Dry Fly Strategies

Paul Weamer

Fly Fisher/Guide/Fly Tier/Writer

Paul Weamer, a professional guide and fly tier, understands fishing with a dry fly as the essence of fly fishing. Of course, fish feed primarily under the water but when they rise there's nothing more exciting. Paul has fished highly technical waters like Penns Creek in Pennsylvania, the Upper Delaware River in New York, and spring creeks in Paradise Valley Montana. Listen in as Paul breaks down the best methods, rigs, and fly patterns to catch more fish with dry flies.

Just a few of the questions asked and answered during the interview:

• How do the seasons affect dry fly fishing?
• What weight and length rod do you use?
• Do you prefer monofilament or fluorocarbon for terminal tackle?
• Does the glare from tippet to surface tension cause refusals?
• What products do you use to keep your flies afloat?
• What fly styles work best for the mayfly life-cycle stages?
• What fly styles work best for the caddis fly life-cycle stages?
• What are your favorite stonefly dry fly patterns?
• What fly styles work best for fast water and slow water?
• What is more important hook size or the pattern's color?
• What are the different rise forms and how do you fish them?
• How do you fish to non-steady risers?
• How do you fish springs creeks with finicky fish?
• What are the differences between dry fly strategies in the west versus those in the east?