Fly Guide
How to fish every pattern in your kit.
Dry Flies
Surface patterns that float on top of the water. Fish them when you see bugs hatching or fish rising.
Adams Dry
| Sizes | 12-20 |
| Season | Year-round, peak spring and fall |
| Targets | Trout |
| Water | Every river, lake, and creek |
| Rigging | Single dry, dry-dropper |
The Adams is the most universal dry fly ever tied. The gray body, mixed brown and grizzly hackle, and upright wings imitate a wide range of mayflies — Blue-Winged Olives, Hendricksons, March Browns, Quill Gordons — without being too specific to any one of them. When in doubt, the Adams catches fish.
Effective every month of the year somewhere in the country. Peak season is spring through fall during active mayfly hatches. Even when no specific hatch is happening, the Adams works as a searching pattern because trout are programmed to recognize the silhouette of a mayfly on the surface.
Fish it as a single dry to risers or as the top fly in a dry-dropper rig with a small nymph trailing below. Sizes 12-20 cover every situation — bigger for early-season mayflies, smaller for late-summer hatches. Use a dab of floatant on the hackle to keep it riding high.
Adams Parachute
| Sizes | 12-20 |
| Season | Year-round, peak spring and fall |
| Targets | Trout |
| Water | Spring creeks, slow water, selective fish |
| Rigging | Single dry, dry-dropper |
The Adams Parachute is the modern upgrade to the classic Adams. Instead of upright wings and a tall hackle, the parachute hackle is wrapped horizontally around a single white post. The fly rides flat on the surface like a real spent or floating mayfly — and the white post makes it dramatically easier to see in any light.
Fish it during any mayfly hatch, but it really shines on slower water and spring creeks where fish get a long, careful look at the fly. Selective trout that refuse a standard Adams will often eat the parachute because the lower profile looks more natural.
Fish it as a single dry or as the indicator in a dry-dropper rig. The white post is your visual reference — when it goes under, set the hook. Sizes 12-20 cover everything from large early-season mayflies to tiny Tricos and BWOs.
Blue Dun
| Sizes | 14-20 |
| Season | Spring and fall |
| Targets | Trout |
| Water | Streams, spring creeks, rivers |
| Rigging | Single dry to rising fish |
The Blue Dun is one of the oldest dry fly patterns in fly fishing. The slate-gray body and dun-colored hackle imitate a wide range of mayfly duns — the adult, freshly emerged stage when wings are still gray and the fly is drying out before flying away. Subtle, classic, and deadly when the hatch is on.
Spring and fall are prime time as mayfly hatches dominate. Especially effective during BWO and Hendrickson hatches when adult duns are riding the surface. The drab gray color matches the look of most mayfly duns coming off the water in cool weather.
Fish it as a single dry to rising fish or during an active hatch. Sizes 14-18 are standard. The Blue Dun works best when you actually see mayflies riding the surface — it's a hatch-matching fly, not a searching pattern.
BWO (Blue-Winged Olive)
| Sizes | 16-22 |
| Season | Spring and fall, cool overcast days |
| Targets | Trout |
| Water | Tailwaters, spring creeks, slow rivers |
| Rigging | Single dry, often to specific risers |
The Blue-Winged Olive is one of the most important hatches in the country. BWOs are small olive-bodied mayflies that hatch in massive numbers during cool, overcast weather in spring and fall. When they come off, trout key in on them with laser focus and refuse almost everything else.
Peak season is spring (April-May) and fall (September-October), but BWOs can hatch any time water temperatures are right. They love cloudy, drizzly, low-pressure days. If you see small olive bugs riding the water on a gray afternoon, you're in a BWO hatch.
Fish it as a single dry to rising fish during the hatch. Match the size carefully — BWOs are typically 18-22, smaller than most anglers expect. Use light tippet (5X-6X) because fish inspect carefully. Cast upstream of the riser and let the fly drift drag-free over them.
BWO Parachute
| Sizes | 16-22 |
| Season | Spring and fall, cloudy days |
| Targets | Trout |
| Water | Tailwaters, spring creeks, selective fish |
| Rigging | Single dry to risers |
The BWO Parachute is the modern, lower-profile take on the standard BWO. The horizontal parachute hackle puts the fly flush in the surface film — exactly where a real BWO sits during the hatch. The white or pink post makes the fly easier to see in low light when most BWO hatches happen.
Same timing as the standard BWO — spring and fall, cool overcast days, anytime small olive mayflies are coming off the water. The parachute version often outfishes the upright version when fish are pressured and inspecting carefully.
Cast to specific risers with light tippet (5X-6X). The fly should land softly and drift drag-free over the fish. Sizes 18-22 match most BWO hatches. Watch the post — when it disappears, set the hook gently.
Elk Hair Caddis
| Sizes | 12-18 |
| Season | Late spring through early fall |
| Targets | Trout, panfish |
| Water | Rivers, freestones, riffles and runs |
| Rigging | Single dry, dry-dropper, skating |
The Elk Hair Caddis is the most popular dry fly in the world for good reason. The natural elk hair wing floats like cork, the buggy palmered hackle imitates skittering legs, and the tent-shaped profile perfectly matches an adult caddis on the surface. Catches fish in every kind of water.
Prime time is late spring through early fall during caddis hatches — typically afternoons and evenings when caddis pop off the water and skitter across the surface. Also works as an attractor pattern during slower fishing because the profile suggests so many different bugs.
Fish it as a single dry, the top fly in a dry-dropper rig, or skated across the surface to imitate egg-laying females. Sizes 14-16 in brown or tan match most caddis hatches. The Elk Hair Caddis floats forever — perfect for pocket water where lower-floating flies get drowned.
Corn Fed Caddis
| Sizes | 14-18 |
| Season | Spring through fall, caddis hatches |
| Targets | Trout |
| Water | Rivers, riffles, runs with caddis activity |
| Rigging | Single dry, dry-dropper |
The Corn Fed Caddis is a modern caddis pattern with a foam underbody for floatation and a tan or yellow body that imitates the lighter caddis species (like the western Hydropsyche or "spotted sedge"). The foam keeps it riding high even in choppy water, and the bright body shows up in low light.
Fishes alongside Elk Hair Caddis during any caddis hatch from late spring through fall. The lighter color works especially well during the yellow/tan caddis hatches that dominate western rivers in summer. Also a solid attractor pattern in fast water.
Same techniques as Elk Hair Caddis — single dry, dry-dropper, or skated. The foam body means it never sinks, so it's perfect for searching pocket water or dragging through fast riffles where conventional dries get pulled under. Sizes 14-16 are standard.
Green Drake
| Sizes | 10-14 |
| Season | Late June through mid-July |
| Targets | Trout |
| Water | Western freestones, large rivers |
| Rigging | Single dry to rising fish |
The Green Drake is one of the most exciting hatches in fly fishing. These are big mayflies — much larger than most — and when they hatch, the biggest trout in the river come up to eat them. Pale green body, large upright wings, and dark mottled hackle. When a Green Drake hits the water, even the wariest brown trout loses its mind.
Hatch timing is brief — typically late June through mid-July in most western waters. Often happens in the afternoon and continues into the evening. The hatch lasts only 2-3 weeks per river, so locals time their trips around it. If you're in the right place at the right time, it's the best dry fly fishing of the year.
Fish it as a single dry to specific risers. Use stout tippet (3X or 4X) because the fish that eat Green Drakes are usually big. Sizes 10-12 are standard — these are big bugs. Cast upstream of risers and let the fly drift drag-free.
Griffith's Gnat
| Sizes | 18-22 |
| Season | Year-round, peak winter and summer |
| Targets | Trout |
| Water | Tailwaters, spring creeks, slow water |
| Rigging | Single dry to sipping fish |
The Griffith's Gnat imitates clusters of midges or a single small adult midge riding the surface. The peacock herl body and palmered grizzly hackle create the impression of multiple tiny bugs balled together — which is exactly what happens when midges hatch and clump on calm water. Trout key in on these clusters.
