Choosing between a dry fly vs a wet fly can have a big impact on your success. Dry flies float and imitate adult insects on the surface. Wet flies sink and mimic aquatic life below. Knowing when to use each one—and how—can help you catch more fish and fish more confidently.
Keep reading to learn the differences, when to use each, and tips for getting the most out of both.
Understanding Dry Flies and Wet Flies
Dry flies and wet flies are two of the most common tools in fly fishing, and each works best in different situations. The main difference? Dry flies float on the surface and mimic bugs like mayflies or ants. Wet flies sink below and imitate things like nymphs, larvae, or small baitfish.
Dry flies are great when fish are rising to feed on top—you’ll often see them jump or sip at the surface. Wet flies come in handy when fish are staying low, like on windy days, bright afternoons, or in colder water. Learning how—and when—to use both gives you way more flexibility on the water.
What is a Dry Fly?
A dry fly is made to float on the surface of the water and attract fish that are feeding up top. These flies are tied to look like adult insects—like mayflies, caddisflies, or even ants—that land on or hover just above the water.
They’re made with lightweight, floaty materials like deer hair, foam, or stiff hackle to help them stay on top. Dry flies also use thin hooks so they don’t sink too easily.
One of the best parts of dry fly fishing is the visual action. You cast out, watch your fly drift along the surface—and if you’re lucky, see a fish rise and take it. It’s exciting and fun to watch in real time.
Some go-to dry fly patterns include the Adams, Royal Wulff, and Elk Hair Caddis. These are staples in most anglers’ fly boxes because they work well in all kinds of conditions.
What is a Wet Fly?
Wet flies are designed to sink and look like the kinds of food fish eat underwater—things like nymphs, larvae, pupae, or even tiny baitfish. They’re usually made with soft materials that move naturally in the water, which helps them look alive.
These flies are great when fish aren’t feeding on the surface. They come in handy on windy days, in deeper water, or when the weather cools down and wet flies become more effective.
Adding wet flies to your setup gives you more options—especially when surface action is slow.
When to Use Dry Flies vs. Wet Flies
Knowing when to use a dry fly or a wet fly can really improve your chances out on the water. It mostly comes down to the time of day, the weather, and how the fish are acting.
Dry flies work best when fish are feeding near the surface—like early morning, late evening, or on overcast days. Summer and fall are also great times to use them, especially when bugs like ants or beetles are landing on the water. If you see fish rising, that’s your cue to tie on a dry fly—especially one that matches the hatch.
Wet flies are a better choice when the surface bite slows down. They shine on windy days, in deeper water, or when it’s cold and the fish are staying lower. If nothing’s happening up top, switch to a wet fly and go deeper where the fish are hanging out.
Being flexible and knowing when to use wet and dry flies helps you cover more water and catch more fish.
Techniques for Fishing with Dry Flies
Fishing with dry flies takes a little practice, but it’s one of the most rewarding parts of fly fishing. The goal is to make your fly look like a real insect drifting naturally on the surface—so casting and presentation really matter.
Dry flies work best when they land gently and float just like the real thing. That means paying attention to how and where you cast. You want to place your fly just ahead of where the fish are rising so it floats right to them.
Casting and Presentation
Try to cast upstream whenever you can. This lets your fly drift down naturally with the current, which looks more realistic to the fish. Aim for a soft landing and keep your line and leader from slapping the water too hard. Little adjustments like reach casts can help you control where the fly lands and how it drifts.
Getting a Drag-Free Drift
A good drift is everything with dry flies. If the current pulls your line and drags the fly unnaturally, fish are way less likely to bite. To fix this, you’ll need to “mend” your line—basically adjusting it after the cast so it floats freely with the water.
Keep an eye on your fly, your line, and how the current is moving. The more natural it looks, the better your chances of getting a strike. It takes some practice, but once you get it down, you’ll be surprised how often the fish respond.
Techniques for Fishing with Wet Flies
Wet fly fishing is a little different than using dry flies—it requires more feel and attention below the surface. Instead of floating on the surface, these flies sink and move like bugs or small fish underwater. They’re great when fish aren’t rising and are feeding below the surface.
To fish them well, you’ll need to focus on how the fly moves and learn how to spot the more subtle strikes that happen under the water.
Sinking and Movement
Wet flies are meant to sink and look like things fish eat underwater—like nymphs, larvae, or even tiny baitfish. The materials used help them move naturally in the current, which gets the fish’s attention.
A simple way to fish them is to let your fly sink a bit, then slowly pull it through the water with short, steady strips. This gives it the look of real underwater prey. Flies like soft hackles are especially good for this—they move really well and can fool even picky fish.
Detecting Strikes
Strikes on wet flies aren’t always obvious. Sometimes it’s just a quick tap or a slight change in the way your line moves. That’s why it’s important to stay focused—watch your line and pay attention to how it feels.
