what classes a fly as a fly

[Bulllie]

Hi guys this debate can go no for ever but what makes a saltwater fly a fly.For instantance if only use a piece of foam is it a fy or is there a spicific thing that make a fly.I know there is a big difference between fresh water and saltwater materials and flies any advice would be appreciated .

[Herman Jooste]

Hi guys this debate can go no for ever but what makes a saltwater fly a fly.For instantance if only use a piece of foam is it a fy or is there a spicific thing that make a fly.I know there is a big difference between fresh water and saltwater materials and flies any advice would be appreciated .

In my opinion a Saltwater, or Freshwater fly is any fly / lure that has been tied on a bare hook using any material available.
 
The clincher is that the fly/lure MUST be able to be cast with a Fly rod.
 
After all, the essence of fly fishing is that the line / rod combination delivers the fly/lure to the target area.
 
 If the offering is too heavy, why not just use a grinder on a spinning rod.
You can then legitimately claim that the fish was caught on a fly. 

[Bulllie]

shot thats what thought.I wrote a article to a mgazine ad they say my flie might not be a fly even though made it myself and fish it with my fly rod its to light for a grinder but I suppose every body has their own opinion and Idea.Its just nice to get feed back from other fly fisherman .

[briansflyfishing]

I agree with Herman.
Some tiers and flyers will try to keep it more pure, in saying that for instance, using hackle as the claws for a crabs pattern and not a molded product that looks like the reel thing.
More and more products are coming as moldings.


That would be personal choice.




Brian

[Cam Mundy]

If I remember correctly the IGFA states that as long as the line carries the fly and not the other way round it's legit.

[briansflyfishing]

That is probably the best way to classify it.
For me the personal satisfaction of fooling the fish is the lure to fly fishing. Even though I know if you tie a molded rubber prawn body to a hook will get you the fish a lot easier.

[gavin erwin]

shot thats what thought.I wrote a article to a mgazine ad they say my flie might not be a fly even though made it myself and fish it with my fly rod its to light for a grinder but I suppose every body has their own opinion and Idea.Its just nice to get feed back from other fly fisherman .

Well said Bullie!

[Bulllie]

  shot for all the feed back.I suppose there is two kinds of fly fisherman the purists and then there's the new age that's willing to think out side of the box and try new things.I suppose at some stage we will all find out which one we are.again thanks guy

[Capt. Hook]

If I remember correctly the IGFA states that as long as the line carries the fly and not the other way round it's legit.

[briansflyfishing]

I came across this Hiromi Kubuki crab fly pattern by .
And I like the legs and would use them to give be the confidence when casting to black tail, grunter and so on.


But where would one get them is the question.

[adam]

If I remember correctly the IGFA states that as long as the line carries the fly and not the other way round it's legit.

  Exactly what I thought.


Offering is presented by using the weight of the fly line to get it in the strike zone. 


In that essence I guess you can toss a light crankbait with a 10 weight, but it just seems kinda off?

[Wynand13]

The thing is, and this is the question, do you fish it personally for fun, or competition?


For fun anything goes, some purest`s will say only natural materials, some of us use synthetics, you weight your fly with tungsten bead, or lead wire.. Yes Rapala  does not count as a fly, but some people fish them of a fly rod a friend of mine got some micro rapalas somewhere and they weigh less than some of my Zonker flies.


If its a imitation made that can be carried by the line, that should be it. I have constant debates about "Bread Flies" they look like a piece of white bread floating around, used where fish are being fed pieces of bread. It imitates the food the fish are use to, the fly line carries it and you catch and release on it. As long as you enjoy yourself and safely catch and release I do not see anything wrong with it.


This said looking at the competitions you have to abide by the rules. I have a lot of respect for competition anglers and they have a massive place in the sport, but most people are not in this group and should just enjoy themselves.


Make sure the hook is Barbless, and I am happy. Yes some magazines and groups have to stick to rules, that does not mean you cant fish it...



Looking at the real art of lifelike flies they use some interesting materials, but that is an art and most of those flies never goes close to water as they wont work, as they sink like rocks. Make sure the fly look like whatever you are imitating in the water, in sense of movement as well. That is important some flies look great when its dry, but once in water dont imitate anything and dont get strikes.


Just my 2c