Fly fishing is about using flies, streamers, and lures that attract fish to bite. Usually feathers, quills, and other natural materials are on the menu. Modern flies incorporate many plastics and manmade materials. Lead, tungsten, tin, brass, foils, and other metals are also commonly used. Of the course the hooks are metal too.
A Copper John nymph was just a nymph hook wrapped in thin shiny copper wire. Silver or brass wire also added flash and weight to the hook.
As a kid I remember using small Colorado spinners when fly fishing. I caught a boatload of Cutties in the Tetons one day. These small, peened metal blade spinners were lightweight and easy to cast.
Joe Flies are a modern, lightweight spinner, that has a fly tied onto the trebles. Many spinner companies add hair or mimic flies to their metal marvels.
For fly fishing, the spinner must be very lightweight, or you will end up with hooks sticking into your head. Shiny metal attracts fish. As kids we used beer can zip tabs or bottle caps wired onto a hook for trout. Shiny aluminum foil also added some flash to a hook in a pinch. I have made vertical saltwater jigs from silverware. Cut the sides of an aluminum can into a small triangle or strip, then fold onto a hook. Being creative is fun.
Small Rooster tail spinners are also a lightweight choice. These spinners have inverted marabou tails that fan out for an undulating presentation. My favorite is Yellow with a silver blade. Use the smaller sizes for easier casting.
Many Catch and Release areas allow spinners and flies. I do find that single hooked spinners are lighter and get more hook ups in these waters. If using a single hook, make the hook one size up. These hooks come with a larger hook eye that easily slips into a connecting split ring. Make sure to sharpen your hooks.
Shad fishermen use shad darts and small spoons for flashy hook ups. A Willow Leaf in gold or silver can be soldered to a long-shanked limerick hook. No hair or other detail is needed. I have seen some anglers paint the blades, but a shiny peened blade works well. This lure is light and can easily be retrieved with a fly rod or small spinning rod.
Back in the day, Christmas trees were adorned with lead or plastic icicles. I used to wrap a bunch on a hook with copper wire. I added a bead if I had one. Leave a long bunch off the tail to undulate and attract fish. The lead icicles were more durable but would not be allowed where prohibited.
Jig flies have become very popular. Ever since bead head nymphs and streamers were used, anglers use weight to get their presentations into the bite zone. The perpendicular hook creates a different presentation.
Metal flies are durable and versatile to use. They sink easily and can be very effective. Fish are almost always on the feed. They also work well when ice fishing!
If it shines, the fish dines!
Montana Grant
