Fishing a team of wet flies is a traditional and effective method of fly fishing for trout and grayling on UK rivers and stillwaters.
Rather than fishing a single artificial fly, the angler presents two or three flies attached to the same leader.
This allows different patterns, sizes or colours to be fished simultaneously, increasing the chances of presenting something that appeals to feeding fish.
A team can also allow flies to fish at slightly different depths, particularly when the current, retrieve or weight of individual patterns affects their position.
However, fishing several flies introduces additional complications. Poorly constructed leaders, excessively long droppers and unsuitable casting techniques can all lead to tangles.
The key to fishing a team successfully is keeping the leader simple, maintaining good line control and ensuring each fly has enough freedom to move naturally.
What Is a Team of Wet Flies?
A team normally consists of two or three artificial flies attached to the same leader.
Each fly has a particular position within the arrangement.
Point Fly
The point fly is attached to the very end of the leader.
It is normally the furthest fly from the angler.
Dropper Fly
A dropper fly is attached to a short length of tippet branching from the main leader.
The dropper allows an additional fly to be presented without replacing the point fly.
Top Dropper
When fishing three flies, the top dropper is the fly closest to the fly line.
In traditional stillwater wet fly fishing, this is often called the bob fly.
Middle Dropper
The middle dropper is positioned between the top dropper and the point fly.
This position is sometimes called the middle fly.
A two-fly team consists of one dropper and one point fly.
A three-fly team consists of a top dropper, middle dropper and point fly.
Should You Fish Two or Three Wet Flies?
Both arrangements can be effective.
A two-fly team is an excellent starting point because it is easier to cast and control.
It also reduces the likelihood of tangles when compared with a three-fly arrangement.
A three-fly team allows more patterns to be presented, but requires greater attention to casting and leader construction.
For beginners, there is no disadvantage in starting with two flies.
Once you become comfortable with the presentation, adding a third fly is straightforward.
Always check the rules of the fishery, as the permitted number of flies can vary.
How to Set Up a Two-Fly Team
A simple two-fly leader consists of a point fly and one dropper.
One practical arrangement is:
- Approximately 4-5ft from the fly line connection to the dropper.
- A short dropper of around 4-6 inches.
- Approximately 3-4ft between the dropper and point fly.
These measurements are a starting point rather than fixed rules.
The total leader length can be adjusted to suit the water, casting distance and fishing method.
For example, a short-line river setup may benefit from a shorter overall leader, while stillwater fishing may require a longer arrangement.
The important thing is to keep the flies sufficiently separated so they do not continually catch one another during casting.
How to Set Up a Three-Fly Team
A three-fly leader includes two droppers and a point fly.
A practical starting arrangement might be:
- Approximately 4-5ft from the fly line connection to the top dropper.
- Around 3-4ft between the top and middle droppers.
- Around 3-4ft between the middle dropper and point fly.
- Short droppers of approximately 4-6 inches.
This produces a relatively long leader, so it may not be suitable for every river or angler.
Shorter arrangements are often preferable in confined spaces or when fishing upstream at close range.
Stillwater anglers fishing traditional wet fly teams may use longer leaders when conditions and casting ability allow.
A leader that is easy to cast and control is generally more effective than one that is unnecessarily long or complicated.
How Do You Make a Dropper?
A dropper is a short section of tippet used to attach an additional fly to the main leader.
There are several ways to construct one.
Using a Water Knot
A common traditional method is to join two sections of leader material using a three-turn water knot.
When tied correctly, one of the tag ends can be left long enough to form the dropper.
The other tag ends are trimmed.
This provides a simple way to create a team without using additional hardware.
The dropper should be long enough to allow the fly to move naturally, but not so long that it regularly wraps around the main leader.
Using a Separate Dropper
Another option is to attach a separate piece of tippet to the main leader.
Various knots and specialist connections can be used for this purpose.
Whichever method you choose, the connection must be secure and suitable for the diameter of material being used.
Avoid bulky arrangements that interfere with casting or cause the leader to twist.
How Long Should Droppers Be?
