There’s nothing more frustrating. You’ve made the perfect cast, your fly is drifting beautifully towards a rising trout, and then… it starts to sink. Your perfect dry fly just became a mediocre nymph. If this sounds familiar, you're not alone. It’s one of the most common questions we hear, especially from anglers using foam flies who think they should float forever.
The good news? It’s an easy fix. Let's break down why it happens and how you can keep your flies riding high on the water from your first cast to your last.
The Real Reason Your "Unsinkable" Fly is Sinking
Think of your dry fly as a tiny boat. The foam is the buoyant hull, but the rest of the fly—the hackle, the dubbing, the tail fibers, even the thread—is like cargo. At first, they are dry and light. But over time, a few things happen:
- Water Absorption: The fine fibers in the hackle and dubbing slowly absorb water with every cast, making the fly heavier.
- Fish Slime: Congratulations, you caught a fish! But the slime from its mouth is a "wetting agent" that breaks down your fly's water resistance, causing it to get waterlogged much faster.
- Lost Protection: Any floatant you applied wears off after drifting through currents and being cast repeatedly.
So, even with a foam body, the rest of the fly can get heavy enough to pull the whole thing under. The goal isn't to just have a buoyant fly, but to keep the entire system as dry as possible.
The Pro Playbook: How to Keep Your Flies Floating
Here are the simple, effective techniques the pros use.
1. The Quick Dry: Use Your Rod
When you notice your fly starting to ride low, the quickest fix is a few sharp false casts. The speed and air resistance will act like a spin dryer, forcing water out of the fly's materials. You'll literally see a fine mist spray off the fly. This is your first line of defense.
2. The Foundation: Apply Floatant (The Right Way)
Floatant is a hydrophobic gel or liquid that acts like a rain jacket for your fly. But applying it correctly is key.
- Start Dry: Apply floatant to your fly before your first cast when it's perfectly dry.
- Less is More: A tiny drop is all you need. We recommend a quality gel floatant like Loon Outdoors Aquel or the classic Gink.
- Apply Gently: Rub the floatant between your thumb and index finger, then gently work it into the hackle, tail, and body of the fly. Try to avoid the foam itself, as some chemicals can damage it over time.
(Disclaimer: Rivfly does not sell chemical floatants, but we highly recommend these trusted industry-standard brands to enhance your fishing experience.)
3. The Rescue Mission: Reviving a Drowned Fly
What if you've caught a few fish and your fly is soaked beyond what false casting can fix? It's time for a two-step rescue.
- Step 1: Rinse & Dry. First, rinse the fly in the river to wash off any fish slime. Then, gently squeeze the water out. An Amadou patch (a special mushroom fungus) is the traditional tool, but your shirt sleeve or a small piece of microfiber cloth works too.
- Step 2: The Magic Dust. This is the secret weapon. Use a powder desiccant like Tiemco's Shimazaki Dry Shake. Just pop the fly into the little pot, close the lid, and shake for a few seconds. The powder absorbs every last bit of moisture and re-coats the fibers. Your fly will come out looking brand new and ready to float again.
Start with the Right Gear
Of course, all these techniques work best when you start with a well-tied, durable fly. A fly built with quality materials is designed to absorb less water and respond perfectly to these drying and floating methods.
Our Rivfly Dry Fly Collection is crafted for exactly this purpose. From our buoyant Foam Mayflies to our high-riding Caddis patterns, they provide the perfect platform for a successful day of dry fly fishing.
So next time you're on the water, don't get frustrated by a sinking fly. See it as a chance to engage with your gear on a deeper level. With these tips, you'll be able to keep your fly on top of the water, where it belongs.
Tight lines!
