Rules or guidelines on number of flies.

[fullcreel]

A quick question, I have alway fly fished with just one fly, as I've mainly fished small pools. Many angler use a team of three when nymph or wet fly fishing. I always though this was the rule when fishing the larger lakes, loch and loughs where you need to cover wide area/choice of fly. What are the accepted rules to this, just wondering....

[isle of innisfree]

I prefer to use 2/3 flies as some time, the fish will look at 1 reject it but when turning will take one of the others on instinct.
when using dry flies it is better to use 1 as you have more control.
And the main factor anywhere is the rules of the river or club you are fishing.

[tjnorton]

I think it all depends on the depth of the water coloum that you are fishing. i thought that multi flys were mmainly used by boat anglers tho that were trolling.

tj

[Greenheart]

I use teams of flies from both boat and bank. I'ts a good way to present a team of small buzzer or nymph type flies at different depths with a floating line. A good tactic is to use a greased up floating fly on the top dropper or on the point (Washing line style) to act as a bite indicator. Cud-de-Canard or hopper type flies are good for this. If a trout takes one of the submerged flies, the floating one will be pulled under. For larger nymphs such as Damsels or Montana's I personally prefer to fish a single fly. However these can also be fished in teams. If you do this, always fish the heaviest fly on the point to balance the cast or tangles will usually result. Always check fishery rules as some smaller fisheries specify that you must use a single fly only.

[Rossthedon]

another advantage of using multiple flies is the range of depths you can cover. also, when stripping lures you can place something like a blob on a dropper and this will act as an attractor.
its great to play around with teams of buzzers and can easily be adjustted eg 2 buzzers on the dropper and a goldhead on the point to get down that bit quicker, if this dont work change the goldhead for a booby etc.....
as greenheart mentions, fishing the heaviest fly on the point will help turnover your flies

only thing with having 3 or more on is if you dont quite turn them over properly or even look at them the wrong way then the tangles can drive you mad!