Fishing Term: Wake Fly

Definition

A Wake Fly is a type of fly used in fly fishing, particularly for targeting surface-feeding fish. The design of the fly is intended to create a wake or disturbance on the water's surface, mimicking the movement of a struggling or injured insect or baitfish. Wake flies are often used in situations where fish are actively feeding near the surface, and the goal is to entice them to strike.

Key features of a Wake Fly include:

• Floating Design: Wake flies are typically designed to float on the water's surface, allowing them to create a wake as they are retrieved.
• Body Material: The body of the fly is often made from buoyant materials such as foam, deer hair, or other materials that help the fly stay on the surface.
• Wake-Creating Action: The design of the fly, combined with the angler's retrieval technique, creates a wake or disturbance on the water. This action is intended to attract the attention of fish and trigger a predatory response.
• Imitative Colors: Wake flies may imitate the colors of natural insects, baitfish, or other prey items found in the water. Common colors include variations of black, brown, olive, and white.
• Hooks: Wake flies can be tied on a variety of hook styles, and the choice of hook may depend on the specific species being targeted and the size of the fly.
• Target Species: Wake flies are often used for species that feed near the surface, such as trout, bass, panfish, and even saltwater species like redfish and sea trout.
• Retrieve Technique: Anglers typically use a slow and steady retrieve to create the wake effect. The goal is to make the fly look like a struggling or injured creature that is easy prey for the fish.

Wake flies are effective during hatches of insects, low-light conditions, or when fish are actively feeding on the surface. Anglers may choose wake flies based on the prevalent prey in the area or experiment with different patterns to see what the fish respond to best. As with many fly patterns, variations exist, and fly tyers often customize wake flies to suit their preferences and local fishing conditions.