Fly fishing streamers are a type of artificial fly typically used to imitate larger prey like baitfish, crayfish, leeches, and even small frogs or mice. They're significantly bigger and flashier than dry flies or nymphs, and they're fished with an active retrieve, meaning you're constantly stripping line and manipulating the fly in the water to mimic the movements of its real-life counterpart.
Here's a breakdown of what makes streamers special:
- Size and flash: Streamers are generally larger than other fly types, ranging from inch-long minnow imitations to articulated monsters exceeding 8 inches. They often incorporate flashy materials like tinsel, Mylar, and feathers to attract attention and trigger predatory instincts in fish.
Fly fishing streamers sizes
- Active retrieve: Unlike dry flies that float passively on the surface or nymphs that drift near the bottom,streamers are constantly retrieved through the water column. This creates a lively action that entices aggressive fish to strike.
Fly fishing streamers retrieve
- Variety of imitat