Fishing Flies

Made to imitate insects, baitfish, crustaceans, and other common fish lures, the right fishing flies are essential to effective fly fishing. Canadian Tire has a variety of flies from SuperFly, Etic, and other top brands.

What are fishing flies used for?

Flies are used to trick a fish into taking the bait. By using ones that imitate a certain type of insect or baitfish and imitating the way they behave, anglers can successfully attract fish. 

What are the different types of fishing flies?

There is a range of fishing flies including:

• Nymphs – Nymphs mimic young insect larvae that live in the water. They are particularly useful when fishing for salmon, trout, and steelhead.

• Dry Flies – Dry flies mimic aquatic insects emerging from the water. They are useful when fishing for panfish and bass.

• Wet flies – On the other hand, wet flies imitate aquatic insects swimming to the surface. They are useful when used for salmon, panfish, trout, bass, and more.

• Streamers – Streamers mimic leeches, crayfish, and baitfish and are versatile for catching all types of fish.

• Saltwater Flies – Saltwater flies mimic a variety of ocean food sources and are useful when catching tarpon and bonefish, for example.

How do I know which type of fishing fly to buy?

When choosing your fishing fly, consider the temperature, species you’re fishing for, and the size you need. The higher the number, the smaller the fly. The size of the fish should not determine the size of your fly. The most common size for dry flies and nymphs include those from size 12 to 22. Depending on what the fly is aiming to imitate, you can determine what they are suitable to fish for. As well, you’ll want to look at the waters you’re fishing in. While some wet flies and nymphs are great for rivers and lakes, saltwater flies are appropriate for the sea.

For other fly fishing gear, browse our selection of rods, reels and accessories.