Fishes year-round but peak season is winter and mid-summer when midges dominate the food source. Especially deadly on tailwaters and spring creeks where midges are constant. Look for tiny rings on the water — those are fish eating midges and the Griffith's Gnat is the answer.
Fish it as a single dry on light tippet (6X-7X). These are tiny flies and selective fish — delicate presentation matters. Sizes 18-22 are standard. Cast upstream of risers and let it drift naturally. Set the hook gently when it disappears.
Hemingway Caddis
| Sizes | 12-16 |
| Season | Late spring through fall |
| Targets | Trout |
| Water | Rivers, riffles, pocket water |
| Rigging | Single dry, dry-dropper |
The Hemingway Caddis is a high-floating caddis pattern with a peacock herl body, palmered hackle, and a distinctive deer or elk hair wing. The peacock herl gives it a buggy, iridescent quality that suggests caddis with extra trigger appeal. A classic pattern named after the famous angler who loved it.
Late spring through fall during any caddis activity. The peacock body makes it work as an attractor pattern even when nothing's hatching — the iridescence catches light underwater and draws looks from below. Works in both fast and slow water.
Fish it as a single dry, the top of a dry-dropper rig, or skated across the surface like an egg-laying caddis. Sizes 14-16 are most productive. The high-riding profile makes it ideal for fast water and pocket water where conventional dries get drowned.
Light Cahill
| Sizes | 12-16 |
| Season | Late spring through summer |
| Targets | Trout |
| Water | Eastern and midwestern streams, freestones |
| Rigging | Single dry to rising fish |
The Light Cahill is a classic eastern dry fly that imitates the lighter cream and pale yellow mayfly species — particularly the Stenacron and Stenonema mayflies common in eastern and midwestern rivers. The cream body and ginger hackle catch evening light and float high on the surface.
Peak season is late spring through mid-summer when the Light Cahill hatches happen on eastern freestones. Often hatches in the evening as light fades, when the cream-colored fly stands out against the dark water. A go-to for summer evening dry fly fishing in trout country.
Fish it as a single dry to specific risers during the evening hatch. Sizes 12-14 are standard. Cast upstream of fish and let it drift drag-free. Because the fly is light-colored, it's one of the easier dries to track in fading light.
Mosquito
| Sizes | 14-18 |
| Season | Late spring through fall |
| Targets | Trout, panfish |
| Water | Stillwater, slow creeks, lakes, ponds |
| Rigging | Single dry to rising fish |
The Mosquito is one of the oldest, simplest, and most underrated dry flies in fly fishing. The slim grizzly-banded body and sparse hackle imitate the long, thin profile of an adult mosquito — but it also passes for crane flies, midges, and small mayfly spinners. Subtle, accurate, and deadly on calm water.
Fishes best from late spring through fall when mosquitoes and other slim insects are actively riding the surface. Especially deadly on stillwater — lakes, ponds, and slow back-eddies where mosquitoes congregate. Also a strong choice in mountain streams at high elevation where trout see mosquitoes constantly.
Fish it as a single dry on light tippet (5X-6X). The slim profile means trout can inspect carefully, so a clean drag-free drift matters. Sizes 14-16 are standard. Especially productive on calm evenings when the surface is glassy and you can see every rise.
Parachute Caddis
| Sizes | 14-18 |
| Season | Late spring through fall |
| Targets | Trout |
| Water | Slow rivers, spring creeks, selective fish |
| Rigging | Single dry, dry-dropper |
The Parachute Caddis combines the silhouette of a caddis with the lower-riding profile of a parachute hackle. Instead of perching high on the water like an Elk Hair Caddis, the parachute version sits flush in the surface film — exactly like a caddis that has just emerged or is laying eggs. The white post makes it easy to track.
Best during caddis hatches in slow water and spring creeks where trout get a long, detailed look at the fly. The lower profile fools fish that have refused the high-riding Elk Hair Caddis. Also deadly during spent caddis falls in the evening when adults die on the water.
Fish it as a single dry to specific risers. Sizes 14-16 match most caddis species. The fly rides lower so it can be harder to see in choppy water — best on smooth glides and runs. Watch the white post as your strike indicator.
PMD (Pale Morning Dun)
| Sizes | 14-18 |
| Season | June through August |
| Targets | Trout |
| Water | Western rivers, tailwaters, spring creeks |
| Rigging | Single dry to rising fish |
The Pale Morning Dun is the defining summer mayfly hatch on western rivers. Pale yellow body, light dun wings, and a distinct pinkish-yellow underside that fish recognize from below. PMDs hatch in massive numbers on tailwaters and spring creeks, and trout key in on them with selective focus for weeks at a time.
Peak season is June through August, typically late morning to early afternoon (hence "Morning Dun"). Hatches are most predictable on tailwaters with consistent water temperatures. When the PMD hatch is on, it's the only fly that matters — trout refuse almost everything else.
Fish it as a single dry to specific risers. Use light tippet (5X-6X) because trout inspect carefully during the hatch. Sizes 14-18 match different PMD species — go smaller in late summer as the bugs get smaller. Cast 2-3 feet upstream of risers for a drag-free drift.
Parachute Trico
| Sizes | 20-24 |
| Season | Late summer through early fall |
| Targets | Trout |
| Water | Tailwaters, spring creeks, slow rivers |
| Rigging | Single dry on light tippet |
Tricos are the smallest important mayfly hatch in fly fishing — tiny black and white mayflies that hatch in massive spinner falls during late summer. The Parachute Trico imitates the spent spinner stage when adult Tricos die on the water with wings spread flat. The white post makes a fly almost impossible to see otherwise.
Peak season is late July through September, almost always in the early morning (7-10 AM) when the spinner fall happens. Trout line up in slow water and sip Tricos systematically for hours. This is some of the most technical, rewarding dry fly fishing in the sport.
Fish it as a single dry on the lightest tippet you can manage (6X-7X). Sizes 20-24 — yes, that small. Cast accurately to specific risers and let the fly drift drag-free through their feeding lane. Set the hook gently on tiny flies and tiny tippet.
Purple Haze
| Sizes | 12-18 |
| Season | Year-round, peak summer |
| Targets | Trout |
| Water | Western rivers, mountain streams, freestones |
| Rigging | Single dry, dry-dropper |
The Purple Haze is a modern western pattern that's become one of the most reliable attractor dries in the country. The purple body is an oddball color that shouldn't work but absolutely does — purple is one of those colors trout consistently react to. Combined with a parachute hackle and high-visibility post, it's a fish-catching machine.
Fishes year-round but peak season is summer when trout are looking up. The Purple Haze doesn't imitate any specific bug — it's an attractor that suggests mayflies, terrestrials, or just "something edible." Especially deadly on freestones and mountain streams where opportunistic trout eat first and ask questions later.
Fish it as a single dry or as the top fly in a dry-dropper rig with a small nymph below. Sizes 14-16 are most productive. The high-visibility post makes it easy to track in any light. Great pattern when you don't know what's hatching but trout are looking up.
Renegade
| Sizes | 12-16 |
| Season | Summer and fall |
| Targets | Trout, panfish |
| Water | Mountain streams, lakes, pocket water |
| Rigging | Single dry, often skated |
The Renegade is a unique pattern with hackle wrapped at both ends of the body — white in front, brown in back. The dual hackle creates the impression of two bugs or a single bug from any angle. Originally designed for high mountain lakes, it works on trout from any direction and floats like a cork.
Best from summer through fall in mountain streams and lakes where trout are opportunistic and don't get many chances at food. Especially effective on alpine lakes where the unusual silhouette suggests anything from a moth to a beetle to a dying mayfly. Also a sleeper pattern on pocket water.
