Fishing lures and flies are part of what makes fishing such a fun experience. Some fishermen seem to enjoy their lures and flies even more than they enjoy catching the fish! Lures and flies are handed down from one generation to the next, from father to son. They are family heirlooms, treasured by their owners. Once you learn a bit about fishing lures and flies, it's easy to see why fishermen find them so fascinating, and take them so seriously.
Unlike bait, lures are meant to move through the water. They catch the attention of fish by causing vibration, making noise, reflecting light in the water, tricking the fish into striking at them as though they were prey. There are many, many types of fishing lures and flies, but there are some basic categories in which most lures fit. continued below ...
The Facts About Fishing Lures and Flies
First, let us consider the jig. A jig consists of a lead weight with an attached hook. An artificial worm, fish or crayfish is placed over the weight to disguise it and make it more attractive to the fish. Jigs move vertically in the water, sinking to the bottom and moving up toward the surface in jerk-like motions as they are pulled or reeled in. Jigging, as fishing with a jig is called, is most effective when catching fish that feed near the bottom of the water.
The spinner is another familiar type of artificial lure. Spinners, or spinnerbait, have small metal blades attached to a lead weight and hook. These blades spin like propellers when they are pulled through the water. Spinners move horizontally, not vertically like a jig. The motion of their propellers attracts fish by stimulating their lateral line system, an organ that allows fish to touch objects by sensing changes in vibration and water flow.
There are also spoon lures. These are among the simplest types of artificial lures, consisting of oblong, cupped pieces of shiny metal that flutter randomly as they are reeled in. The movement, along with the reflected light from their surfaces, attracts fish and entices them to striking at the hook.
Most lures are designed to imitate other fish, but not all. Surface lures, which, as their name suggests, move along the top of the water, are designed to resemble mice, insects, frogs, and other non-aquatic prey. There are several types of surface lures, defined by the motions they have when traveling through the water. Fizzers have blades which make a fizzing noise as they are reeled in. Waddlers are similar to spoon lures and "waddle" through the water. Poppers have cups in the front, making them jump or pop as they are pulled through the water.
But the most colorful and creative type of fishing lures and flies by far is the artificial fly. There are so many sorts of flies that a general description isn't of much use. Flies, at their most basic, are hooks with materials attached meant to attract fish. But to say that hardly does them justice. There are as many different, unique, beautiful types of flies as there are people in the world who enjoy fly fishing.
Fly fisherman can be an idiosyncratic and superstitious lot. They become attached to their flies, keep particular ones for very specialized purposes. They are often as devoted to making their own flies as they are to fishing. The meticulous and painstaking process of making the fly, attaching the chosen material (feathers, thread, fur, etc.) to the hook, is called fly tying. Techniques and designs for flies are passed down from one fisherman to another, and can be as prized as the fishing lures and flies they create.
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