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Fly Fishing Gear | Wet Flies

Wet flies are amongst some of the first flies ever tied and still fish as good today as they did back then. Fish them in a team or by themselves, on a river or lake, from the bank or boat, their fish pulling ability is second to none and still holds a place in every angler's box!

Here at Tom's Outdoors, we carry a wide selection of Australian favourites and timeless classics that will cover your everyday situations. Check out our curated collection online or in-store here in Tumut.

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WHAT IS A WET FLY?

A wet fly is a type of fishing fly designed to imitate insects and other aquatic creatures in their sub-surface stages. Unlike dry flies, which float on the water’s surface, wet flies are intended to sink and drift below the surface. They often mimic various stages of aquatic insects, including nymphs, pupae, or small fish, and can also represent other food sources like worms or crustaceans. Wet flies are effective for catching fish that are feeding below the surface or in areas where surface insects are not present.

WHEN TO FISH WET FLIES

Wet flies are particularly effective when fish are not actively rising to the surface, such as during low insect activity, or when surface insects are scarce. They are versatile and can be used throughout the year, making them a reliable choice in various conditions. Wet flies are ideal for fishing in both moving and still water, especially in areas where fish are holding near the bottom or in deeper pools. They are also useful in situations with varying water clarity, as they can still attract fish despite reduced visibility.

WHAT IS AN IDEAL WET FLY SETUP?

For an ideal wet fly setup, the rod, line, leader, and tippet all need to be carefully selected to match the specific conditions and fishing techniques.

Rod: A rod suitable for wet fly fishing typically ranges from 3 to 6 weight, with a length of 8 to 10 feet. The rod should have a moderate action to facilitate casting and presentation of the wet flies, allowing for a smooth drift below the surface.

Line: The line used for wet fly fishing is usually a weight-forward floating line or an intermediate sink tip line. The floating line allows for easier casting and a more controlled presentation, while the sink tip line helps the wet fly reach the desired depth more quickly.

Leader: Leaders for wet fly fishing are generally 9 to 12 feet long. A tapered leader helps with turnover and smooth presentation. Depending on the fishing technique and water conditions, a slightly heavier leader may be used to ensure the fly sinks properly and to withstand the potential fight with larger fish.

Tippet: Tippets should be selected based on the size of the wet fly and the target fish. Tippet sizes for wet fly fishing typically range from 3X to 5X, with heavier tippets used for larger flies and fish. A strong, abrasion-resistant tippet is important for maintaining control and ensuring the durability of the setup.

NEED HELP CHOOSING FLIES? CONTACT US TODAY

If you have a particular wet 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 Woolly Bugger Black Weighted - Premium Wet Fly

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

It's a Bugger, it'll get it done A fly as effective on running water as it is on still-water. This fly imitates a whole array of food for a multitu...

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Fulling Mill Muddler Minnow - Premium Fishing Fly

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

The Muddler Minnow will never leave you disappointed. A fly traditionally fished on a floating line but also being used more and more on sinkers. T...

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Fulling Mill Hot Damsel Straggle Orange bead

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

A hothead damsel that loves fighting trout - with added straggle Everyone knows that a hothead that can't resist a rumble, well it turns out the ho...

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Fulling Mill Mrs Simpson Wet Fly - Premium Fishing Fly

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

Meet Mrs. Simpson! An excellent dark streamer pattern with a large silhouette that originates from New Zealand. Effective as a mudeye, frog or smal...

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Fulling Mill Christopher Bassano's Bitch Variant

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

This fly will have you catching numerous fish while others are struggling to get a bite Christopher Bassano's "Bitch" Variant is better suited to c...

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Fulling Mill Woolly Bugger Olive - Premium Weighted Wet Fly

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

If you're going to tie on anything, tie on a bugger A fly as effective on running water as it is on still-waters. This fly imitates a whole array o...

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Fulling Mill Christopher Bassano's Tungsten Copper Bead McGoo

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

This fly originates from Ireland and was then further developed by Ballarat fly anglers, Vern Barby and, to a lesser extent, Craig Coltman. Alt...

