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 TODAYIf 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 OE Mohican March Brown Barbless
Fulling Mill
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A Kosciuszko Dun patter par-excellence. This is the ultimate evolution of the famous Mohican from Fulling Mill. We order them in fast before the ma...
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Fulling Mill Christopher Bassano's Shaving Brush Hares Ear/Possum
Fulling Mill AU
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A must-have Australian mayfly emerger pattern. The Shaving Brush Hares Ear/Possum is the textbook Kosi-Dun emerger. Tied with hares ear and possum ...
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Fulling Mill Christopher Bassano's Shaving Brush Claret
Fulling Mill AU
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The perfect emerging mayfly silhouette Bassano's Shaving Brush Claret is a staple for evening risers and lakes. The emerging mayfly shape with the ...
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Fulling Mill Christopher Bassano's Zulu Tag
Fulling Mill AU
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The famous red tag just got better. A variation of the popular red tag, Christopher Bassano's Zulu Tag is a fantastic dry fly for rivers and lakes ...
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Fulling Mill Christopher Bassano's Hares Ear Klinkhammer
Fulling Mill AU
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The Hares Ear Klinkhammer is a versatile necessity in any Angler's arsenal. Highly buoyant, highly visible emerger dry-fly pattern perfect for a dr...
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Fulling Mill Christopher Bassano's Palmered Orange Tag
Fulling Mill AU
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A slight variation on the popular red tag, a go-to trout fly in Australia and abroad. The Palmered Orange Tag floats high and is a great attractor ...
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Fulling Mill Foam Bodied Yellow May Dun Barbless
Fulling Mill
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This Mayfly Dun pattern from Fulling mills consists of a yellow foam body for added buoyancy and easy sighting in low light conditions . A perfect ...
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Fulling Mill OE Mohican Yellow May Dun Barbless
Fulling Mill
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The Yellow OE Mohican May Dun from Fulling Mills has Poly-Yarn and CdC legs tied into the pattern for a realistic look. The high parachute on the b...
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Fulling Mill CdC & Elk - Barbless Dry Fly
Fulling Mill
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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 CdC Bibio - Barbless Premium Dry Fly
Fulling Mill
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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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