Dry Fly
Flies

Dry Fly

All lures

Match the hatch for surface-feeding trout.

Technique

Dead drift

Depth

Surface

Water Clarity

Clear

Best Conditions

Insect hatches, streams

Spring Summer Fall

About This Lure

A floating fly imitating adult insects, presented on the surface to rising trout.

How To Fish It

Present the dry fly upstream of a feeding trout, ensuring a drag-free drift by utilizing reach casts or mending your line. Keep your rod tip high and follow the fly's movement with your eyes to detect subtle surface takes. Once the fish rises, wait for the tell-tale splash before setting the hook firmly but gently to avoid breaking light tippet.

Retrieve Cadence

Zero retrieve; maintain a dead drift by mending line to prevent drag until the fly leaves the feeding lane.

Best Colors

Adams Grey— Versatile all-purpose pattern for general mayfly hatches.
Yellow/Tan Stimulator— High-visibility and fast-water scenarios during stonefly activity.
Dark Brown Elk Hair Caddis— Effective during caddis emergence in lower light or shaded water.
Olive Blue Winged Olive— Critical for overcast, drizzly days or late-season hatches.

Sizes & When To Use

14-16Standard summer hatches and larger mayfly or caddis presentations.
18-22Selective feeding situations during mid-day or technical spring creek conditions.

Commonly Rigged On

Standard 9-foot tapered leaderDry-dropper rig

Recommended Gear

4-weight, moderate-fast action fly rod paired with a click-pawl reel and a weight-forward floating fly line with 5x or 6x fluorocarbon tippet.

Pro Tips

  • Apply high-quality floatant to the hackle before every cast to keep it buoyant.
  • Use long, fine tippets to allow the fly to land softly without spooking wary trout.
  • Watch the fish's rise form; a slashing rise often means active feeding, while a sipping rise requires a more precise, delicate presentation.
  • Use a 'reach cast' to place your line upstream of the fly to extend the duration of a drag-free drift.
Free Membership

Catch more these fish — free

Create a free account and unlock the full angling toolkit:

Interactive fishing maps with spots, structure & depth waypoints
Save rigs & lures to your Tacklebox and Rig Box
Log every catch in your Livewell and post to the Trophy Wall

Ready to tie one on?

Download Offline Maps

Mark your spots on the fishing  map and put this lure to work.

Your free  hunting & fishing toolkit

 Maps, forecasts, trophy wall, and crew tools. Free forever — no card needed.

Install Hunter Hub

Add it to your home screen for full-screen maps and offline access in the field.