What Does The Size Of Fly-fishing Flies Mean. Example; “sizes 10-22″ How Does 10 Differ From 22? Thank You!
Posted by admin on Thursday, December 10th, 2009
I’m looking to purchase fly-fishing flies on line, but I don’t know what size to buy. Do you know of any sites that sell inexpensive flies? I’m too dang cheap to spend over 60 cents on a fly when usually I snag it in the grass behind me. I’m a beginner but getting better. I’m on a tight budget too. Thanks for you help!!
Filed in Fly Fishing Flies | 8 responses so far
budon 11 Dec 2009 at 12:04 am 1Size 22 tiny little dry flies:http://search.ebay.com/fly-fishing-22_W0…
Size 10 hares ear nymph flies:http://cgi.ebay.com/2dz-10-Gold-Ribbed-H…
Maybe this photo will give a better perspective of the difference in size. 22 being the smallest.http://cgi.ebay.com/Humpy-Yellow-Assortm…
exert-7on 11 Dec 2009 at 12:14 am 2The numbers you are talking about are the sizes of the hook the fly is tied on. A size 10 fly is larger than a size 22, the larger the number the smaller the fly.
A good way to practice is to Tye a piece of yarn to your leader, you can practice in your backyard if you have room.
Good luck
America's Team is back!!!on 11 Dec 2009 at 12:49 am 3the numbers are used to reference size. A size 10 fly is larger than a size 22 , the larger the number the smaller the fly. A size 12 or 14 is a standard size and easy for a beginner to use.
Good Luck
maybe search some of these sites for bargianshttp://www.google.com/search?sourceid=na…
Brandonon 11 Dec 2009 at 12:50 am 4The smallest hook made is size 22, and hooks increase in size as they decrease in number to 1. Following this size, they are numbered 1/0, 2/0, 3/0 and so on. The largest size is generally 20/0.
Unfortunately, there is no uniform system of hook measurements. Visual familiarity with the various hook patterns is the only workable gauge for the serious angler.
If you are looking for inexpensive flies try joining your local fly fishing club. I think you will find a lot of people that are into fly tying and a pool of people to buy from at a discount.
flycatcherincorporated.com
flycatchon 11 Dec 2009 at 1:46 am 5As was stated, the smaller the #, the larger the hook.
here’s a site that sells flys @ .54 a pop – about as cheap as you’ll get anywhere. http://www.percysflies.com/
pheasant tailon 11 Dec 2009 at 2:33 am 6in regular fishing hooks the higher the number the smaller the hook
ken son 11 Dec 2009 at 3:19 am 7Just in general….the higher the number, the smaller the fly. What I did when on a tight budget was to learn to tie my own flies. Over the years, I have accumulated enough materials that now all I need do is buy the proper hooks.
stilhdr1on 11 Dec 2009 at 3:39 am 8Below I gave you some info on fly sizes and a few discount websites where you can buy flies.
What you really need to know is what flies and sizes to buy.
Are you going to be fishing dry flies or wet flies or steamers or nymphs?
Here are a few of what I consider to be ‘Must Have’ flies:
Dry Flies: Adams or Parachute Adams in size 12 to 16
Griffith Gnat in size 14 to 18
Renegade in size 12 to 16
Streamers: Black Woolly Buggers in size 8 to 12
Brown Woolly Buggers in size 8 to 12
Olive Green Woolly Buggers in size 8 to 12
Nymphs: Hares Ear in size 14 to 16
Beadhead Hares Ear in size 14 to 16
Pheasant Tail in size 14 to 18
Beadhead Pheasant Tail in size 14 to 18
Soft Hackle Flies: An orange body soft hackle in size 12 to 16
A Hares Ear soft hackle in size 12 to 16
With an arsenal of those you can catch just about any freshwater fish out there.
When you are buying your flies, just think about the fly size, the other measurements were decided by the fly tier when then created the flies.
The indicated size of the fly, like a 10 or 16 is determined by the width of the gap of the hook between the point and the shank of the hook. By the way, you can buy hooks down to size 32, but no one wants to. size 22 is more than plenty small and usually the smallest you will get into would be an 18.
Then you get into the ‘X’ measurements.
The shaft can be 1X to 5X long, meaning that the shaft is longer than the standard hook.
Or the shaft can be 1X to 5X short, meaning the shaft is shorter than the standard hook.
The thickness of the metal of the hook also comes into play, it can be 1X to 5X Fine, meaning thinner as the ‘X’ number gets larger.
Or, the thickness of the metal of the hook can be 1X to 5X Heavy, meaning thicker than the standard.
Here are some websites you can check out for flies:http://www.hillsdiscountflies.com/http://www.discountflies.com/http://www.flyshack.com/http://www.percysflies.com/
Have fun.
Larry