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Fulling Mill Gold Nug Leech Black

Fulling Mill
Original price $3.40 - Original price $3.40
Original price
$3.40
$3.40 - $3.40
Current price $3.40

There's Gold in them' there' hills If you just want a fly to huck at a lake edge, swing down a tantalizing run or throw into a random roadside ditc...

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Fulling Mill Hot Head Damsel Orange

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

A hothead damsel that loves fighting trout Everyone knows that a hothead that can't resist a rumble, well it turns out the hot-head damsel only has...

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Fulling Mill Christopher Bassano's Shrek

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

A fantastic streamer pattern that's hard to refuse to a hungry trout.  Ideal for lakes and rivers, Bassano's Shrek works when stripped, dead-drifte...

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Fulling Mill Killer

Fulling Mill
Original price $2.90 - Original price $2.90
Original price
$2.90
$2.90 - $2.90
Current price $2.90

This fly is called the killer for a reason  If you want to swing it, retrieve it or dead drift it the Killer will get it done as it has done for ye...

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Fulling Mill Black & Peacock - Premium Wet Fly

Fulling Mill
Original price $2.90 - Original price $2.90
Original price
$2.90
$2.90 - $2.90
Current price $2.90

A post-war classic that is making a comeback. The Black & Peacock was designed by Tom Ivens just after the 2nd World War. This fly has seen a s...

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Fulling Mill Christopher Bassano's McGoo Tungsten Orange

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

A perfect lake streamer for cloudy water with a tungsten bead to get down to the fish. A great counterpart to the McGoo Unweighted Orange UV , this...

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Fulling Mill Jig Bugger Olive Tungsten Bead - Barbless

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

Get Jiggy with it The Jig Bugger is a versatile variant of the classic woolly-bugger great for lakeds and rivers, naturally drifted like a large n...

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Fulling Mill Dabbler Claret

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

A true classic Originating from the Lochs of Ireland this wet fly has become as equally popular for rainbow trout as they are for browns. A great ...

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Fulling Mill Martini Black Cat Hummie

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

Bear with us, these things work. So technically its full name is the Black Cat Humungous, but we had to shorten something in there so Hummie it is....

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Fulling Mill Christopher Bassano's Olive Head un-weighted McGoo

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

The olive thread head McGoo is another terrific damsel imitation that works very well in all of Australia's shallow impoundments. Whether it is fa...

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Fulling Mill Booby Fly Black

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

Arguably one of the most effective flies of modern fishing. Can be used all year round on any density of flyline , from a floater to a fast sinker....

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Fulling Mill Booby Fly Orange

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

Arguably one of the most effective flies of modern lake fishing. Can be used all year round on any density of fly-line , from a floater to a fast ...

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Fulling Mill Orange Cruncher

Fulling Mill
Original price $2.90 - Original price $2.90
Original price
$2.90
$2.90 - $2.90
Current price $2.90

This is a juicy orange  An awesome slim 'Cruncher' pattern that fish devour on a slow or fast retrieve on the Snowy Mountains lake systems. Its dul...

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Fulling Mill Cruncher Original - Premium Fishing Fly

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

The One & Only, Original Cruncher. This is the original best-selling Cruncher pattern - a lightweight slow sinking nymph pattern that is highly...

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Fulling Mill Zulu Black Bushy Bob

Fulling Mill
Original price $2.90 - Original price $2.90
Original price
$2.90
$2.90 - $2.90
Current price $2.90

There are classics, then there's the Zulu Black and red, a slash of silver, a struggling-edible lifeform cast into a world full of hungry predators...

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Fulling Mill Bibio Bushy Bob

Fulling Mill
Original price $2.90 - Original price $2.90
Original price
$2.90
$2.90 - $2.90
Current price $2.90

True Classics Never Die The Bibio on top dropper of a three fly lake rig is a stalwart. Fished half-submerged under choppy ice cold water, it's sig...

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Fulling Mill Christopher Bassano's McGoo Unweighted Orange UV

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

An extremely effective streamer pattern for lakes and rivers alike. This fly is brilliant at imitating a damselfly as well as an attractor which pu...

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