Wet flies are timeless. Simple wet flies are..........

Wet flies have been part of fly fishing since the beginning, when that was I don't know but it's been a long time. The English found these flies to be effective, and from England they found there way here. Many of the English patterns were tied to represent different stages of insects and they accomplished that very well. Across the pond it was somewhat different. Many of our early wet flies were tied to fool brook trout and they took on a colorful transformation.

When I think of wet flies I think of Ray Bergman. The man was incredible both as a fly tyer and angler. So many patterns of his are still in use, and many more are tied just for their beauty alone.

How wet flies are fished is a topic that is best told by those that do it best. Some anglers can actually fish 3 of these flies at once. I have enough to do with one fly. But even by itself the wet fly can catch fish.

These are a few of my wet flies. They are very simple both in construction and materials used. Some waterfowl feathers in various colors and some basic dubbing and you can tie a lot of effective flies. I fish small streams and at times the water is low as is the case in the top photo. A dry fly fished here may bring a strike, but if you don't hook that trout he'll won't come up for it again. The sun and the low water will keep fish in a very cautious state. But if the fly you offer is below the surface the trout feel a bit more secure and will hit it.

So on your next visit to a small stream tie on a size 14 Dark Cahill wet and give it a workout. Wet flies are timeless. "Simple Wet Flies" are effective.