Fly dressing Copper wires

In fly dressing, fly tying copper wire is used for adding weight to flies, causing them to sink faster, especially for nymphs and other wet flies. It also serves as a durable ribbing material to protect the fly’s body and mimic insect segments, and can be used to create the entire body for patterns like the Copper John. Additionally, copper wire adds a flashy element, attracting fish, and comes in various thicknesses and colors to suit different fly types and fishing conditions. Copper wire is one of the most commonly used fly tying materials for adding weight and durability to flies.

Here are the main uses for copper wire in fly dressing:

• Weight and Sinking: The most common use is to add weight to fly patterns, increasing their density and helping them sink quickly to the desired depth. This is particularly useful for nymphs, which often need to reach the bottom of the water column. 
• Ribbing: Copper wire is wrapped around the body of nymphs and other flies to create a protective rib. This strengthens the fly’s body, extends its lifespan, and can imitate the segmented appearance of an insect’s abdomen. 
• Body Material: In some patterns, such as the Brassie and Copper John, copper wire forms the majority of the fly’s body. This provides a combination of weight and a distinct visual appeal. 
• Flash and Attractiveness: The metallic nature of copper wire can add a flashy element to a fly, which can be attractive to fish and help trigger strikes. 
• Durability and Protection: Wrapping the wire around the fly’s body protects the underlying material from the teeth of fish and the wear and tear of fishing, making the fly more durable. 
• Versatility: Manufacturers offer copper wire in various thicknesses and colors, allowing anglers to tailor the fly’s appearance and action to the specific conditions and target species. Copper wire for fly tying is one of the most versatile materials used by fly dressers due to its strength, weight, and visual appeal. 

Standard wire sizes

Here is a table showing common copper wire sizes, with some manufacturers providing their own size equivalents: 

Size designation	Diameter (mm)	Diameter (inch)	Common use
Extra Small / XS	0.1 mm	0.0040″	Small dry flies and nymphs (size 20 or smaller).
Small	0.16 mm	0.0063″	All-purpose size for many trout flies.
Brassie	0.22 mm	0.0080″	Wire-bodied flies (sizes 18–22), including patterns like the Brassie and Copper John.
Medium	0.32 mm	0.0126″	Ribbing on larger nymphs (sizes 8–12).
Large	0.5 mm	0.0180″	Streamers, salmon flies, pike flies, and large stonefly nymphs.

How to choose a wire size

The best size for your fly depends on your intended application:

• Weight: Thicker wires, like Medium or Large, will add weight to a nymph or streamer, helping it sink faster. Thinner wires have minimal weight.
• Ribbing: A copper wire rib provides a segmented look and adds durability to the fly. The fly’s size will dictate the proper wire diameter. For example, use Extra Small wire for tiny midge larva patterns and Brassie or Medium wire for larger nymphs.
• Body material: For wire-bodied flies like the Copper John, a thicker wire, such as Brassie or Medium, is necessary to create the body. 

Important considerations when choosing fly tying copper wire

• Non-tarnishing: Always look for “non-tarnishing” copper wire, which is specially coated to resist corrosion and keep the colors vibrant.
• Color variety: Most manufacturers offer copper wire in a range of colors, including gold, black, red, and olive. 
• Choosing the correct fly tying copper wire helps improve durability, sink rate, and overall fly performance.

Copper wire is a core material used in traditional and modern fly tying.