For most general wet fly fishing, droppers around 4-6 inches (10-15cm) provide a useful starting point.
Short droppers are less likely to wrap around the main leader.
They also help keep the flies separated during casting.
However, excessively short droppers may restrict the movement of lightly dressed spiders.
Longer droppers can provide additional freedom but may increase tangles.
The best length depends on the type of fly, leader material and fishing method.
For traditional river spider fishing, a relatively short, supple dropper is often effective.
For stillwater fishing, dropper lengths may be adjusted according to the patterns and presentation.
Inspect droppers regularly.
They can become shortened, twisted or weakened during fishing, particularly after catching fish or encountering snags.
Which Fly Should Go on the Point?
There is no universal rule that one particular pattern must always be fished on the point.
The point fly is commonly chosen according to the depth and style of presentation required.
For example, when fishing a team of spiders on a river, the point fly may be a slightly larger or more substantial pattern.
This can help the leader straighten and may allow the point fly to fish a little deeper.
However, this is not essential.
A team of small, lightly dressed spiders can also be effective.
On stillwaters, the point fly is often selected according to the desired depth, retrieve and natural food present.
The most important consideration is how the whole team behaves during the presentation.
Which Flies Should Go on the Droppers?
Dropper positions allow different patterns to be presented alongside the point fly.
On rivers, traditional teams of spiders may combine two or three flies with different body colours or sizes.
For example, an angler might fish:
- A small black spider on the top dropper.
- An olive spider on the middle dropper.
- A Partridge and Orange on the point.
This provides several different impressions of aquatic food.
However, it is not necessary to use three completely different patterns.
Sometimes a team containing similar flies in different sizes is more appropriate.
Choosing a Stillwater Bob Fly
In traditional loch-style fishing, the top dropper or bob fly can play a particularly important role.
Because it is closest to the rod, its movement can be controlled during the retrieve.
Some bob flies are designed to create disturbance or movement close to the surface.
A bushier or more buoyant pattern may be used where appropriate.
However, the best choice depends on conditions and the intended presentation.
The bob fly does not always need to be large or brightly coloured.
Do All the Flies Fish at the Same Depth?
Not necessarily.
Although the flies are attached to the same leader, their depth can vary.
Several factors influence this:
- Fly weight.
- Dressing materials.
- Current speed.
- Leader angle.
- Line tension.
- Retrieve speed.
- Position within the team.
On rivers, the point fly may sometimes fish deeper than the droppers, particularly when it is heavier or when the leader is angled upwards towards the fly line.
However, this is not guaranteed.
Different currents can also influence each fly independently.
On stillwaters, retrieve speed and line tension can cause the team to rise or fall through the water.
Rather than assuming each position fishes at a fixed depth, consider how the flies are likely to behave during the presentation.
Fishing a Team of Spiders Upstream
Traditional upstream spider fishing frequently involves two or three flies.
The flies are cast upstream and allowed to drift back with the current.
The aim is to maintain sufficient contact to detect takes without pulling the team unnaturally through the water.
When fishing a team, line control becomes particularly important.
Different flies may pass through slightly different currents, creating tension that affects the entire leader.
Short, accurate casts are often preferable.
In faster water, a short-line method can be particularly effective.
The angler can cast a short distance upstream and gradually raise the rod tip to recover slack as the team approaches.
This allows the flies to drift naturally while maintaining good control.
Avoid using an unnecessarily long leader when fishing at close range.
Fishing a Team Downstream and Across
Wet fly teams can also be fished across and downstream.
The current carries the flies through the water as the line comes under tension.
Different flies may travel at slightly different speeds and depths depending on their position.
The angler should control the swing so the team does not move unnaturally fast.
A team can create more resistance in the water than a single fly, making careful line management important.
Avoid sudden changes in tension that cause the flies to accelerate or rise sharply without purpose.
Takes may be felt directly through the line, particularly when fish intercept the flies during the swing.
Fishing a Team of Wet Flies on Stillwaters
Fishing teams of wet flies is a long-established method on British lakes, reservoirs and Scottish lochs.