If your line twitches or suddenly stops drifting like it should, it might be a fish. Set the hook just in case. The more you fish wet flies, the better you’ll get at feeling those subtle takes—and reacting fast enough to land the fish.
Benefits of Dry Flies and Wet Flies
Having both dry and wet flies in your kit sets you up for success in just about any situation. Some days, fish are rising and hitting the surface—other days, they’re hugging the bottom. If you’re only fishing one style, you’re missing out.
Using both gives you the flexibility to adapt. It helps you read the water better, respond to changing conditions, and stay in the game whether you’re dealing with clear skies, fast currents, or unpredictable fish behavior.
A well-rounded fly box means more time fishing—and more chances to catch.
Advantages of Dry Flies
Dry flies are all about the experience. Watching a fish rise and strike your fly on the surface is one of the most exciting moments in fly fishing. They’re especially useful during hatches, when insects are active and fish are feeding near the water surface. Dry flies also help you spot strikes easily since you can see the fly the whole time. For many anglers, that visual element makes dry fly fishing the most rewarding style out there.
Advantages of Wet Flies
Wet flies are the workhorses of fly fishing. When fish aren’t feeding on the surface—or when conditions like wind or sun push them deeper—wet flies keep you in the game. They’re great for covering more water and picking up fish that might be ignoring surface activity. Whether you’re swinging them through current or letting them drift low, wet flies give you more options when fish are being picky or playing it safe.
Common Dry Fly Patterns
There are tons of dry fly patterns out there, each designed to mimic different insects that fish love to eat. Some imitate aquatic bugs hatching on the water, while others copy land insects that fall in from nearby trees and bushes. A few typical dry flies every angler should keep in their fly box include the Adams, Elk Hair Caddis, and Royal Wulff. These flies work in all kinds of water and conditions, making them reliable go-tos when you’re not sure what the fish are after.
Here are two popular patterns worth knowing:
Elk Hair Caddis
This one’s a favorite for a reason. The Elk Hair Caddis is built to imitate adult caddisflies and floats high thanks to its buoyant elk hair. That makes it perfect for faster water where other flies might sink or get dragged under. It’s a versatile fly that performs well in both moving and still water, especially when caddisflies or similar bugs are active.
Ants and Beetles
Trout love land bugs that drop into the water, especially ants and beetles. These flies are great for summer and fall when insects are more likely to get blown off trees and into streams. It’s smart to carry a few winged and wingless ant patterns in natural colors like black or cinnamon. Beetles, with their larger profile, can be just as tempting—especially in shaded areas where fish wait for an easy snack. They’re a solid choice when there’s no hatch going on but you still want to tempt a surface strike.
Popular Wet Fly Patterns
Wet flies are meant to look like what fish eat below the surface—things like nymphs, small baitfish, emerging insects, and larvae. There are a few main types to know:
- Nymphs
- Emergers
- Streamers
- Soft hackles
Each has its strengths depending on what fish are feeding on and where they’re hanging out in the water. Let’s take a quick look at two patterns that belong in just about every fly box.
Soft Hackles
Soft hackles are super versatile and easy to fish. Their thin, flowing fibers move naturally in the water, which makes them great at mimicking emerging insects or small aquatic critters. You don’t need a complicated presentation—just swing them across the current or let them drift naturally. They’re especially good when fish are feeding just below the surface but not rising.
Streamers
Streamers are the big dogs of the wet fly world. They’re made to imitate baitfish, leeches, or other larger prey—and they’re perfect when you’re targeting bigger, more aggressive fish. Cast them near the structure, strip them back with some action, and be ready for a hard strike. If you’re looking to hook something that pulls hard, streamers are your go-to.
Wrapping It Up
Dry flies float. Wet flies sink. And knowing when to use each one can seriously level up your fly fishing game. Dry flies shine when fish are rising to the surface, while wet flies are great when the bite is happening below. Both styles have their place—and the real magic comes when you know how to use them together.
Understanding the basics of dry fly vs wet fly strategy helps you fish more effectively in changing conditions. From reading the water to choosing the right pattern, fly fishing success comes from paying attention and adapting. Hopefully, this guide gave you a clearer picture of how to do just that—and maybe even try something new on your next trip.
Want to Put These Tips Into Action?
There’s no better way to sharpen your skills than with a guided day on the water. At Sierra Fly Fisher, our expert guides tailor each trip to your experience level and goals—whether you’re just getting started or fine-tuning your technique. We’ll help you make sense of fly selection, casting, reading water, and more—all while fishing some of the best spots in the Sierra.
Ready to make your next outing your best yet? Book a trip with Sierra Fly Fisher and let’s go catch some fish.