Lures for fly-fishing come in a variety of styles and types. They're all made to look like food for different kinds of fish. Flies used for trout fishing may be tiny things that resemble a gnat, while those for saltwater fishing may be bigger than the trout you normally catch. All are tied directly to the hook and are very light since you cast the line while fly-fishing, not the lure.

Types of flies include the following:

• Dry flies: Floating flies that imitate adult insects

• Nymphs: Underwater flies that imitate immature insects

• Popping bugs: Floating flies that act like anything from frogs to hurt minnows

• Streamers: Flies that look like minnows swimming in the water

• Wet flies: Flies that have wings so they look like adult insects underwater

You can buy flies from many sources but many fly-fishermen tie their own for added satisfaction when catching fish. Flies are made from everything from deer hair to bird feathers, and fishermen take great care in tying them so they look like the real thing.

Each kind of fly is fished in a different way. Most dry flies, wet flies, and nymphs are used for trout, while popping bugs are good for bluegill, bass, and some schooling fish in salt and fresh water. Streamers are popular in fresh and salt water and will catch anything from crappie to marlin. Most big-game saltwater fish caught on a fly rod are taken on some kind of streamer. Fishing with flies requires special rods and reels and a good bit of skill.