Fish it as a single dry, dropped behind a streamer, or skated across the surface. Sizes 12-14 are standard. The Renegade is a forgiving fly — it floats high, casts easy, and trout don't seem to care that nothing in nature actually looks like it.
Royal Wulff
| Sizes | 10-16 |
| Season | Summer, all season in mountain water |
| Targets | Trout |
| Water | Fast water, freestones, pocket water |
| Rigging | Single dry, dry-dropper |
The Royal Wulff is a classic American attractor dry — peacock herl body with a red band, white calf-tail wings, and dark hackle. It doesn't imitate anything in nature but it imitates "buggy food" perfectly, and the white wings make it the easiest dry to see in any water condition. A pattern every angler should own.
Best in summer on western and mountain freestones where the high-floating profile shines in fast, rocky water. The white wings are visible at any distance in any light, making it perfect for pocket water and fast riffles where seeing your fly matters. Trout eat it because it just looks like food.
Fish it as a single dry in fast water or as the top fly in a dry-dropper rig — the high floatation supports a heavier nymph below without sinking. Sizes 12-14 are standard. The Royal Wulff is built for water where lower-floating flies get drowned.
Rusty Spinner
| Sizes | 16-22 |
| Season | Late spring through fall, evenings |
| Targets | Trout |
| Water | Slow water, tailwaters, spring creeks |
| Rigging | Single dry to subtle risers |
The Rusty Spinner imitates the final stage of a mayfly's life — the spent spinner that has mated, laid eggs, and is dying on the surface with wings spread flat. The rusty-orange body matches the color of many spent mayflies, and the flush profile sits exactly in the surface film. This is what trout are eating when they sip subtly with barely a ring.
Most productive in the evenings during summer and early fall after mayfly hatches end. As the hatch winds down, the spinners fall to the water in masses and trout switch from chasing duns to gulping spent spinners. The Rusty Spinner is what they want and almost nothing else works.
Fish it as a single dry on light tippet (5X-6X). Sizes 16-20 match most spent mayflies. Cast to specific risers — spinner falls happen on calm water where you can see every sip. The fly is hard to see (it sits flush in the film), so watch the leader for movement.
Sulphur Parachute
| Sizes | 14-18 |
| Season | Late spring through early summer |
| Targets | Trout |
| Water | Eastern freestones, spring creeks, tailwaters |
| Rigging | Single dry to rising fish |
The Sulphur is the defining late-spring mayfly hatch in the eastern United States. Bright yellow-orange body, pale wings, and a delicate profile. When the Sulphurs hatch, trout — especially big browns — abandon caution and feed openly on the surface. The Parachute version sits flush in the film and shows up beautifully in low evening light.
Peak season is mid-May through June on eastern freestones, with a second smaller emergence in late summer. The hatch typically happens late afternoon into evening as light fades. Some of the best dry fly fishing on eastern rivers happens during the Sulphur hatch.
Fish it as a single dry to specific risers. Sizes 14-16 are standard, though some western and midwestern Sulphurs run smaller (sizes 18-20). Light tippet (5X-6X) and accurate casts upstream of risers. The white post makes the fly easy to track even in fading light.
X-Caddis
| Sizes | 14-18 |
| Season | Late spring through fall |
| Targets | Trout |
| Water | Rivers and tailwaters during caddis hatches |
| Rigging | Single dry to rising fish |
The X-Caddis is a modern emerger-style caddis pattern with a trailing shuck that imitates a caddis caught half-way through emergence — the most vulnerable and most-eaten stage of the bug. The trailing antron shuck is the trigger. Trout that refuse high-floating caddis patterns often eat the X-Caddis because it looks "stuck" — exactly like a real emerging caddis.
Fishes through any caddis hatch from late spring through fall. Especially effective when trout are flashing or boiling just under the surface during a hatch but won't take a standard Elk Hair Caddis — that flashing is fish eating emergers, and the X-Caddis is the answer.
Fish it as a single dry on light tippet (5X-6X). The fly sits flush in the surface film, so it can be hard to see — track the wing and watch for any sip or boil. Sizes 14-16 in tan, olive, and brown cover most caddis species. Cast accurately to specific risers.
Yellow Sally
| Sizes | 12-16 |
| Season | Late spring through summer |
| Targets | Trout |
| Water | Western freestones, mountain streams |
| Rigging | Single dry, dry-dropper |
The Yellow Sally imitates a small bright-yellow stonefly common across the western United States. Unlike the giant salmonflies, Yellow Sallies are slim and small enough to look like an exaggerated mayfly. The bright yellow body shows up in any light and trout key in on them whenever they're flying around.
Peak season is late spring through mid-summer in mountain freestones — typically June through July. Yellow Sallies are most active in the afternoons when sun warms the bankside rocks and triggers them to fly. They flutter, land on the water, and get eaten. Trout know exactly what they are.
Fish it as a single dry or as the top of a dry-dropper rig — the floating bright body makes a great strike indicator. Sizes 14-16 are standard. Especially effective near banks and overhanging vegetation where Yellow Sallies congregate. Trout often hold tight to the bank waiting for them to drop.
Henry's Fork Salmonfly
| Sizes | 4-8 |
| Season | Late May through June |
| Targets | Trout |
| Water | Western freestones, big rivers |
| Rigging | Single dry on heavy tippet |
The Henry's Fork Salmonfly is a giant foam-bodied stonefly pattern designed to imitate the massive salmonflies that hatch on western rivers in late spring. These are the biggest bugs trout see all year — 2 to 3 inches long — and when the salmonfly hatch is on, every trout in the river loses its mind. The foam body floats forever, the orange underbelly screams "salmonfly," and the rubber legs trigger reaction strikes.
The salmonfly hatch is one of the most legendary events in fly fishing. It happens once a year — late May through mid-June on rivers like the Henry's Fork, the Madison, the Big Hole, and the Yellowstone. The hatch moves upstream over 2-3 weeks. If you're in the right place during the hatch, it's the best dry fly fishing of your life.
Fish it as a single dry with stout tippet (2X-3X) — the fish that eat salmonflies are huge and the takes are violent. Cast tight to banks and grassy overhangs where salmonflies crawl onto trees. Sizes 4-6 match the natural bug size. Don't strike too fast — let the fish turn down with the fly.
Stimulator
| Sizes | 8-14 |
| Season | Summer, mid-spring through early fall |
| Targets | Trout |
| Water | Pocket water, fast freestones, mountain streams |
| Rigging | Single dry, dry-dropper anchor |
The Stimulator is the most popular attractor dry fly in the West. Long buoyant elk hair body, palmered hackle, and an orange or yellow body create a profile that suggests stoneflies, big caddis, or hoppers — without being too specific to any of them. It floats like a cork, casts like a dream, and catches fish in every kind of trout water.
Peak season is summer in pocket water and fast freestones where trout are opportunistic. The high-floating profile shines in choppy water and the bright body shows up in any light. Also a top choice as the dry portion of a dry-dropper rig — it supports heavy nymphs without sinking.
Fish it as a single dry in pocket water or as the top fly in dry-dropper rigs. Sizes 10-14 in orange and yellow are most productive. The Stimulator excels at fast water where conventional dries get drowned. Cast it into seams and let it ride through pocket water — strikes are often violent.
Emergers
Transitional patterns that fish in or just below the surface film. Used when bugs are hatching and fish are keying on insects about to break through.
Barr's Emerger
| Sizes | 16-22 |
| Season | Year-round, peak during mayfly hatches |
| Targets | Trout |
| Water | Tailwaters, spring creeks, slow rivers |
| Rigging | Dropper below dry, light euro rig |
Barr's Emerger is one of the most effective emerger patterns ever designed. Tied by John Barr to imitate a mayfly nymph caught in the act of emerging — half nymph, half adult, stuck in the surface film. The trailing shuck, dubbed thorax, and emerging wing case combine into a fly that perfectly mimics the most vulnerable stage of a mayfly's life.
