This post was last updated on December 3rd, 2022 at 07:42 pm
Are you asking what is a mop fly? Mop flies are an effective way to catch trout and other freshwater fish such as smallmouth bass. They basically look like little mops on a stick, but they’re actually very useful in fly fishing because of how light they are. Mop flies can be used with spin fishing gear as well for people who don’t own fly fishing equipment.
This article will discuss mop flies in depth. You’ll learn what they are, how to fish with them and much more!
What is a Mop Fly?
A mop fly is a type of attractor pattern characterized by having more than one wing attached to it. This fly is also known as wings or two flies, and will typically have some sort of unique nymph tied on the bottom, which gives the top fly some weight to keep it submerge below the surface.
The idea behind this fly is to mimic the look of a multiple bug hatch occurring, which is one of the most effective ways to catch fish. For example, if you were fishing in an area for specific species such as bluegill or perch, mop flies would be more than ideal.
When to Use a Mop Fly?
Now that you know what a mop fly is, the next question that comes into play is when to use one. You’ll want to use these flies in any freshwater body of water where there’s some sort of hatch, which typically occurs during the morning and evening respectively.
The best time to go out and fish with these little guys is right after the sun comes up or right before it sets, because that’s when bugs are most active. However, you will want to use them during the middle of the day if there happens to be a hatch occurring then as well.
What Kind of Fish can You Catch with a Mop Fly?
Now you know what a mop fly is and when to fish with it, but you probably want to know which type of fish you can catch with this setup. As previously mentioned, the best fish to catch with this fly are bluegill, perch or any other species that happens to be hatching during your fishing trip.
You’ll want to fish the mop fly around structure like rocks, branches or anything else where there happens to be bugs hiding under. Once your mop fly lands on this type of area, you’ll want to make short, subtle movements with it..
How Do You Rig Up a Mop Fly and Fish It?
You can set up your mop fly rig similar to how you would set up a nymph. The idea is that you want your mop fly to be close enough to the bottom so that fish can find it easily, but not too close where it’ll get snagged all of the time.
There’s many different ways to rig up a mop fly and most methods will work just fine. You’ll typically attach your leader line with your mop fly at the end and then thread your line through the hook eyelet and out the top.
Once you’ve got all of that set up, you’ll want to attach your swivel onto the main line and lock it in place by crimping it down with a pair of pliers.
Mop Flies and Fast Moving Waterr
Fast current makes it harder for fish to find your offering, especially when there’s little debris around. To make this fly work with fast currents, you’ll need to change the way you fish it.
All you have to do is cast upstream of where you want your fly to be and let it drift down until it nears the bottom. Then you’ll want to make a series of short, subtle movements with your fly and do this until the fast currents die out.
You can also attach a small split shot onto your line about 8 inches above where you tied on your mop fly. This will help get it down into the water column easier and let it sit just above the rocks on the bottom.
Mop Flies and Slow Water
When there’s slow moving water, you’ll want to fish your mop fly in a different manner. Instead of letting the current carry it downstream, all you have to do is simply cast across stream and let it float down slowly.
Once you see that it gets near the bottom, just sit back and wait for the fish to bite.
Mop Flies and Muddy Water
As you might expect, muddy water makes it more difficult for fish to find your offering. This is mainly because there’s no contrast between the fly and what’s in the water, so they won’t be able to see it.
Luckily enough though, you can use this to your advantage by tying on things like marabou, elk hair caddis or foam to your mop fly in order to get it down into the water.
Other Tips and Tricks for Using the Mop Fly
Now that you’ve got the gist of things, here are some other tips and tricks to help with your mop fly fishing trip.
- One way to find out what kind of bugs are hatching around an area is by using a good pair of polarized sunglasses. Once you put them on, look at different rocks or gravel areas in the water and then check what bugs are sitting on top of them.
- If you want to add a little bit more action to your mop fly, try spinning it around in the water. The idea here is that when you retrieve it back in, the fly will start to spin and look a lot more natural from afar.
- The last thing you’ll want to do when fishing with a mop fly is take your time and be patient.
3 Awesome Mop Fly Patterns Used When Fly Fishing
- Elk Hair Caddis: If you’re looking for something that’s easier to see, then this is the fly to use. It’s typically made out of elk hair or synthetic materials and its tied by using deer body hairs.
- Foam Beetle: These are usually referred to as foam bugs and they’re very easy to fish with. All you have to do is cast it out and let the current take it downstream. Then when it gets near the bottom, just twitch your rod tip a couple of times and wait for a fish to bite.
- Elk Hair Muddler: This is one of the most popular mop fly patterns around and its because it’s incredibly easy to tie. You can actually find a list of free patterns online, or you can buy one from most fly stores. If you do decide to make one yourself, keep in mind that the wings are really important here so try not to skimp on them.
Affordable Mop Flies on Amazon
Check out this solid option on Amazon for just a few bucks!
Key Takeaways – What is a Mop Fly?
Mop flies are a great way to catch fish when you’re fly fishing. They can be used in fast moving water, slow moving water or even muddy water. In addition, there are a number of different patterns that you can use depending on the conditions you’re fishing in. As with any other type of fly, it’s important to be patient and take your time while using them.
Hopefully this article answered all your questions about mop flies and how to be successful with them. Happy fishing!
