price $4.20
Original price
$4.20
$4.20 - $4.20
Current price $4.20

Take a Red-Tag and a Hopper, Smash them Together, Brilliant. Rather than being a Frankenstein of a fly, this is the perfect combination of a beetle...

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Fulling Mill Mohican Mayfly

Fulling Mill
Original price $4.20 - Original price $4.20
Original price
$4.20
$4.20 - $4.20
Current price $4.20

A fantastic Kosciuszko dun pattern Big Mayflys, Big results. The Mohican will slay those big Kozzie Dun feeders when the big bugs pop. 

Fulling Mill Dad's Demoiselle

Fulling Mill
Original price $4.20 - Original price $4.20
Original price
$4.20
$4.20 - $4.20
Current price $4.20

Trout love a Damsel in Distress  An Excellent crippled/egg laying Damsel pattern with a dis-jointed hanging thorax that will stand out in a swarm o...

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Fulling Mill Rusty Spent Spinner - Dry Fly

Fulling Mill
Original price $4.20 - Original price $4.20
Original price
$4.20
$4.20 - $4.20
Current price $4.20

The Rusty is a Modern Classic for a reason, it works. 

Fulling Mill Green Drake - Dry Fly

Fulling Mill
Original price $4.20 - Original price $4.20
Original price
$4.20
$4.20 - $4.20
Current price $4.20

A style of fly bulked up with hair rather than feathers, originated by American angler Lee Wulff to ensure floatability on the big fast western USA...

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Fulling Mill Chernobyl Ant Black Tan - Dry Fly

Fulling Mill
Original price $4.20 - Original price $4.20
Original price
$4.20
$4.20 - $4.20
Current price $4.20

The Chernobyl Ant is an unusual looking fly that is constructed from foam so it is unsinkable, the mobile legs will move with the even slightest of...

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Fulling Mill CdC & Elk - Barbless Dry Fly

Fulling Mill
Original price $4.20 - Original price $4.20
Original price
$4.20
$4.20 - $4.20
Current price $4.20

The original Elk Wing Caddis has had the wing modified to include CdC feathers for increased floatation, A few false casts will dry the fly off. On...

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Fulling Mill Black Magic Klinkhammer - Barbless Dry Fly

Fulling Mill
Original price $4.20 - Original price $4.20
Original price
$4.20
$4.20 - $4.20
Current price $4.20

A best seller. Klinkhammer series flies are named after their inventor Hans Van Klinken from Holland. These sit perfectly on the water because of t...

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Fulling Mill Parachute Adams Barbless Dry Fly

Fulling Mill
Original price $4.20 - Original price $4.20
Original price
$4.20
$4.20 - $4.20
Current price $4.20

A best seller. A classic dry fly, hugely effective all over the world- if you had to limit yourself to just one dry this would surely be it. Barbl...

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Fulling Mill JL Mole Barbless Dry Fly

Fulling Mill
Original price $4.20 - Original price $4.20
Original price
$4.20
$4.20 - $4.20
Current price $4.20

A best seller. A very universal F-Fly variant from Jeremy Lucas, especially good when the fish are feeding on small sedges or dark midge. Barbless.

Fulling Mill Deer Hair Emerger Barbless Dry Fly

Fulling Mill
Original price $4.20 - Original price $4.20
Original price
$4.20
$4.20 - $4.20
Current price $4.20

Easy pickings for fish feeding on adult or emerging bugs or wind blown terrestrials that have become trapped in and on the surface film. Barbless.

Fulling Mill Quill CdC Emerger Natural Barbless Dry Fly

Fulling Mill
Original price $4.20 - Original price $4.20
Original price
$4.20
$4.20 - $4.20
Current price $4.20

No Trout fishers fly box is complete, without an array of Emerger patterns. The Fulling Mills CdC Emerger is a great starting point. The use of CdC...

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Fulling Mill Breadcrust - Specialist Carp Fly

Fulling Mill
Original price $3.90 - Original price $3.90
Original price
$3.90
$3.90 - $3.90
Current price $3.90

A very effective fly when fish are coming up for bread. The Fulling Mill Specialist range has been tailor made for anglers looking to target...

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Fulling Mill White Bread - Specialist Carp Fly

Fulling Mill
Original price $3.30 - Original price $3.30
Original price
$3.30
$3.30 - $3.30
Current price $3.30

Carp ain't hard when you feed em bread! Just mix this into your burley trail, load up some stiff tippet and go pull a pest outta a river for us!

Fulling Mill Close Copy Dog Biscuit - Specialist Carp Fly

Fulling Mill
Original price $3.90 - Original price $3.90
Original price
$3.90
$3.90 - $3.90
Current price $3.90

A popular dog biscuit imitation. Throw in some floating loose feed to get the fish feeding on the surface, then fish this fly over the top.

Fulling Mill CdC Bibio - Barbless Premium Dry Fly

Fulling Mill
Original price $4.20 - Original price $4.20
Original price
$4.20
$4.20 - $4.20
Current price $4.20

The CdC Bibio is a variation on the original Hopper as it uses the natural water repellent properties of the CdC feather to keep it in the surface ...

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Fulling Mill Barry's CdC Red Tag - Barbless Premium Dry Fly

Fulling Mill
Original price $4.20 - Original price $4.20
Original price
$4.20
$4.20 - $4.20
Current price $4.20

A best seller CdC variant of the Red Tag, a versatile fly, fish it as a Red Tag or cut the tail off and you have a black F-Fly. Barbless

Fulling Mill CdC March Brown - Barbless Premium Dry Fly

Fulling Mill
Original price $4.20 - Original price $4.20
Original price
$4.20
$4.20 - $4.20
Current price $4.20

March Browns are an important part of the trouts early season diet, with its slender upright wing this is a great fly to match the natural and temp...

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Fulling Mill Retirer Sedge - Barbless Premium Dry Fly

Fulling Mill
Original price $4.20 - Original price $4.20
Original price
$4.20
$4.20 - $4.20
Current price $4.20

Based on the brilliant Elk Hair Caddis this is an excellent Sedge pattern, highly imitative and also very buoyant due to its wing of both deer hair...

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Fulling Mill Championship Caddis - Barbless Premium Dry Fly

Fulling Mill
Original price $4.20 - Original price $4.20
Original price
$4.20
$4.20 - $4.20
Current price $4.20

The dense CdC feather wing of this adult caddis imitation gives a perfect silhouette of an adult natural, if the fly gets drowned a few false casts...

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Fulling Mill Bristol Hopper Red Premium Dry Fly

Fulling Mill
Original price $4.20 - Original price $4.20
Original price
$4.20
$4.20 - $4.20
Current price $4.20

  The original standard Bristol Hopper. Inspired by small craneflies blowing onto the lake and 'hopping' from wave to wave, this style has become a...

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Fulling Mill Braided Butt Damsel - Premium Dry Fly

Fulling Mill
Original price $4.20 - Original price $4.20
Original price
$4.20
$4.20 - $4.20
Current price $4.20

Adult damsel flies are a common sight in warmer months and are eagerly hunted by trout. This pattern is effective whenever naturals are seen hoveri...

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Fulling Mill Wulff Royal- Premium Dry Fly

Fulling Mill
Original price $4.20 - Original price $4.20
Original price
$4.20
$4.20 - $4.20
Current price $4.20

Definitely one of the most effective dry-flys of all time; all hail Wulff!  A style of fly bulked up with hair rather than feathers. Originated by ...

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