Peter A. Collin wrote:
Tom Nakashima wrote:

I just received my order of flies for the McCloud River that are well
tied, but not the greatest in aesthetics. I've paid 55 cents per fly,
which I thought was a pretty good price, and they do match the
patterns I wanted. I recently saw some very nice tied patterns at
$2.80 per fly, but they were near perfect and very aesthetically
pleasing. I've never fished with beautiful flies before, but was
wondering if they do make a difference in appearance to trout?
-tom

Less important than its looks are how it performs in the water. What I
mean is, do the dry flies float? Are their wings upright in the correct
position? Do the streamers sink properly, right side up, and retain
that attitude when stripped in, rather than spinning? Do the nymphs
sink right side up? Do they sink at the proper rate? Are the hooks
strong and sharp? Can the fly take many strikes before falling apart?
You can have a ratty looking fly that catches them fine.

Peter Collin

Exactly. I've bought my share of cheap flies, and with few exceptions,
they were not worth the money I supposedly saved. Hoppers didn't float.
Traditional dries didn't float, or ride on their sides. Some nymphs
would just fall apart. I now have a small handful of places I order
flies from. Price varies, but I can get a good quality fly for around a
buck. Anything in the 50 cent range, I don't bother with anymore.

On the appearance subject, I would say it makes a difference. I mean why
would all these fly fisher people spend countless hours, and money,
trying to match the bugs trout eat. ;-) Example, I like narrow, tightly
dubbed(or biot)bodies on my mayfly patterns(dries). I think it gives a
better, more realistic silhouette. Compare a cheap fly, to a fly shop
quality fly, and you'll see a noticeable difference. It might not matter
to some fish, but if you run into selective fish, i'd rather have a good
imitation.

JMHO
brians