Fishes year-round but peak effectiveness is during any mayfly hatch — BWOs in spring and fall, PMDs in summer, Tricos late summer. When trout are flashing or boiling just below the surface during a hatch, they're eating emergers like this, not the adults above. Especially deadly on tailwaters and spring creeks.
Fish it as a dropper 12-18 inches below a dry fly, or as the trailing fly in a light euro rig. The fly should ride just below the surface film — that's where real emergers are. Sizes 18-20 are standard. Olive and BWO colors cover the most important hatches.
BWO Emerger
| Sizes | 18-22 |
| Season | Spring and fall, cool overcast days |
| Targets | Trout |
| Water | Tailwaters, spring creeks, slow water |
| Rigging | Dropper below BWO dry |
The BWO Emerger imitates a Blue-Winged Olive caught in the surface film during emergence — wings partially unfolded, body still in nymph form, stuck between two worlds. During a BWO hatch, more trout eat emergers than eat adults. This is the fly that catches the fish refusing your dry.
Peak season is spring (April-May) and fall (September-October) during BWO hatches. Cool, overcast, drizzly days are prime time — BWOs hatch in waves on bad weather. When you see fish rising during a BWO hatch but refusing duns on the surface, switch to an emerger immediately.
Fish it as a dropper 8-12 inches below a BWO dry fly on light tippet (5X-6X). The fly should ride right in the surface film, not below. Sizes 18-22 to match real BWOs. Watch the dry — when it disappears or twitches, set the hook. The take on an emerger is often subtle.
RS2
| Sizes | 18-24 |
| Season | Year-round, peak winter and spring |
| Targets | Trout |
| Water | Tailwaters, spring creeks, technical water |
| Rigging | Dropper, tandem nymph rig |
The RS2 is one of the most important small flies in fly fishing — a sparse, slim emerger pattern that imitates emerging BWOs, midges, and other small mayflies. Designed by Rim Chung in Colorado, the RS2 has caught more selective tailwater trout than almost any other pattern. The slim profile and trailing shuck are deadly.
Peak effectiveness is winter and spring on tailwaters where small flies dominate the food. Also a year-round producer anywhere midges or BWOs hatch. Especially deadly on technical water where trout get a long, detailed look at the fly — the sparse profile fools fish that refuse fluffier patterns.
Fish it as a dropper 12-18 inches behind a larger nymph or under an indicator. Light tippet (6X) and accurate drifts matter. Sizes 20-22 are standard for tailwaters — even smaller (24) for midge hatches. Olive and gray are the most productive colors.
WD-40
| Sizes | 18-24 |
| Season | Year-round, peak BWO and midge hatches |
| Targets | Trout |
| Water | Tailwaters, spring creeks, slow rivers |
| Rigging | Dropper, tandem nymph rig |
The WD-40 is a sparse mayfly emerger pattern — wood duck flank fibers for the tail and wing case, a thin dubbed body. Despite the bare-bones look (or because of it), the WD-40 catches selective trout when more complex patterns get refused. It's especially effective during BWO hatches and as a generic small mayfly emerger.
Year-round producer with peak effectiveness during spring and fall BWO hatches. Also a top choice in winter when midges and tiny mayflies dominate. Especially deadly on tailwaters and spring creeks where trout inspect carefully — the sparse profile looks more natural than overdressed patterns.
Fish it as a dropper 12-18 inches behind a dry or larger nymph. Sizes 18-22 are standard, going down to 24 for midge hatches. Light tippet (6X-7X) and a clean drag-free drift matter. The WD-40 fishes best on long leaders in slow, clear water.
Nymphs
Subsurface patterns imitating aquatic insects underwater. Make up most of a trout's diet — typically the most productive patterns year-round.
Zebra Midge
| Sizes | 16-22 |
| Season | Year-round, best Nov-Mar |
| Targets | Trout |
| Water | Tailwaters, spring creeks, stillwater |
| Rigging | Dropper, euro nymph, indicator |
The Zebra Midge imitates the larval and pupal stages of midges — tiny aquatic insects that hatch year-round in nearly every trout water in the country. Despite the simple, almost crude appearance, it's one of the deadliest patterns in fly fishing. Trout eat midges constantly, especially in tailwaters, spring creeks, and stillwaters where midge populations are massive.
Fish it year-round, but especially during winter and early spring when midges are often the only thing hatching. It also produces all summer in slower water and in the early morning before mayflies and caddis get going. If you see tiny rings on the water with no visible bug, fish are likely eating midges below the surface.
Fish it under an indicator as a dropper off a larger nymph, or as the trailing fly in a two-nymph euro rig. Sizes 16-22 are most common. The brass or silver bead adds just enough weight to get it to the right depth without overweighting it. In tailwaters, fish it close to the bottom in slower currents.
Blowtorch
| Sizes | 12-16 |
| Season | Spring through fall |
| Targets | Trout |
| Water | Riffles, pocket water, stained water |
| Rigging | Euro nymph point fly, indicator rig |
The Blowtorch is a hot-spot euro nymph that imitates a caddis pupa or attractor mayfly nymph. Tied with a bright ice dub thorax and a contrasting body, it's designed to trigger reaction strikes from trout that aren't necessarily feeding selectively. The flash and hot color get noticed in stained water and fast current.
Fish it year-round but it really shines from spring through fall when caddis and mayfly nymphs are active. Most productive in faster water where fish have to decide quickly — riffles, pocket water, runs with broken surface. Also a strong choice when water is slightly off-color from rain or runoff.
Best fished as the point fly in a euro rig or as the lead fly under an indicator. The tungsten bead gets it deep fast, so it's perfect for fast-moving water where you need to get down quickly. Sizes 12-16 cover most situations.
Brassie
| Sizes | 16-22 |
| Season | Year-round, best winter and early spring |
| Targets | Trout |
| Water | Tailwaters, spring creeks, clear water |
| Rigging | Dropper in two-fly nymph rig |
The Brassie is one of the simplest and most effective nymphs ever tied — just copper wire wrapped on a hook with a peacock herl thorax. It imitates midge larvae, small caddis pupae, and other slim subsurface insects. The copper body picks up light underwater and gets noticed even in the smallest sizes.
A go-to all year, but especially productive in winter and early spring when midges dominate the food source. Works in any water type — tailwaters, freestones, spring creeks. Particularly effective in clear water where trout get a long look at the fly.
Fish it as a dropper under a larger nymph or dry fly. Sizes 16-22 are standard. In slower water, fish it on a longer leader with a small indicator. In riffles, drop it off a heavier nymph to get it down to the right depth.
Caddis Pupa
| Sizes | 12-16 |
| Season | Late spring through early fall |
| Targets | Trout |
| Water | Rivers and creeks during caddis hatches |
| Rigging | Swing, indicator, dropper |
The Caddis Pupa imitates the emerging stage of a caddis — when the bug leaves the bottom and swims to the surface to hatch. This is when caddis are most vulnerable, and trout key in on them aggressively. It's one of the most overlooked but most productive subsurface patterns in fly fishing.
Most effective during caddis hatches from late spring through early fall — typically in the afternoons and evenings when caddis are popping off the water. Even when no hatch is visible, caddis pupae are present in the water column year-round and trout eat them opportunistically.
The best way to fish it is to "swing" it — cast across the current, let it sink, then let it swing toward the surface at the end of the drift. That ascending motion mimics a hatching pupa perfectly. Also fishes well dead-drifted under an indicator. Sizes 12-16 in olive, tan, or brown cover most hatches.
