Flies That Catch Trout And Why They Work
We all have boxes of flies that we carry on every trip. But we always find ourselves fishing the same flies; Why?? because they always produce fish. A special thank-you to Kevin Howell of Davidson River Outfitters for extending permission to CSRA Fly Fishers to use this presentation in the furtherance of education about the sport of fly fishing.
After reviewing our guide records from the past five years, I have condensed my fly selection down to 12 basic flies. Every one of the 1203 guided trips we performed in 2007, had at least 1 trout caught on at least one of these flies.
Kevin s Stonefly
Kevin s Stonefly Fishes year round My number one fly of all time Best sizes 4-12, my favorite size is a #8 on a 4x long hook Produced more trout in more places than any other fly, NC, TN, PA, MT, WY, CO
Kevin s Stonefly Designed by Kevin Howell Brevard NC 1985 Should be heavily weighted I typically use.035 or.040 lead wire Rubber legs give realistic movement to fly along with a webby soft hackle around the thorax Peacock abdomen makes it have realistic sheen and flash
Sheepfly
Sheepfly My number two producing trout fly. Produced 23 trout over 20 inches in 2007 Best from March to November Fish in sizes 6-14 best size is #8 on a 4x long hook
Sheepfly Designed by Newland Saunders in Lenoir, NC @1950 Should be weighted heavily, full shank.030 lead wire Dubbing should be a mix of grey rabbit, muskrat, and seal fur or groundhog. This dubbing mix will trap air bubbles and release them as it sinks.
Soft Hackle Pheasant Tail
Soft Hackle Pheasant Tail Represents 90% of all mayfly larvae Will always produce one or two fish Great fly to carry year round One of my go to flies when you just have to catch a fish
Soft Hackle Pheasant Tail Soft hackles have been fished for nearly 200 years I fish them from just under the surface, to the bottom of the water column Favorite size is a 16 but commonly fish anywhere from a 10-20 This fly is often over looked by most anglers
Bead Head Rubber Legged Red Fox Squirrel Nymph
Bead Head Rubber Legged Red Fox Squirrel Nymph Represents both October Caddis Pupa and Mayfly larvae Best sizes range from #6-16 Works well year round, especially effective in spring and fall
Bead Head Rubber Legged Red Fox Squirrel Nymph Designed by Dave Whitlock Is the epitome of life in the water. The dubbing traps air bubbles, the rubber legs catch current and wiggle I fish it with both brass and tungsten bead heads.
Anderson s Bird of Prey
Anderson s Bird of Prey Year around cadis pupa, can be tied in brown, green, tan Represents 80-90% of all clinging caddis Best sizes are 10-16 on a scud style hook My preferred caddis pattern when fish are keyed in on caddis
Anderson s Bird of Prey Designed by Rick Anderson, Montana @1990 Soft hackle gives it life like movement Can be fished from just under the surface to heavily weighted flies on the bottom of the river This fly is carried and used by the majority of guides.
Bill s Provider
Bill s Provider Exceptional high clear water fly, also great when stoneflies are active Best sizes are #6-12 on 4x long hooks Fish heavily weighted, should be on or near the bottom
Bill s Provider Designed by Bill Hale, Anderson, SC @1984 Has the natural sheen of a peacock herl body, large rubber legs for motion, and large webby brown soft hackle This fly is ranked 3 rd on all of the flies that our guides use
Parachute Adams
Parachute Adams Can successfully be used to imitate 75% of all mayfly duns I use sizes 8-26, most common sizes sold are 14, 16 and 18
Parachute Adams Sets low in the water compared to traditional Catskill patterns making it look trapped or wounded Has been used successfully for at least 50 years Top dry fly from guide records Can be used for all of these flies, Blue Wing Olive, Quill Gordon, Blue Dun, Blue Quill, Slate Drake,
Bead Head Prince Nymph
Bead Head Prince Nymph Represents both caddis pupa and micro stone fly larvae Best sizes are 8-18, 14 and 16 are most common sizes Works at all levels of the water column
Bead Head Prince Nymph The prince nymph has been fished successfully for at least 50 years One fly that I never leave the shop without, especially effective on rivers that have large caddis populations
Taylor s Fat Albert
Taylor s Fat Albert Represents both dry stoneflies, and large land born insects that may get blown into the water Sizes range from #6-14 I have found 10-12 to be the size for most applications in our area Fishes best from mid May- October
Taylor s Fat Albert Number one terrestrial pattern from our guide service. Has been fished heavily for the last 4-5 years. Key is to have large rubber legs and use a different color of thread, usually red for contrast
Howell s Simple Bunny
Howell s Simple Bunny Can be tied in any color to match any baitfish Size ranges from a #1 to #10 I typically fish small 6-10 in the winter and early spring, 4-6 in late spring and summer 1-6 in fall Heavy lead eyes are key to keeping the fly on the bottom of the river.
Howell s Simple Bunny Designed by Kevin Howell in 1998 Number one streamer, from guide service records Needs to be fished deep in the water column Can be stripped slow or fast Has exceptional life and movement in the water
Furry Foam Inchworm
Furry Foam Inchworm Represents Inchworms, caterpillars, and green rock worms commonly found in the southeast Typically tied in size 10 or 12 Has many spin-offs, green weenie, green latex worm, green San Juan worm
Furry Foam Inchworm Can be fished in all depths of the water column Is our number one selling and producing fly from June Sept. Has been produced for at least 30 years
San Juan Worm
San Juan Worm There are over 400 species of aquatic worms Also represents earth worms that may get washed into the river Can be tied in sizes from 8-20
San Juan Worm Can be effective in all depths of the water column Tons of effective colors, my best colors are Flesh, Worm Brown, Red, Fl. Pink Works great in off colored and high water Don t be afraid to fish larger sizes
Good Luck!! Go Early, Stay Late, Fish Hard!!