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3. 5 must have flies. , Page 2

This is such a great thread. For trout I couldn't survive without these;

Pheasant tail nymph size 12-14
Adams dry fly size 12-14
Stimulator size 8
Elk Hair Caddis size 14-16
Hendrickson Emerger or Sulfur pattern

I tried to think of ONLY 5 that I had to have to cover most situations.

James, what colors do you prefer on the stimulator? I dont think i've ever tied one.

I just tied some... actually I like them all and I play with colors too. I use orange, yellow and I have been tying some black. I like them to have natural look and color so I don't go too bright with thread. The black imitates a stonefly we have here that gets almost two inches long. It makes a great silhouette on the water. Dusk and beyond is dynamite for large browns with them. Stims aren't that hard to tie. I'm semi new at it but I love to tie.

Maybe having 5 flys in different colors would be good. Black, white, brown, Olive, and Gray? I really want to say yellow because the best spinners I use are little panther martins with yellow. Its such a great neutral color and simulates little fish and grasshopper, and some mayflies.

I would add the BWO, at least here in West MI; they're a standby fly into the fall- although the hatches and size get progressively smaller as the season progresses.

The Roguerat

I Peter 5:7 'Cast your cares upon Him...'

I'd have to say my 5 most popular flies are..

- Wooley bugger
- Prince nypmh/pheasant tail nymph
- Adam's Dry
- Mosquito
- Black ant

And, some extra's I'd have to throw in are the Double Renegade and the regular Renagade

What kind of mosquito body material do most of you guys like? I like the stripped grizzley hackle quill the best. I used to tie the black thread/silk thread with white string ribs. I've caught alot of trout on mosquito patterns. Mostly size 12-14.

I like the Grizzley hackle the best..

I've had pre-dawn nights were i've caught so many trout, that the hackle quill has broke, and unraveled. I've cut it off, and cast without the body on it, and still catch trout. Something fuzzy on the water towards the night seems to catch fish. One of my favorite times to fish.

Mine is very close to big Trout's;

Hares ear beaded or without
Black Stonefly
Pheasant tail nymph beaded or w/o
Black gnat
Adams

Since this old discussion got brought up again, here's mine, again.

Elkhair caddis
White Wulff
Adams
Woolly Bugger (many colors & combinations)
Killer Bass Fly (they catch trout too)

If I had to choose another 5:

Royal Wulff/Parachute Royal Coachman
Black-n-White Bivisible
Joe's Hopper
Black Ant
Light Hendrickson

Jonathon

So hard to choose. Mine for Steelhead/Browns would have to be-

Rock worm nymph

Egg sucking leach with a black body, and a green egg.

Hex nymph

Stone fly nymph

Wolly bugger

Great thread...the 5 that I feel the most confident in no matter the location would be:

1. Woolly Bugger - size 10 ...black/brown

2. Pheasant Tail - size 16/18

3. Zebra Midge - size 18 ...black

4. Royal Wulff - size 10

5. Stimulator - size 10-14...yellow

Close behind would be several soft hackles, copper johns, and prince nymphs. Nothing unusual, but all these flies catch fish.

Any particular color on the pheasant tail?

I don't think I have ever tied or fished a size 10 royal wulff. Most of my dry patterns don't exceed size 12. I should try some bigger drys this summer. Pheasant tails seem to be a big hit. I know alot of guys like to add some flash to them. Thank you everyone for posting your thoughts. J-Moe

J-Moe, a #10 Royal Wulff is a killer for me too, I've already caught some nice fish on it this year, including a 10" brookie and 12" rainbow yesterday. (Those are not big fish but this is not big water I'm fishing either...) Perhaps I should swap it out for the White Wulff in my Top 5 list.

Jonathon

Royal Wulffs make excellent dry-fly indicators when your fishing multi-rigs w/ a nymph or wet underneath. Because of its profile and the way it floats, I find it to be one of the best dries to use in that situation!

Yea, I love fishing larger Wulffs on small streams with a small beadhead nymph trailed behind like Adirman was talking about. Easy to see, and carries well even in turbulent water.

Even though I don't fish two-fly rigs, I can confirm that a well-dressed #10 Royal Wulff does ride high and proud on the water. And it's great fun when a fish has turned down your #14 Hennie or caddis or whatever and you pull out "the Secret Weapon". They almost always slam it hard too!

Jonathon

Sounds exciting! I need to tie some up and try it out! Thanks!