There are a couple threads about winging flies. I am sure this has been a subject many times before as well.
But, I was thinking about this. I happen to believe in wings. When you read the sort of scientific work done about “what the trout sees”, it is hard to argue that wings are not important.
HOW important is the question. I believe it all comes down to this: If you knew for sure that having wings on your fly would be the difference in just 1 out of 10 situations, would you tie in wings?? Two out of 10 situations???
Wings -10 out of 10 for the most common mayflies where I fish. They are, in order of progression, Hendrickson. Sulphur, and BWO. The Hendricksons start in April, and the BWO’s last into November. I have never had consistent success with any of these hatches with wingless dries.
I never wing, and have not lost a minutes sleep over it. I haven’t read the studies on what trout see. Come to think of it neither have the trout I go after.
That being said, I do not like dry fly fishing and only do it as a last resort.
When fishing small creeks for trout I prefer to have wings on my flies because this makes it easier for me to keep track of the fly in fast choppy water. Today I was out and caught quite a few brooks and some of them I didn’t feel or see but were hooked after the wing disappeared and I set the hook.
To me it is down to confidence. Trout can be caught on flies both with and without wings. If putting wings on a fly gives you more confidence then do it! You’ll fish better with it.
Cheers,
C.
