Dry fly fishing

They typically only come to the surface to feed when there is a large bug hatch during which thousands of aquatic insects grow wings and leave the water to mate and lay eggs.

Particularly during the summer months and on smaller mountain streams, trout also often feed on terrestrial insects such as ants, beetles and grasshoppers when they fall onto the water surface.

[2] The aim of dry-fly fishing is to mimic the downstream drifting of a real fly on the surface of the water.

Trout fishermen therefore prefer to begin downstream of the fish's suspected lie and work upstream into the current.

Trout can see a wide area around them, so the angler must stay not only downstream of the fish, but also as low to the ground and as far from the bank as possible, moving upstream with stealth.

Casting upstream to the edge of the slower water, the angler can see the fly land and drift slowly back downstream.

Nymph fishing is easier it doesn't require " angling" skills associated with learning various casting techniques, but dry fly anglers can become addicted to the surface strike.

A beginner may wish to start with a fly that is easily seen, such as the Royal Wulff attractor or a mayfly imitation such as a parachute Adams or Trico.

J. W. Dunne developed a technique of painting the shaft of the hook white and wrapping it in translucent artificial silk, which he then oiled.

This led J. W. Dunne to develop a theory of trout vision, and from it a series of imitators intended for use in sunny weather, which he published in 1924 as Sunshine and the Dry Fly.

Skues' approach outraged the traditionalists who favoured the dry fly and in 1938 the Flyfishers' Club staged what amounted to an inquisition hearing against him.