Freshwater Lure Guide
Dry Fly
About the Dry Fly
A lightweight fly designed to float on the surface, imitating adult insects like mayflies, caddis, and stoneflies. Dry fly fishing is the most visual and addictive form of fly fishing — you watch the fly drift downstream, see the trout rise, and set the hook when it disappears. Requires matching the hatch: identify what insects are on the water and tie on the closest imitation. Size and silhouette matter more than exact color.
Best Conditions
Water Temp
50–68°F
Best Seasons
Spring, Summer, Fall
Water Clarity
clear
Best Weather
overcast, sunny
Color Guide
Adams
Adams — generic mayfly attractor, spring and fall, overcast skies, any mayfly hatch, versatile year-round
Parachute Adams
Parachute Adams — high-vis mayfly, choppy riffles, spring and fall, overcast, any mayfly hatch
Elk Hair Caddis
Elk Hair Caddis — adult caddisfly, late spring summer May June July August, evening rise, caddis hatch
Blue-Winged Olive
BWO Blue-Winged Olive — Baetis mayfly, early spring and fall March April October November, overcast cold water, afternoon
Pale Morning Dun
PMD Pale Morning Dun — Ephemerella mayfly, late spring summer May June July, morning hatch, tailwaters, calm clear water
Royal Wulff
Royal Wulff — attractor pattern, summer fast water, pocket water, high-floating, June July August
Stimulator
Stimulator — golden stonefly adult, summer June July August, fast pocket water, rocky rivers, stonefly hatch
Griffith's Gnat
Griffiths Gnat — midge cluster, winter and early spring December January February March, tailwaters, flat calm water, size 18-22
Parachute Hopper
Parachute Hopper — grasshopper terrestrial, mid-summer fall July August September, meadow streams, windy afternoon
Comparadun
Comparadun — low-riding mayfly PMD sulphur BWO, flat water, selective technical fish, spring and fall, calm pools
Target Species
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