Published Jan 30. 2009 - 15 years ago
Updated or edited Aug 8. 2015

Need help choosing flies.

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Fly fishing - Fish Better

Well I need alot of help actually.

I was wondering what 10 flies should be in everyones flybox for fishing Spring and early summer in freshwater for Brookies and rainbows. There are so many to choose from and I am not sure what you should have for nymphing and drys. Any recommandations would be a great help.

I am new to flyfishing but have been baitfishing and commercial fishing for years.

Submitted by:
David Williams

Submitted by Philly on Wed, 2009-02-04 18:22
David:...

David:
Two that I would have in my box, actually have in my box would be the CDC and Elk and the Usual. I also carry a pattern loosely based on one called Quigley's Cripple/Emerger. Another pattern that's worked for brookies up in Vermont is one called the Nalle Puh. If you don't tie, you might have trouble finding these, though the Quigley pattern might be available on line or in catalogs, and it's possible the Usual may also be available. My nymphs are pretty limited. Pheasant Tail Nymphs tied with a bead head and soft hackle in Natural, Olive and Brown. Some hares' ear nymphs tied the same way and the old Pennsylvania standby the Green Weenie.
The drys are range from size 12 to size 20. The nymphs range from size 12 to 26.

Martin Joergensen's picture

Submitted by Martin Joergensen on Thu, 2009-02-05 02:29
David,...

David,

I generally concur with Jerry in his post. Personally I have only few fresh water patterns in my box, and the ones I won't be without are:

- CDC&Elk - a caddis dry. An Elk Hair Caddis will also do
- Klinkhamer - an emerger type fly. Quite large, but very efficient.
- Hare's Ears Nymp - a universal nymph. I carry both with and without weight, and some really small ones too
- Copper John - a heavy nymph. I tie them a bit simpler than John Barr's original
- Some terrestrials - large hoppers, ants, beetles, many of them foam flies
- A few wet flies like Red Tag, March Brown and the like for the odd downstream swing
- Assorted local patterns depending on hatches, recommendations from guides, shops, fellow anglers etc.

Martin

Submitted by Ulrik Schou on Tue, 2009-02-10 19:47
Don't be without a smaller ...

Don't be without a smaller (size 6 or so) Gartside softhackle streamer in white...you can do a google search for it..
Ulrik

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