Caddis Larva
| Sizes | 12-16 |
| Season | Year-round, best late winter to early spring |
| Targets | Trout |
| Water | Bottom of rivers and freestones |
| Rigging | Euro nymph anchor, indicator with weight |
The Caddis Larva imitates the bottom-dwelling, pre-emergence stage of a caddis. These larvae live in cases or free-roaming on the river bottom, making up a huge part of a trout's daily diet. Unlike the pupa, the larva is on the bottom 95% of the time — so the fly needs to fish deep.
Effective year-round. Caddis larvae are present in fishable numbers in every season, and trout eat them whether bugs are hatching or not. Especially productive in late winter and early spring before bigger hatches begin, when subsurface food is the only game in town.
Fish it deep — on the bottom or just above. Best as the heavier anchor fly in a euro rig or under a strike indicator with enough weight to get down. Olive and green are the most productive colors. Sizes 12-16 work for most water.
Copper John
| Sizes | 12-18 |
| Season | Year-round, best early season high flows |
| Targets | Trout |
| Water | Tailwaters, freestones, pocket water |
| Rigging | Heavy anchor in two-fly nymph rig |
The Copper John is one of the most popular nymphs in fly fishing for good reason — it's heavy, flashy, and looks just enough like a mayfly nymph or stonefly to fool trout in any water. The copper wire body adds weight (so it gets deep fast) and creates flash that draws attention from a distance.
A year-round producer, but especially strong in fast water and during early-season high flows when fish are looking for substantial meals. Works in tailwaters, freestones, and pocket water. The flash makes it most effective in clear water with good light penetration.
Use it as the heavy anchor fly in a two-nymph rig — the Copper John gets the rig down while a smaller dropper trails behind. Sizes 12-18 cover most water. Standard copper is the workhorse, but red and chartreuse work well in stained water or when trout want something different.
Hare's Ear
| Sizes | 12-18 |
| Season | Year-round |
| Targets | Trout, bass, panfish |
| Water | Every water type — rivers, lakes, creeks |
| Rigging | Indicator, euro, dry-dropper |
The Hare's Ear is the most versatile nymph ever tied. The buggy, scruffy body of natural hare's fur imitates everything — mayfly nymphs, caddis pupae, scuds, small stoneflies — without looking like any one thing specifically. Trout eat it because it looks like food, and it always looks like food.
Fishes year-round in every water type. There's never a wrong time to tie on a Hare's Ear. Especially deadly during mayfly hatches when it imitates the emerging nymph, but works just as well prospecting during slow periods when nothing's hatching.
Standard nymphing technique — under an indicator, in a euro rig, or dropped off a dry fly. The bead-head version gets it down faster; the unweighted version drifts higher in the water column. Sizes 12-18 cover everything from big stonefly waters to spring creek selectivity.
Lightning Bug
| Sizes | 14-18 |
| Season | Year-round, best late winter to early summer |
| Targets | Trout |
| Water | Stained water, cloudy days, murky conditions |
| Rigging | Second fly in tandem nymph rig |
The Lightning Bug is a flashy attractor nymph that doesn't imitate any specific insect — it just looks like food in motion. The tinsel body throws light in every direction, drawing strikes from trout that might not even be actively feeding. Great for grabbing attention in murky water or low-light conditions.
Best from late winter through early summer when water is often higher and slightly stained from runoff. Also a strong choice on cloudy days when natural light is low and flash matters more. Effective year-round as a dropper.
Fish it as the second fly in a tandem nymph rig — let a heavier point fly do the depth work and let the Lightning Bug flash above it. Sizes 14-18. Use silver in clear water and gold in stained water to maximize visibility.
Pheasant Tail
| Sizes | 14-20 |
| Season | Year-round, peak during mayfly hatches |
| Targets | Trout |
| Water | Slower water, spring creeks, every river |
| Rigging | Indicator, euro, dry-dropper |
Along with the Hare's Ear, the Pheasant Tail is one of the two most important nymphs ever tied. The slim, segmented profile of pheasant tail fibers perfectly imitates a mayfly nymph — and since mayflies are the dominant trout food in most rivers, the Pheasant Tail catches fish almost everywhere.
Year-round producer with peak effectiveness during mayfly hatches in spring and fall. Fish it before, during, and after a hatch to cover trout eating ascending nymphs, emergers, and post-hatch leftovers. Especially productive in slower water and spring creeks where trout get a long look.
Standard nymphing — indicator rigs, euro rigs, dry-dropper. The bead-head version sinks faster; the unweighted version drifts in the upper column. Sizes 14-20 are standard. Match the size to the mayflies you see — bigger flies for early-season mayflies, smaller for tricos and BWOs.
Prince Nymph
| Sizes | 12-16 |
| Season | Late spring through fall |
| Targets | Trout |
| Water | Mountain streams, freestones, pocket water |
| Rigging | Indicator, euro nymph anchor |
The Prince Nymph is a classic attractor that doesn't really look like anything in nature but catches trout everywhere. The peacock body, white biot wings, and brown hackle create a buggy profile that suggests stoneflies, mayflies, or generic food. The white wings are the key — they give the fly a unique signature trout key in on.
Best from late spring through fall, especially in faster water where the buggy silhouette and flash get noticed. A go-to in mountain streams and freestones. Also produces well during stonefly hatches when fish are looking for bigger meals.
Fish it under an indicator in faster water, or as the anchor in a euro rig. The bead-head version is essential for getting depth. Sizes 12-16 cover most situations. Trail it with a smaller dropper for a deadly tandem rig.
Frenchie
| Sizes | 12-18 |
| Season | Year-round |
| Targets | Trout |
| Water | Riffles, runs, pocket water |
| Rigging | Euro nymph point fly |
The Frenchie is a modern euro-nymph favorite — basically a Pheasant Tail with a bright hot-spot collar of pink, orange, or chartreuse dubbing. The hot spot acts as a trigger, drawing attention from trout that might pass on a plain pattern. Despite the flashy accent, the underlying mayfly nymph profile is what closes the deal.
Fish it year-round. The Frenchie really shines in fast, broken water where trout don't have time to inspect the fly — the hot spot makes the decision easy. Also excellent during high or slightly stained water when visibility matters.
Built for euro nymphing. Use it as the point fly with a tungsten bead to anchor the rig and get deep fast. Sizes 14-16 are most productive. Pink hot spots work well in clear water, orange and chartreuse in stained.
Purple Duracell
| Sizes | 14-18 |
| Season | Year-round, great in cold water |
| Targets | Trout |
| Water | Tailwaters, freestones, clear water |
| Rigging | Euro nymph, indicator dropper |
The Purple Duracell is a euro-style attractor nymph with a purple body, copper rib, and bright orange hot spot. Purple is one of those colors that trout just react to — it's not in nature, but it triggers strikes consistently. Especially deadly in cold, clear water where natural patterns get inspected and refused.
Best in winter and early spring when trout are sluggish but reactive to bright triggers. Also produces well year-round as a change-up pattern when fish are pressured and tired of seeing the same drab nymphs.
Fish it as a point or dropper in a euro rig, or under an indicator with enough weight to get down. Sizes 14-16 work for most water. Tungsten bead is standard — the weight matters more than the color.
Rainbow Warrior
| Sizes | 16-20 |
| Season | Year-round, especially winter |
| Targets | Trout |
| Water | Tailwaters, spring creeks, clear water |
| Rigging | Dropper, euro rig second fly |
The Rainbow Warrior is a small flashy nymph designed to imitate emerging midges, baetis nymphs, and other small mayflies — but really, it's just a tiny flash bomb that trout can't ignore. Pearl flash body, red thread accents, and a small tungsten bead make it one of the deadliest small nymphs you can fish.
Year-round producer, peak effectiveness in winter and early spring when midges and small mayflies are the dominant food. Especially productive in tailwaters where small flies dominate and fish are tuned in to subtle subsurface food.
Fish it as the second fly in a tandem nymph rig, trailing behind a larger or heavier point fly. Sizes 16-20 are standard. The smaller you go, the more selective trout it'll catch.
