F l y F i s h i n g T r i c k s . c o m

Fly Sizes

Bass flies vary somewhat as to size regardless of the size hook used, some being tied bulkier than others. However, a good bass fly should be neatly proportioned and should correspond, to some extent at least, to the hook on which it is tied.

For small, clear streams where the bass average small or moderate in weight, the choice of the average bass fisher would be a number 6 or even as small as a number 8. When the same stream is roiled a number 4 or number 2 would be required to get the fish's attention. For average bass streams numbers 4 and 2 are most often used while numbers 1, 1-0 and up to 3-0 are appropriate for clouded waters, wind swept lakes and streams and for the big bass of our southern states. These sizes (all based on Redditch scale) are only general and many anglers prefer larger or smaller hooks. The tendency among bass fishermen, however, is toward smaller and better hooks. There is a wonderful variety in the sizes of trout flies. For wet fly fishing sizes 4 and 6 are considered large; 8 and 10 medium; 12 and 14 small and " tinies," or very small, run all the way to 22 which are no larger than an anaemic mosquito. Local conditions should govern the selection of sizes of flies. In some waters the trout show a marked preference for certain sizes and many expert anglers claim that a variety of sizes is more important than a multitude of patterns. My own experience inclines me toward the same belief and in late years I have carried with me more size 6 than ever as I have found that the trout favor a large fly more often than the general run of anglers seem to believe. Unless local anglers advise otherwise the novice would not be far out of the right track if he would proportion his sizes on the following basis, taking a dozen flies as a standard: size 6, 2; size 8, 4; size 10, 4; size 12, 1; size 14 or 16, 1. Smaller flies are used for dry fly fishing, number 12 being the standard in most American waters.

A time-honored rule in bass or trout fishing is to use small or dark colored flies in very clear water and during bright weather and the larger ones and the gaudiest colored on dark days, at night or when the water is discolored. This is a safe rule to follow, generally, except that certain sky conditions make a dark colored fly more prominent than a light one when fishing at night.

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