Traditional loch-style fishing commonly involves casting a team of three wet flies from a drifting boat.
The flies are worked through the upper layers of the water using a controlled retrieve.
The top dropper, or bob fly, may be worked close to the surface as the team approaches the boat.
However, wet fly teams are equally suitable for bank fishing.
Depending on the conditions, anglers may use a slow retrieve, allow the flies to drift with the wind or introduce occasional movements to suggest aquatic insects.
Good leader construction is particularly important when casting longer distances or fishing in windy conditions.
How to Avoid Tangles When Fishing Multiple Flies
Tangles are one of the most common frustrations when fishing teams of wet flies.
Fortunately, many can be avoided through simple adjustments.
Use Short Droppers
Long droppers are more likely to wrap around the main leader.
Start with droppers around 4-6 inches and adjust only when necessary.
Avoid Overly Long Leaders
A leader that is too long for your casting ability or fishing conditions can be difficult to turn over.
Shortening it may produce a much better presentation.
Open Your Casting Loop
A very tight casting loop can cause the flies to collide with the leader or one another.
A slightly wider, controlled loop is generally more suitable when casting teams of wet flies.
Avoid Sudden Changes in Direction
Abrupt casting movements can cause the flies to overtake the leader and become tangled.
Use smooth, deliberate casting strokes.
Check the Leader Regularly
Leader material can become twisted after repeated casting or when playing fish.
Inspect the droppers and main leader periodically.
Replace damaged or badly twisted sections.
Maintain Separation Between the Flies
Adequate spacing helps prevent the flies from catching one another.
Avoid placing droppers unnecessarily close together.
What Happens If Two Fish Take at Once?
Fishing several flies creates the possibility of hooking more than one fish at the same time.
Although uncommon, double hook-ups do occur.
When this happens, maintain steady pressure and avoid forcing the fish.
Two trout pulling in different directions can place considerable strain on the leader.
Use the rod to absorb sudden movements.
If fishing from a boat or with another angler nearby, assistance with landing may be useful.
Always prioritise safe handling and avoid unnecessarily prolonging the fight.
Common Mistakes When Fishing a Team of Wet Flies
Some of the most common mistakes include:
- Using three flies before becoming comfortable with a simpler two-fly arrangement.
- Fishing droppers that are excessively long.
- Using a leader that is too long for the fishing conditions.
- Placing flies too close together.
- Failing to check dropper knots regularly.
- Casting with excessively tight loops.
- Using abrupt casting movements that encourage tangles.
- Assuming the point fly always fishes deepest.
- Ignoring how different currents affect individual flies.
- Failing to shorten the leader for close-range upstream fishing.
- Choosing fly positions without considering how the team will behave in the water.
Most of these problems can be corrected by simplifying the leader and improving casting and line control.
Key Takeaways
- A team of wet flies normally consists of two or three artificial flies.
- The fly at the end of the leader is known as the point fly.
- Additional flies are attached to short sections of tippet called droppers.
- A two-fly team has one dropper and a point fly.
- A three-fly team has two droppers and a point fly.
- The top dropper is often called the bob fly in traditional stillwater fishing.
- Droppers around 4-6 inches provide a useful starting point.
- A three-turn water knot is one traditional method of creating droppers.
- Fly spacing and overall leader length should suit the fishing method.
- Flies in a team do not necessarily fish at the same depth.
- Teams can be fished upstream, downstream and across, or on stillwaters.
- Short-line upstream fishing is particularly effective with spiders in quicker water.
- Smooth casting, slightly wider loops and regular leader checks help prevent tangles.
- A simple, well-constructed team is more effective than an unnecessarily complicated arrangement.
Fishing a team of wet flies provides a versatile way to present several artificial flies together, but good leader construction and controlled presentation are essential.
Start with a straightforward two-fly arrangement and progress to three flies once you can cast and control the team reliably.
In the next article, we'll look at Wet Fly Fishing on Stillwaters, including traditional loch-style methods, retrieving wet flies and presenting them effectively from bank and boat.
