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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 Humpy 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

Not your average Humpy. A heavily dressed pattern offering maximum floatability, the Fulling Mill Humpy Red is highly visible for both the fish and...

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Fulling Mill Red Wulff - 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 Fulling Mill Red Wulff is a fly that has been bulked up with hair rather than feathers. Initially designed by Lee Wulff to ensure floatability ...

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Fulling Mill Stimulator Orange - 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 Stimulator Orange by Fulling Mill is a bushy, highly buoyant dry fly designed to resemble a stonefly, grasshopper or large adult sedge. Perfect...

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Fulling Mill Klink Rust

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

Klinkhammer patterns have become a staple Fly pattern, the world over. First tied as an emerging Caddis pattern by Hans Van Klinken, a Dutch fly fi...

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Fulling Mill Foam Bodied Yellow May Dun Barbless

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

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
Original price $4.20 - Original price $4.20
Original price
$4.20
$4.20 - $4.20
Current price $4.20

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 OE Pinkhammer

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

Pretty in pink The Klinkhammer has to one of the greats, an absolute classic that is awesome on its own, as a team, skated or dead-drifted, it's po...

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Fulling Mill CJ's Sparkle Gnat

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

No Idea what they're eating? The good old gnat has been reborn as the Sparkle Gnat. Perfect for imitating a swarm of balling midge that fish gorge ...

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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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Category 3 Trailer Trash - Dry Fly

Category 3 Fly Company
Original price $4.20 - Original price $4.20
Original price
$4.20
$4.20 - $4.20
Current price $4.20

Usually trailed behind another dry as it is very hard to see on the water. When fished in tandem with a dry search pattern it's phenomenal how oft...

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Category 3 Roger That - Dry Fly

Category 3 Fly Company
Original price $4.20 - Original price $4.20
Original price
$4.20
$4.20 - $4.20
Current price $4.20

Pretty effective dry fly in its own right but with the added feature of a foam underwing it can float a size 12 or smaller tungsten bead nymph if ...

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Category 3 Moondance - Dry Fly

Category 3 Fly Company
Original price $4.20 - Original price $4.20
Original price
$4.20
$4.20 - $4.20
Current price $4.20

A pearl body with a high Ultra Violet content Pretty effective dry fly in its own right but with the added feature of a foam underwing it can flo...

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Category 3 Blowfly - Dry Fly

Category 3 Fly Company
Original price $4.20 - Original price $4.20
Original price
$4.20
$4.20 - $4.20
Current price $4.20

Trout Love Blowflies! Lots of foam high floating and easy to see on the water. Tied on a  Tiemco 2488 wide gape fine wire hook.

Category 3 Tricky Situation - Dry Fly

Category 3 Fly Company
Original price $4.20 - Original price $4.20
Original price
$4.20
$4.20 - $4.20
Current price $4.20

You have to have a few parachute flies in your box, this colour is a good twist on an old favourite Tied on a Tiemco 9300 1 X Heavy Gauge Dry Fly ...

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Category 3 Orange Crush - Dry Fly

Category 3 Fly Company
Original price $4.20 - Original price $4.20
Original price
$4.20
$4.20 - $4.20
Current price $4.20

You have to have a few parachute flies in your box, this colour is a good twist on an old favourite Tied on a Tiemco 9300 1 X Heavy Gauge Dry Fly ...

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Category 3 Five By Five - Dry Fly

Category 3 Fly Company
Original price $4.20 - Original price $4.20
Original price
$4.20
$4.20 - $4.20
Current price $4.20

Pretty effective dry fly in its own right but with the added feature of a foam underwing the Five by Five can float a size 12 or smaller tungsten ...

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Category 3 Dead Cert - Dry Fly

Category 3 Fly Company
Original price $4.20 - Original price $4.20
Original price
$4.20
$4.20 - $4.20
Current price $4.20

You have to have a few parachute flies in your box, this colour is a good twist on an old favourite inspired by a Blue Winged Olive. Tied on a Tie...

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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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