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 TODAYIf 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 MillIt'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...
View full detailsFulling Mill Muddler Minnow - Premium Fishing Fly
Fulling MillThe 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...
View full detailsFulling Mill Hot Damsel Straggle Orange bead
Fulling MillA 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...
View full detailsFulling Mill Mrs Simpson Wet Fly - Premium Fishing Fly
Fulling MillMeet Mrs. Simpson! An excellent dark streamer pattern with a large silhouette that originates from New Zealand. Effective as a mudeye, frog or smal...
View full detailsFulling Mill Christopher Bassano's Bitch Variant
Fulling Mill AUThis 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...
View full detailsFulling Mill Woolly Bugger Olive - Premium Weighted Wet Fly
Fulling MillIf 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...
View full detailsFulling Mill Christopher Bassano's Tungsten Copper Bead McGoo
Fulling Mill AUThis fly originates from Ireland and was then further developed by Ballarat fly anglers, Vern Barby and, to a lesser extent, Craig Coltman. Alt...
View full detailsFulling Mill Gold Nug Leech Black
Fulling MillThere'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...
View full detailsFulling Mill Hot Head Damsel Orange
Fulling MillA 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...
View full detailsFulling Mill Christopher Bassano's Shrek
Fulling Mill AUA 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...
View full detailsFulling Mill Killer
Fulling MillThis 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...
View full detailsFulling Mill Black & Peacock - Premium Wet Fly
Fulling MillA 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...
View full detailsFulling Mill Christopher Bassano's McGoo Tungsten Orange
Fulling Mill AUA 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...
View full detailsFulling Mill Jig Bugger Olive Tungsten Bead - Barbless
Fulling MillGet 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...
View full detailsFulling Mill Dabbler Claret
Fulling MillA 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 ...
View full detailsFulling Mill Martini Black Cat Hummie
Fulling MillBear 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....
View full detailsFulling Mill Christopher Bassano's Olive Head un-weighted McGoo
Fulling Mill AUThe olive thread head McGoo is another terrific damsel imitation that works very well in all of Australia's shallow impoundments. Whether it is fa...
View full detailsFulling Mill Booby Fly Black
Fulling MillArguably 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....
View full detailsFulling Mill Booby Fly Orange
Fulling MillArguably 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 ...
View full detailsFulling Mill Orange Cruncher
Fulling MillThis 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...
View full detailsFulling Mill Cruncher Original - Premium Fishing Fly
Fulling MillThe One & Only, Original Cruncher. This is the original best-selling Cruncher pattern - a lightweight slow sinking nymph pattern that is highly...
View full detailsFulling Mill Zulu Black Bushy Bob
Fulling MillThere 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...
View full detailsFulling Mill Bibio Bushy Bob
Fulling MillTrue 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...
View full detailsFulling Mill Christopher Bassano's McGoo Unweighted Orange UV
Fulling Mill AUAn 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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