Owner and operator of historic Robbinsville, NC, retreat Snowbird Mountain Lodge, Robert Rankin has provided guests with a unique getaway experience in the mountains of North Carolina for more than 20 years. An outdoor enthusiast, Robert Rankin enjoys fly fishing in the numerous bodies of water in and around the Robbinsville, NC, area.

1. By Robert Rankin, Robbinsville, NC

2. Introduction
 Owner and operator of historic Robbinsville, NC, retreat
Snowbird Mountain Lodge, Robert Rankin has provided guests
with a unique getaway experience in the mountains of North
Carolina for more than 20 years. An outdoor enthusiast, Robert
Rankin enjoys fly fishing in the numerous bodies of water in and
around the Robbinsville, NC, area.
Fly fishing involves using different flies, varying in size and color,
to catch fish. Most flies fall into one of six basic categories.
1. Nymphs--Designed to imitate water-dwelling insects in their
larval form, nymphs are most often used in the bottom of lakes.
They are especially effective for fishing salmon and trout.

3. Fly Fishing Fly Categories
 2. Streamers--An all-around fly, a streamer is used for all
types of fish throughout any body of water. Its design
imitates such primary fish food sources as baitfish and
crayfish.
3. Salmon flies--Although these do not imitate any
natural food source, salmon flies trigger aggression in
steelhead and salmon. Both Atlantic and Pacific salmon
respond to these flies.
4. Dry flies--Perfect for trout, bass, and panfish, dry flies
rest on the water’s surface. They are designed to imitate
both adult aquatic insects and other food sources that
often fall into the water.

4. Conclusion
 5. Wet flies--An imitation of adult aquatic insects as
they move to the surface, wet flies are effective for
trout and bass and work well for steelhead and salmon.
6. Saltwater flies--Replicating everything from
shrimp to baitfish, saltwater flies are used in the
ocean. Depending on the design, they attract several
saltwater fish, including tarpon and bonefish.