I have a major weakness: I’m in love with fly-fishing flies.
I really enjoy reading about them, talking about them, visiting fly shops to see them, and making them. If I see/hear/learn something might be effective, I have to use a Jedi Mind Trick (see video above) to keep me from buying or making that fly.
And, I suck at it.
That’s why I have oodles of fly boxes filled with flies I’ve never fished. And, I’m writing this to myself: you don’t need a lot of flies.
Here’s what works for me, if I were to boil it down:
- Nymphs: Hare’s Ear, Pheasant Tail, Zebra Midge
- Dry flies: Elkhair Caddis, Adams
- Streamers: Wooly Bugger, Marabou
What about you?
The more I read one of my favorite blogs, Small Stream Reflections, the more I realize there’s a tremendous beauty in fly fishing simply but effectively.
Time for me to simplify, methinks.
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Jo, I don't know a single fly fisher who doesn't suffer from this. Everyone does! I person ally have at least 2000 flies on me at any given time.
If I had to boil it down though, I could catch trout on almost every river 12 months out of The year on these 5 flies.
1. Orange eggs
2. Hares ear nymph
3. Zebra midge
4. Damselfly streamer
5. Grasshopper
Ah, forgot The Egg! Good call, Troy. Also, have never fished a Damselfly, but just made one last weekend. Cannot wait to try!
Never forget the egg!! Damselfly nymphs are killer on pretty much every river across the state. Especially in the spring. Dragonfly nymphs are also worthy of mention. Maybe I'll write about them sometime.
The one type of fly that I forgot about was the soft hackle. Fortunately RI Brook Trout reminded me! An Orange and Grouse will always have a spit in my "varsity box".
For small streams, all you really need is an ausable bomber, picket pin, and a mickey finn. A royal wulff, parachute adams, and some type of soft hackle are good as well.
Dries: Parachute BWO in 18-20 for small Mayflies/Midges, Parachute Adams and Light Cahill for larger mayflies, Red or Yellow Humpy or Elk Hair Caddis for small stream brookies.
Streamers: Wooly Bugger, Mickey Finn, Muddler
Nymphs: Hare's ear, Copper John, Zebra midge, usually beadhead unless I'm in a very shallow stream.