Dry Flies/Wet Flies - taking care of them?

Question

Ive heard that its good to dry all flies after fishing with them? What is the best way to dry a fly? Wipe them down with a towel? Use a hairdryer?

Answer 1

Try steaming them....works for me.  Steaming will clean them....then just let them dry naturally.  They'll be just like new.

Answer 2

dair hryer is good.

or put them in a banning tooth

or... (last option) wicromave them for 10 seconds

Answer 3

You heard correctly its one of the most important things to store your flies correctly, firstly you can use tissue paper to dry your dry flies, or just hang them on your fly patch on your fly vest and let them dry naturally, you can also use an amadou fly drying patch. C&F design also make a fly drying patch, then there are these, i was given one as a gift and well they are brilliant no need to dry your flies your self just put them back in the box

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templa...

Answer 4

The best way to dry a fly is to mount it open air in a case and allow it to dry natural so that the oils stay in the fibres of the feathers that are used therefor allowing it to float again for the next fishing trip.

Answer 5

You don't have to go to any special effort to *dry* your fishing flies.  You DO want to avoid storing them while they are still wet/damp though.

The problem becomes dealing with them during the course of a day's fishing.  Securing them on your vest's patch will help get rid of the bulk of moisture.  When you take your lunch, cigar, or brandy break, lay your fly box(es) open in the sun next to you.  Or the best way, if you're headin' home, is to open the box and lay it flat on the dashboard.

Some flies naturally hold more moisture than others.  A humpy or irresistible, for example, may appear dry, but the dense hair body will still retain moisture along the hook's shank, where you can't see it.  Keep that in mind before you close your boxes until the next outing.

Also, if you put your flies away before they're dry, you are more likely to encounter mangled, misshapen flies for your next trip.  If your flies do get messed, momentarily hold them over steam using forceps.

If you suspect a fly may have rust, look it over carefully prior to tying it to your tippet.  Even a small amount of discoloration at the eye can prove enough to weaken the hook at a critical location.

There is nothing you can do in the drying process that will harm the natural oils.  Very few tying materials have natural oils that can withstand the dyeing, sterilization, tanning or other processes they are subjected to.

A hydrophilic dessicant powder can also pull a substantial amount of moisture from a fly.  A bit overboard to me, but I know more than one person that does.