Sexy Walt's
| Sizes | 12-16 |
| Season | Year-round |
| Targets | Trout |
| Water | Rivers, freestones, riffles and runs |
| Rigging | Euro nymph, indicator dropper |
Sexy Walt's is a modern take on the classic Walt's Worm — a simple hare's-fur nymph with added flash and a hot spot collar. The dubbed body has that "buggy" look that suggests every type of nymph at once, and the flash plus the hot spot turn it into an attention magnet trout struggle to ignore.
Year-round producer in any river. Especially effective in riffles and runs where the buggy profile and flash get noticed in moving water. Also excellent during early-season high flows when trout are looking for substantial meals.
Built for euro nymphing — use it as the point fly with a tungsten bead. Also works as a heavier dropper under an indicator. Sizes 12-16 cover most water. The hot spot collar (usually pink or orange) is what makes the fly.
Perdigon
| Sizes | 14-20 |
| Season | Year-round |
| Targets | Trout |
| Water | Fast water, deep runs, pocket water |
| Rigging | Euro nymph point fly |
The Perdigon is a slim, sleek, fast-sinking euro nymph originally developed by Spanish competition anglers. The smooth UV-coated body cuts through the water column like a missile, getting down to fish in fast water faster than almost any other pattern. Imitates a generic mayfly nymph but works as a pure search fly too.
Best in fast, deep water where conventional nymphs can't get down. Excellent year-round but particularly productive in spring and summer when high flows make depth a challenge. Also great in pocket water where you need to get deep fast in a short drift.
This is a euro nymph fly first and foremost — fish it as the point fly with a tungsten bead. The slim profile means almost zero drag in current. Sizes 14-18 are standard. Olive, black, and pink/red are top color choices.
Shop Vac
| Sizes | 16-20 |
| Season | Year-round |
| Targets | Trout |
| Water | Tailwaters, spring creeks, clear water |
| Rigging | Dropper, tandem nymph rig |
The Shop Vac is a small attractor nymph designed by Lance Egan as a baetis/midge imitation. The slim body, white wing case, and bead create a profile that suggests an emerging mayfly or midge pupa. Despite the goofy name, it's one of the most reliable small nymphs in competition fly fishing.
Year-round producer with peak effectiveness during baetis (BWO) hatches in spring and fall, and midge hatches in winter. Tailwaters and spring creeks are prime water — anywhere small flies dominate the diet.
Fish it as the second fly in a tandem rig, behind a heavier point fly. Sizes 16-20. The white wing case is the visual trigger — it imitates the wing pad of an emerging mayfly nymph. Fish it shallow during hatches, deeper during prospecting.
Mop Fly
| Sizes | 10-14 |
| Season | Year-round, best high or stained water |
| Targets | Trout |
| Water | Stocker rivers, high flows, stained water |
| Rigging | Euro nymph point fly, indicator anchor |
The Mop Fly is exactly what it sounds like — a strand of microfiber chenille (literally from a car mop) on a hook with a bead. It looks like nothing in nature but catches fish like crazy. Probably imitates a crane fly larva or generic worm. Trout demolish it whether they should or not.
Year-round producer but absolutely deadly in spring and early summer when water is high and stained. Also a top choice anywhere stocked trout are present — they didn't grow up eating natural bugs and the chunky profile triggers easy strikes.
Best as the point fly in a euro rig with a heavy tungsten bead — the Mop is big and bulky so you need weight to keep it down. Cream, olive, and tan are productive colors. Sizes 10-14. Pair with a smaller, more imitative dropper.
Soft Hackle Nymph
| Sizes | 12-16 |
| Season | Spring through fall, peak during hatches |
| Targets | Trout |
| Water | Rivers, runs, areas with active hatches |
| Rigging | Swing, wet-fly, dropper |
The Soft Hackle is one of the oldest fly patterns in existence — a simple body with a soft, breathing hackle collar (usually partridge or hen). The hackle pulses with current, creating the illusion of life. It imitates emerging caddis, mayflies, and ascending nymphs in transition.
Most productive during active hatches in spring through fall. When you see fish flashing just below the surface but not breaking water, they're often eating emergers — and the Soft Hackle is the answer. Also fishes well prospecting in slower runs year-round.
The classic technique is the wet-fly swing — cast down and across, let the fly drift and swing through the run, mend as needed. The hackle pulses on the swing and draws aggressive takes. Also fishes well as a dropper or in a multi-fly rig.
Stonefly Nymph
| Sizes | 6-12 |
| Season | Year-round, peak spring and early summer |
| Targets | Trout |
| Water | Fast freestones, rocky rivers, pocket water |
| Rigging | Heavy anchor in indicator or euro rig |
The Stonefly Nymph imitates the large, multi-year aquatic stage of stoneflies — one of the biggest meals available to trout. Stoneflies live in rocky, fast water and crawl to shore to hatch, so they're often dislodged and drifting. Trout know this and key in on them, especially in freestone rivers.
Year-round producer because stoneflies have multi-year life cycles and are always present. Peak season is spring through early summer when natural stonefly hatches happen. Also deadly in high-water periods when stoneflies get washed out of the rocks.
Fish it deep — stoneflies live on the bottom and the fly should be too. Heavy tungsten bead, lead wraps, or extra weight on the leader are required. Best as the anchor fly under an indicator or as the point fly in a euro rig. Sizes 6-12, golden and black being most productive.
Rubber Legs
| Sizes | 6-10 |
| Season | Year-round, peak spring runoff |
| Targets | Trout |
| Water | Fast water, high flows, stonefly water |
| Rigging | Heavy anchor fly under indicator or euro |
Pat's Rubber Legs is the most popular stonefly imitation in the West for one reason — it works. The chunky chenille body with wiggly rubber legs perfectly imitates a stonefly nymph crawling through current. The leg motion in moving water is what triggers strikes that other stoneflies miss.
Year-round producer in any stonefly water. Peak season is spring runoff (April-June) when high flows wash stoneflies out of the rocks and fish are gorging on them. Also a top choice in fall as fish bulk up before winter.
Fish it deep, fish it heavy. This is a big bug and trout expect to see it on the bottom. Use as the anchor fly under an indicator or as the point in a euro rig. Sizes 6-10. Brown, black, and coffee/black combos are most productive.
Squirmy Worm
| Sizes | 10-14 |
| Season | Year-round, peak high water and spring |
| Targets | Trout |
| Water | Tailwaters, freestones, stained water |
| Rigging | Indicator nymph rig, euro nymph anchor |
The Squirmy Worm is the next-generation San Juan Worm. Instead of static chenille, the body is made from a stretchy silicone material that wiggles with every tiny current change. The motion is what makes it deadly — real worms squirm, and this fly does too. Trout that have seen every fly in the box still eat Squirmies.
Year-round producer with peak effectiveness during spring runoff and after rain events when worms get washed into the water. Also a top choice on tailwaters where high flows from dam releases mimic natural high water. Trout in stained or off-color water find Squirmies easily because the bright color and wiggling motion stand out.
Fish it as the anchor or dropper in a nymph rig under an indicator, or as the point fly in a euro rig. The bead-head version sinks fast in deep or fast water. Sizes 10-12 are standard. Red, pink, and brown are all productive — pink often outfishes the others in clear water.
Glo Bug
| Sizes | 12-16 |
| Season | Fall and spring, peak during spawn |
| Targets | Trout, steelhead, salmon |
| Water | Rivers with spawning fish, tailwaters |
| Rigging | Indicator nymph, dropper below stonefly |
The Glo Bug imitates a fish egg drifting in the current. During spawning seasons, eggs get dislodged from redds and tumble downstream where opportunistic trout, steelhead, and salmon gobble them up. The bright orange or pink yarn body matches the color of real salmon and trout eggs perfectly, and the round profile drifts naturally in any current.
