Dry Flies vs. Wet Flies: Key Differences and When to Use Each
The debate over dry flies vs. wet flies has been around almost as long as fly fishing itself. Some anglers won’t fish anything but the surface. Others quietly fish subsurface and consistently hook fish while the dry-fly purists wait for something to rise. Neither camp is wrong — but both are often incomplete.
Understanding the difference between dry flies and wet flies isn’t about tradition or aesthetics. It’s about how fish feed, where food exists in the water column, and what conditions actually support surface feeding versus subsurface takes.
This article breaks down what dry flies and wet flies represent, when each is most effective, and how to use both honestly and effectively.
What Are Dry Flies?
Dry flies are designed to float on the surface and imitate adult insects, terrestrials, or insects trapped in the surface film. They target fish that are actively feeding on top.
Common dry fly categories include:
Mayfly duns and spinners
Caddis adults
Stonefly adults
Terrestrials (ants, beetles, hoppers)
Dry fly fishing is visually engaging because the angler sees the take. That visibility is why many anglers fall in love with fly fishing in the first place.
However, dry flies only work when fish are willing to feed on the surface, which is far less common than many anglers assume.
What Are Wet Flies?
Wet flies are fished below the surface and imitate emerging insects, drowned adults, small baitfish, or general subsurface food sources. Unlike nymphs, wet flies are often unweighted and fished on a swing, rise, or controlled drift.
Classic wet flies include:
Soft hackles
Winged wets
Spider patterns
Traditional swung flies
Wet flies occupy the middle ground between dry flies and nymphs, making them extremely versatile.
The Biggest Difference: Where the Fly Is Fished
The core difference between dry flies and wet flies is simple:
Dry flies fish on top
Wet flies fish below the surface
But that difference has massive implications for effectiveness.
Surface Feeding (Dry Flies)
Requires specific insect activity
Often limited to short time windows
Exposes fish to predators
Occurs mostly in calm water types
Subsurface Feeding (Wet Flies)
Happens more frequently
Allows fish to feed safely
Covers emerging and drowned insects
Works across a wider range of conditions
Fish spend most of their lives feeding underwater, not on the surface.
When Dry Flies Excel
Dry flies are unbeatable when conditions line up. The key is recognizing when that window is actually open.
Dry flies work best when:
Fish are visibly rising
Insects are actively hatching
Water is clear and relatively calm
Light levels make fish comfortable feeding shallow
Classic dry fly scenarios include:
Evening mayfly hatches
Summer caddis flurries
Calm tailouts and glides
Terrestrial falls along grassy banks
In these moments, fishing anything but a dry fly is inefficient — and often unnecessary.
When Wet Flies Outperform Dry Flies
Wet flies consistently outperform dry flies in most real-world situations.
Choose wet flies when:
No surface activity is visible
Water is cold or fluctuating
Fish are holding mid-column
Hatches are sporadic or inconsistent
Wet flies are especially effective during:
Early season conditions
Post-hatch periods
Overcast or low-light days
Moderate to fast water
Because wet flies imitate emergers and vulnerable insects, they often trigger fish that ignore surface presentations.
Movement vs. Drift
Another major distinction between dry and wet flies is how they’re fished.
Dry Fly Presentation
Requires a drag-free drift
Precision matters more than movement
Fish inspect flies closely
Poor drift kills effectiveness
Dry fly fishing rewards patience and accuracy but leaves little room for error.
Wet Fly Presentation
Often benefits from controlled movement
Swings, lifts, and rises can trigger strikes
Covers water efficiently
Less reliant on perfect dead drift
Wet flies excel when fish respond to motion rather than inspection.
Visibility and Fish Confidence
Fish don’t feed based on angler preference — they feed based on risk vs. reward.
Surface feeding:
Exposes fish to birds and predators
Requires calm water and stable conditions
Often stops during bright light or pressure
Subsurface feeding:
Allows fish to stay protected
Continues in a wider range of light levels
Requires less commitment from fish
This is why wet flies are often the smarter choice during:
Bright midday conditions
Cold water periods
Heavily pressured rivers
Common Myths About Dry Flies vs. Wet Flies
“Dry fly fishing is more skilled”
False. Dry fly fishing is more visible, not inherently more technical.
“Wet flies are outdated”
Classic wet flies still out-fish modern patterns in the right conditions. Fish don’t evolve alongside fly trends.
“Fish prefer surface flies”
Fish prefer efficient calories. Surface feeding is optional, not constant.
Combining Dry and Wet Fly Techniques
Smart anglers don’t choose sides — they adapt.
Effective hybrid approaches include:
Fishing a wet fly just under the surface during a hatch
Switching from dry to wet flies when rises stop
Using wet flies as search patterns before committing to dries
Many successful anglers start subsurface and move up the column only when conditions justify it.
How This Applies on Olympic Peninsula Rivers
On rivers near Forks and across the Olympic Peninsula, dry fly opportunities are often limited by:
Cold water temperatures
High flows
Variable weather
Wet flies, swung or drifted, consistently produce across:
Steelhead water
Sea-run cutthroat systems
Trout rivers during shoulder seasons
Guide services like Anadromy Fly Fishing regularly rely on subsurface methods because they match real conditions — not ideals.
Final Thoughts
The dry flies vs. wet flies debate only exists because anglers confuse romance with effectiveness. Dry flies create unforgettable moments, but wet flies quietly produce fish when conditions don’t support surface feeding.
Dry flies are situational.
Wet flies are consistent.
The best anglers don’t force either — they read the water, understand fish behavior, and choose the method that fits the moment. If you do that, the argument disappears, and the fishing improves.
Transform your fishing dreams into reality with Anadromy Fly Fishing. Reach out today to book your guided adventure and explore the wonders of the Olympic Peninsula!