Yes, you absolutely can use wet flies with a floating line.
Fishing Wet Flies with a Floating Fly Line
Using a floating fly line with wet flies is a common and effective technique in fly fishing. As stated in reference material, "Generally, wet and dry flies are fished on a floating line." This confirms that floating lines are well-suited for fishing wet flies, which are designed to sink slightly below the surface or drift just under it, depending on their weight and the presentation.
Why Use a Floating Line for Wet Flies?
A floating line offers several advantages when targeting fish with wet flies:
- Control: The floating line allows for precise control over the drift and speed of the wet fly. You can mend the line easily to guide the fly through currents.
- Detecting Strikes: Strikes are often felt directly through the line, or indicated by subtle movements or hesitations of the floating line on the water's surface.
- Versatility: A floating line is highly versatile and allows anglers to fish wet flies at various depths by adjusting casting technique, adding weight (like split shot), or using a sinking tip leader.
Choosing the Right Floating Line
While many types of floating lines work, the reference specifically notes that "A weight-forward floating fly line is an all-around solid choice for fishing a variety of wet flies."
- Weight-Forward Line: This type of line has more weight concentrated towards the front, making it easier to cast heavier flies or cast in windy conditions. This added momentum can help turn over a cast with a wet fly effectively.
- Other Floating Lines: Other floating line tapers can also be used successfully, but a weight-forward taper often provides a good balance of casting performance and presentation control for general wet fly fishing.
Techniques for Fishing Wet Flies
When using a floating line with wet flies, techniques can vary, but often involve:
- Casting across or slightly downstream.
- Allowing the fly (or flies, often fished in a team) to swing through the current.
- Mending the line to control the speed of the swing or extend the drift.
- Stripping the line in short, controlled pulls to impart action to the fly.
Using a floating line provides the necessary surface anchor and control to effectively present wet flies in various river and stillwater situations.