Peak season is fall (when browns and brook trout spawn) and spring (when rainbows and cutthroat spawn). The biggest trout in the river often follow spawners and hold downstream of redds, waiting for eggs to drift down. The Glo Bug fishes anywhere there are spawning fish — tailwaters, freestones, and tributaries to lakes.
Fish it as the dropper in a nymph rig under an indicator, drifted just off the bottom downstream of spawn beds. The bead-head version sinks fast in fast water. Sizes 12-14 in orange, pink, and cheese (pale yellow) are most productive. Match the color to what spawning species are present.
Streamers
Larger subsurface patterns imitating baitfish, leeches, and other prey. Used for aggressive presentations and targeting bigger fish.
Wooly Bugger
| Sizes | 6-12 |
| Season | Year-round |
| Targets | Trout, bass, panfish |
| Water | Rivers, lakes, ponds, creeks — everywhere |
| Rigging | Strip, swing, dead-drift, indicator |
The Wooly Bugger is the most versatile streamer ever tied. The marabou tail pulses with the smallest movement, the chenille body provides bulk, and the palmered hackle creates the impression of legs or fins. It imitates leeches, baitfish, sculpins, crayfish, and damselfly nymphs — depending on how you fish it and what color you choose.
Effective in every season and every water type. Especially deadly in spring when high flows wash leeches and baitfish into the current, and in fall when trout key in on bigger meals before winter. Olive is the most universal color, black for stained water, white for baitfish imitation.
Fish it on a sinking line or with weight, stripped through pools and along banks. Vary the retrieve — slow strips for leeches, fast strips for baitfish, dead-drift through deep water for a wounded prey look. Also produces under an indicator like a big nymph. Sizes 8-10 cover most water.
Micro Leech
| Sizes | 10-14 |
| Season | Year-round, peak spring and fall |
| Targets | Trout, panfish |
| Water | Lakes, ponds, slow rivers, stillwater |
| Rigging | Slow strip, indicator, dropper |
The Micro Leech is a small, sparse leech pattern that fishes the size and profile real leeches have most of the time. Big leeches are rare — small ones are everywhere. The marabou tail and slim body undulate with the slightest current or movement. Especially deadly in stillwater where leeches are a primary food source.
Year-round producer with peak effectiveness in spring and fall on stillwater. Lakes and ponds always hold leech populations and trout cruise looking for them. Also effective in slow rivers and back-eddies. Red is the most consistent producer — it triggers strikes from any predatory fish.
Fish it on stillwater with a slow strip or hand-twist retrieve — leeches don't move fast, so neither should your fly. Also fishes well under an indicator as a static or slowly twitched pattern. In rivers, drift it through slower water or strip it through pools. Sizes 12-14 are most productive.
Egg Sucking Leech
| Sizes | 4-10 |
| Season | Year-round, peak during spawning seasons |
| Targets | Trout, bass |
| Water | Rivers, lakes, stillwater near spawn beds |
| Rigging | Strip, swing, indicator, balanced |
The Egg Sucking Leech is a leech pattern with an orange or pink bead head that imitates a leech with an egg in its mouth — which is exactly what predatory trout key in on during spawning seasons. The combination of dark wiggly body and bright "egg" head is a one-two punch trigger. One of the most effective patterns for big aggressive fish.
Year-round producer but absolutely deadly during spawn periods — fall for browns and brook trout, spring for rainbows and cutthroat. The egg head triggers protective and predatory instincts at the same time. Also a top choice on stillwater where leeches are constant food.
Fish it on a sinking line in rivers with a strip-and-pause retrieve, or under an indicator in stillwater. The balanced version rides horizontally under an indicator like a real swimming leech — that posture is what makes it deadly. Sizes 6-10 cover most water. Black with orange bead is the standard producer.
Balanced Leech
| Sizes | 8-12 |
| Season | Year-round, peak ice-off and fall |
| Targets | Trout |
| Water | Lakes, ponds, reservoirs, stillwater |
| Rigging | Indicator, balanced (horizontal posture) |
The Balanced Leech is the stillwater killer. Tied on a jig hook with the bead extended forward on a pin, the fly hangs perfectly horizontal under an indicator — exactly like a real swimming leech. Most leech patterns hang nose-down when suspended. This one hangs flat. That tiny detail makes it dramatically more effective on lake trout.
Peak effectiveness from ice-off through late spring and again in fall when lake trout cruise the shallows. Leeches are a year-round food source in any productive lake, so the Balanced Leech works any time you can find fish. Black with red or blue accents triggers strikes from any predatory trout.
Fish it under an indicator at the depth where fish are holding — usually 6-12 feet on most productive lakes. Hand-twist the line slowly to give the leech a lifelike pulse. The horizontal posture is the trigger. Sizes 10-12 are standard. Cast, wait, twist, wait. The takes are subtle but the fish are usually big.
Slumpbuster
| Sizes | 4-10 |
| Season | Year-round, peak fall and spring |
| Targets | Trout, bass |
| Water | Rivers, deep pools, undercuts, stillwater |
| Rigging | Strip, swing, sinking line |
The Slumpbuster is John Barr's go-to streamer for when nothing else is working — hence the name. The pine squirrel zonker strip body undulates with every movement, the conehead gets it deep fast, and the bulky profile suggests a sculpin, baitfish, or large nymph. Trout that won't move for a nymph will absolutely chase a Slumpbuster.
Year-round producer but peak season is fall when trout bulk up before winter, and spring when high flows wash baitfish into current seams. Most effective in rivers with deep pools, undercut banks, and structure where big fish hold. Also produces on stillwater stripped near drop-offs.
Fish it on a sinking line or heavy leader with a strip-and-pause retrieve. Cast across the current, let it sink, then strip in 6-12 inch pulls with pauses between. The takes happen on the pause when the fly drops. Natural pine squirrel, olive, and black are the most productive colors. Sizes 6-8 are standard.
Terrestrials
Patterns imitating land-based insects that fall into the water — hoppers, ants, beetles, cicadas. Best from late spring through fall.
Black Ant
| Sizes | 14-20 |
| Season | Late spring through early fall |
| Targets | Trout, panfish |
| Water | Mountain streams, spring creeks, shaded water |
| Rigging | Single dry, dry-dropper |
The Black Ant is the most underrated terrestrial in fly fishing. Ants get blown onto the water constantly all summer long, especially under overhanging trees and along undercut banks. The distinct two-bump silhouette is unmistakable from below, and trout recognize ants as easy protein. Simple, classic, and deadly.
Peak season is late spring through early fall when ants are active. Especially deadly during hot summer afternoons when other hatches die down and trout are looking for opportunistic meals. Wind events that blow bugs into the water — especially on shaded tree-lined streams — turn an ant pattern into a fish-catcher.
Fish it as a single dry tight to banks, under overhanging branches, and along shaded edges. Sizes 16-18 are most productive. Light tippet (5X) and accurate casts matter — drop it within inches of the bank or structure where ants would naturally fall.
Foam Beetle
| Sizes | 12-16 |
| Season | Summer through early fall |
| Targets | Trout, panfish, bass |
| Water | Streams, rivers, lakes near vegetation |
| Rigging | Single dry, dry-dropper anchor |
The Foam Beetle is a high-floating terrestrial pattern that imitates the various beetles that fall onto the water all summer. The foam body floats forever, the black profile shows up clearly from below, and the indicator post on top makes it easy to track. Beetles are protein-rich and trout never pass them up when they hit the water.
Best from June through early October when beetles are active. Especially productive on hot windy afternoons when beetles get blown off vegetation and crash-land on the water. Fishes well on mountain streams, spring creeks, and even alpine lakes where terrestrials make up a huge portion of the summer diet.
Fish it as a single dry along banks and under vegetation, or as the floating anchor in a dry-dropper rig. The foam supports almost any nymph below. Sizes 14-16 are standard. Drop it close to structure and let it sit — beetles don't move much when they hit the water.
