Old Flies in New Dresses: How to Dress Dry Flies with the Wings in the Natural

Dry fly fishing is a beautiful and challenging way to catch trout. It requires a delicate touch, a keen eye, and a well-dressed fly. One of the most important aspects of dressing a dry fly is the wings. The wings are what keep the fly afloat, and they also play a role in the fly's appearance and movement.

Traditional dry flies are dressed with the wings in the upright position. This is a good starting point, but it's not always the best way to present the fly to the fish. In many cases, it's better to dress the wings in the natural position. This means that the wings are folded back over the body of the fly, just like they are on a real insect.

Old Flies in New Dresses How to Dress Dry Flies with the Wings in the Natural Position and Some New Wet Flies

by Emma Ashwood

4.7 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	207 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	146 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

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Dressing dry flies with the wings in the natural can be a bit more challenging than dressing them in the upright position, but it's worth the effort. Flies dressed in the natural are more realistic, and they often fish better than flies dressed in the upright position.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Start by tying on a hook. The size of the hook will depend on the size of the fly you want to tie.
2. Wrap the thread around the hook shank and tie in a tail. The tail can be made from a variety of materials, such as deer hair, elk hair, or synthetic fibers.
3. Tie in a body. The body can be made from a variety of materials, such as dubbing, yarn, or fur.
4. Tie in a thorax. The thorax is the part of the fly that connects the body to the wings.
5. Tie in the wings. The wings can be made from a variety of materials, such as feathers, hair, or synthetic fibers.
6. Fold the wings back over the body of the fly.
7. Secure the wings with a few wraps of thread.
8. Finish the fly by tying off the thread and trimming the excess.

Detailed Illustrations

The following illustrations show the steps involved in dressing a dry fly with the wings in the natural.

Expert Advice

Here are some expert tips for dressing dry flies with the wings in the natural.

• Use a variety of materials for the wings. This will give your flies a more realistic appearance.
• Experiment with different wing shapes and sizes. This will help you find the best way to present the fly to the fish.
• Don't be afraid to fold the wings back over the body of the fly. This will give the fly a more natural appearance and make it more effective.
• Practice makes perfect. The more you tie dry flies with the wings in the natural, the better you will get at it.

Dressing dry flies with the wings in the natural is a great way to improve your fly fishing success. It's a bit more challenging than dressing flies in the upright position, but it's worth the effort. Flies dressed in the natural are more realistic, and they often fish better than flies dressed in the upright position.

So, if you're looking for a way to improve your dry fly fishing, give dressing flies with the wings in the natural a try. You won't be disappointed.

Old Flies in New Dresses How to Dress Dry Flies with the Wings in the Natural Position and Some New Wet Flies

by Emma Ashwood

4.7 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	207 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	146 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE