whats the difference between a wet and dry fly in flyfishing?

Question

how do you tell the difference by looking at them?

Answer 1

a wet fly sinks and a dry fly floats, to tell the difference, look at the package, there is not a for sure way of telling them apart

Answer 2

For the most part, "dry flys" are tied with hackle feathers. By looking at them you'll notice that the wings are in an upright position(of course, the are exceptions such as comparaduns and cdc's - ask your local flyshop). Wet flys are tied with hackle also, the difference being the hackle is "swept back"
along the body from head to tail.

Both patterns will float. The difference being that dry flys are
meant to be fished on the surface, i.e. cast upstream and allowed to float down in a drag free manner, in the hope a trout will rise and take your fly.

Wet fly are meant to be fished with the current, and swung.
You generally cast a wet fly quartering downstream. The current will "pull" the fly under water where it imitates the
underwater stage of the mayfly, caddisfly, or other tasty morsel trout intercept on the way to the surface.

My favorite method is to cast quarting downstream, let the fly
swing (in this case, drag is good because it pulls the fly under the water) and when you reach the end of the drift, just let the fly undulate in the current for 20-30 seconds, give a twitch or 2
and wait another few seconds before picking up and casting again. Alot of water can be covered in this manner.

Answer 3

Wet flies are used for fishing under the surface, whilst dry flies are for fishing on the surface. Dry flies tend to be the 'fluffier' looking ones with wings and long tails, generally more delicate looking than wet flies. Wet flies are more streamlined and are cast out, then pulled back towards the angler, like a spinner or artificial lure. Dry flies are cast onto the water and allowed to go downstream with the flow, in the hope that a fish will rise and take the fly from the surface.

Answer 4

What Is A Wet Fly

Answer 5

Dry fly is fished on the surface, a wet fly is fished beneath the surface.

Answer 6

wet fly will sink dry fly on surface usuall thicker body.

Answer 7

the water

Answer 8

I think it has to do with sinky or floaty.....