Cicada
| Sizes | 6-10 |
| Season | Mid-summer, cicada emergence years |
| Targets | Trout, bass, carp |
| Water | Rivers and lakes near wooded banks |
| Rigging | Single dry on heavy tippet |
The Foam Cicada is the biggest summer terrestrial in the box. Cicadas hatch from the ground in massive emergences — sometimes every year, sometimes every 13-17 years depending on the species — and when they hit the water, trout and bass eat them with abandon. The foam body floats high, the rubber legs trigger reaction strikes, and the bulk imitates the real thing perfectly.
Peak season is mid-summer when cicadas emerge and start flying. Major cicada years (when broods emerge) turn entire river systems into cicada feeding frenzies for 4-6 weeks. Even in non-emergence years, dog-day cicadas trickle into the water and trout key in on them. Western rivers like the Green and the Snake see legendary cicada fishing.
Fish it as a single dry on stout tippet (3X-4X) because the fish that eat cicadas are usually big. Cast tight to banks and under overhanging branches where cicadas crash-land. Sizes 8-10 are standard. The takes are violent — let fish turn down with the fly before setting the hook.
Chubby Chernobyl
| Sizes | 6-12 |
| Season | Late spring through early fall |
| Targets | Trout, bass |
| Water | Western rivers, freestones, pocket water |
| Rigging | Single dry, dry-dropper anchor |
The Chubby Chernobyl is the most popular western attractor dry fly. Big foam body, bright yellow or pink indicator wing, rubber legs, and bulk that suggests stoneflies, hoppers, salmonflies, or cicadas — without being too specific to any of them. It floats forever, casts huge nymphs below it, and trout absolutely demolish it when conditions are right.
Peak season is late spring through early fall on western freestones, with peak effectiveness during stonefly and hopper seasons. The big silhouette gets eaten as a salmonfly in June, a hopper in August, and a generic large food source any other time. Especially deadly in pocket water and fast freestones.
Fish it as a single dry along banks and through pocket water, or as the floating anchor in a dry-dropper rig — it'll support a tungsten-bead nymph 3-4 feet below without sinking. Stout tippet (3X-4X) because the fish that eat Chubbys are usually big. Sizes 8-12 cover most situations. Royal, tan, and purple are all productive colors.
Foam Hopper
| Sizes | 8-12 |
| Season | July through September |
| Targets | Trout, bass |
| Water | Rivers and creeks with grassy banks |
| Rigging | Single dry, dry-dropper, kicked retrieves |
The Foam Hopper is the defining summer terrestrial. Foam body for unsinkable floatation, rubber legs that kick on every twitch, and a profile that screams "grasshopper" from any angle. Hoppers hit the water all summer and trout key in on them — sometimes refusing everything else when hopper fishing is on.
Peak season is July through September, especially on rivers and creeks bordered by grassy meadows and hay fields. Hot windy afternoons are prime time — wind blows hoppers off the grass and into the water, and trout line up against the banks waiting. Late summer hopper fishing can be some of the best dry fly fishing of the year.
Fish it as a single dry slammed tight to grassy banks, twitched and kicked to imitate a struggling hopper. Also a top dry-dropper anchor for hopper-dropper rigs with a beadhead nymph below. Sizes 8-12. Don't be afraid to make noise — a hopper hitting the water makes a splash, and trout key in on that sound.
Stillwater
Patterns built for lakes, ponds, and reservoirs — plus a few patterns that fish well in both moving and still water.
San Juan Worm
| Sizes | 10-14 |
| Season | Year-round, peak high water and spring |
| Targets | Trout |
| Water | Tailwaters, freestones, stained water, stillwater |
| Rigging | Indicator nymph rig, euro nymph |
The San Juan Worm is one of the simplest and most polarizing flies in fly fishing — purists hate it, but it catches more big trout than most "proper" patterns ever will. The pattern imitates aquatic worms and earthworms that get washed into the water during high flows. Red chenille on a hook with a bead. That's it. And trout demolish it.
Year-round producer but especially deadly during spring runoff and after rain events when worms get washed into rivers. Also a top choice on tailwaters where consistent flows keep worm populations high. Effective in stillwater too — lake trout cruise the shallows looking for anything that wiggles, and a San Juan Worm under an indicator fools them.
Fish it as the anchor or dropper in a nymph rig under an indicator, or as a euro nymph. The bead-head version gets it deep fast. Sizes 10-12 are standard. Red is the workhorse color, but pink and brown also produce. Trail it behind a heavier nymph in fast water.
Scud
| Sizes | 14-18 |
| Season | Year-round |
| Targets | Trout |
| Water | Tailwaters, spring creeks, lakes, weedy water |
| Rigging | Indicator, dropper, euro nymph |
The Scud imitates freshwater shrimp — small crustaceans that live in massive populations in tailwaters, spring creeks, and weedy stillwater. Trout that live in scud-rich water become absolute scud junkies, and the pink, orange, or gray scud body matches the natural perfectly. The curved hook profile completes the look.
Year-round producer in any water that holds scuds — tailwaters and spring creeks are the obvious choices, but productive lakes also hold massive scud populations. Effective in any season because scuds don't hatch; they're available 365 days a year. Trout in scud water often have orange bellies from eating so many.
Fish it deep under an indicator or as the anchor in a euro rig. Pink and orange are the most productive colors — scuds turn bright orange when they die, and trout key in on that color. Gray and olive for live scud imitation. Sizes 14-16 are standard. Drift it slowly along weed beds and gravel bottoms.
Damsel Fly Nymph
| Sizes | 10-14 |
| Season | Late spring through mid-summer |
| Targets | Trout, bass, panfish |
| Water | Lakes, ponds, weedy stillwater, slow rivers |
| Rigging | Slow strip, indicator, hand-twist retrieve |
The Damsel Nymph imitates the immature stage of damselflies — slim olive nymphs that swim through weed beds in stillwater. As damsels prepare to hatch in late spring and summer, they migrate from deep water toward shore to crawl out and emerge. Trout intercept them during this migration and key in hard. The pattern's olive marabou tail pulses with every strip.
Peak season is late spring through mid-summer when damselfly migrations are happening. Most productive on lakes, ponds, and reservoirs with weedy shallows — that's where damsels live and where they migrate. Also effective in slow-moving rivers with weed beds. The migration usually peaks in the morning and again in late afternoon.
Fish it on a slow strip retrieve across weed bed flats — damsel nymphs swim with a slow undulating motion, so don't strip too fast. Also fishes well under an indicator with hand-twist retrieves. Sizes 10-12 are standard. Olive is the workhorse color. Cast parallel to weed beds and retrieve toward shore to mimic the migration.
Chironomid
| Sizes | 12-18 |
| Season | Year-round, peak ice-off through summer |
| Targets | Trout |
| Water | Lakes, ponds, reservoirs, stillwater |
| Rigging | Indicator, static or hand-twist retrieve |
The Chironomid is the king of stillwater flies. Chironomids are aquatic midge larvae that live in massive numbers in any productive lake — and the pupal stage, when they ascend to hatch, is when trout absolutely demolish them. Trout cruise lakes specifically looking for chironomid pupae suspended in the water column. Match the size and color and you'll outfish almost anything.
Year-round producer on stillwater but peak season is ice-off through mid-summer when chironomid hatches dominate lake fishing. Productive lakes can have dozens of chironomid species emerging at different times — the key is identifying which color and size is hatching that day. Black with red is a workhorse color, ice cream cone variants (white bead, dark body) produce all season.
Fish it under an indicator at the exact depth where fish are cruising — usually 8-15 feet on most productive lakes. The fly should hang nearly motionless with only the slightest hand-twist retrieve to give it a subtle pulse. Sizes 12-16 are standard. Patience matters — chironomids fish slow.
