Buying Flies Online - 6 Keys to Quality Flies.

There days there are millions of flies available for purchase on okay and the web, and a whole range of price and quality to go along with them. Not all flies are created equally, and so the difference in quality may mean the difference of landing a trophy, or going home with another story about the one that got away.
1. Hook Quality - Most people over look the hook quality in their flies. The best flies are tied on high quality hooks. This means that you will be less likely to break a hook, or have it bend straight while landing a fish.Look for flies tied onchemically sharpened hooks. Old hooks may not be chemically sharpened, and may need to be sharpened before being fished. This in itself is not an attribution to the quality, but it does signify the age of the hooks, and therefore the quality at the time of production.
2. Hook Type - The hook wire gauge should be appropriate for the fly it is tied on. Dry flies should be tied on light wire hooks to help keep them floating high in the water's surface. Wet, nymphs, streamers, salmon and steelhead flies should be tied on heavier gauge wire to assist them in sinking. Buzzers, midges and Chironomids work best tied on curved shank hooks. Saltwater patterns and larger flies should be tied on Stainless Steel corrosion resistant hooks.
3. Fly Proportions - The proportions should be evident. Before buying, take a look at what the pattern is supposed to look like. Many dry flies are tied out of proportion, having a larger wing than necessary. Tails may also be the wrong length, causing the fly not to be presented in the proper way. The wing should be about 1.5 times longer than the hook gap. The tail should extend a bit more than 1 shank length out the back. On nymphs and streamers, the proportions are still important, but less so.
4. Material Quality - Any tyer worth their vise knows that using the right materials creates the best flies. High quality threads like UNI, Bennecci, Gudebrod and Danville ensure the fly will be durable and be able to withstand many fish. Some saltwater, pike and bass patterns may be tied with Kevlar thread. This adds immense durability to the fly. Hackles should be of good quality using brands such as Whiting, Hoffman, Metz, Ewing, Conrich and Howards. Many mass produced flies use cheaper Indian and Chinese cock hackle. This hackle does not have the same barb density as the premium, and is not able to keep flies floating properly for long. Flies tied with high quality hackle may cost a few cents per fly more, but the results on the water are well worth the small investment.
5. Fly Head - The head of the fly should be slightly tapered towards the eye. There should be few or no excess materials protruding from the head unless the pattern specifically calls for this as in the Elk Hair Caddis. The wraps should be neat, and not cover any of the eye opening. The pattern should be finished with a whip finish knot or series of half hitch knots, and have cement applied to secure the thread. If these precautions are not taken, the thread will quickly unravel while fishing, leaving the fly useless. If you are unsure how the fly is finished, send off an email to the seller to inquire. Some saltwater, pike and bass patterns may be finished with Hard as Nails or epoxy to help guard against the sharp teeth of the fish.
6. Who's tying your flies - Many flies are tied overseas and mass producedby people whom do not fly fish. This in no way implies that the flies they tie are poor, but I feel that you get only the best from a fellow fisherman. The quality ofthe mass produced fliescan range fromspectacular flawless flies to the bottom of the barrel. Look for flies tied by fishermen to get the absolute best. You can be assured that these flies will work, and that the tyer's reputation is counting on it. A fishermantyer will take the time to select the best quality materials and hooks, and be certain to finish the fly properly.
I hope this gives you some guidelines ashow to select flies for your next trip. Remember that ifthe sellers description does not give you all of the information you are looking for, send an email and ask for more information. Any good seller who know's their product will be happy to assit you.