UV vs Standard Fritz — What's the Difference?
It's one of the most common questions we get from tyers new to the ProTye range: what's the actual difference between UV Fritz and standard Fritz, and when should you use each one? Here's a straightforward answer.
Standard Fritz — The Classic Choice
Standard Fritz has been a staple of reservoir and stillwater fly tying for decades. It's made from a core thread wrapped with fine synthetic fibres that catch and reflect visible light, giving your fly a consistent sparkle in the water.
It's the go-to material for classic lure patterns — Cats Whiskers, Appetisers, Boobies, and general attractor lures. It performs well in clear to slightly coloured water and in good light conditions. If you're building a core range of lures for a tackle shop, standard Fritz in a solid palette of colours is the foundation.
UV Fritz — The Low-Light Performer
UV Fritz looks similar to standard Fritz on the tying bench, but it contains UV-reactive fibres that absorb ultraviolet light and re-emit it as visible light. The result is a fly that appears to glow — even in conditions where standard Fritz would look dull.
This makes UV Fritz particularly effective in:
- Early morning and late evening sessions
- Overcast or flat-light conditions
- Deeper water where UV light still penetrates
- Coloured or slightly murky water
For rainbow trout fishing on reservoirs and stillwaters, UV Fritz has become increasingly standard in serious fly boxes. Many competition anglers now tie almost exclusively with UV materials for this reason.
Can You Tell the Difference by Eye?
Sometimes. UV Fritz often has a slightly brighter, more intense appearance under natural light, and will visibly glow under a UV torch. If you're unsure, a UV torch is the quickest way to test any material.
Which Should You Stock?
The honest answer is both. Standard Fritz covers the classics; UV Fritz covers low-light and competition fishing. A well-rounded range should include both across a core palette of colours — chartreuse, orange, black, white, and pink as a minimum.
Browse the full ProTye Fritz range or get in touch if you'd like advice on building a trade range.