Most of us will start to answer this question with the standard answer - it depends - but lets be honest, that a cop out. Regardless of water conditions, temps, and flow rate we all have those one or two flies that our saving grace. They are our crutch, the flies we retreat to when everything else has failed to produce. They are the flies we never leave home without and if we ever did there is bound to be and extra pinned to the headliner of our truck. They are the hail marry pass to save the day and we all have a special connection to them.
So I ask you, What is your favorite fly? What is the fly you think about when you sit down at the tying vise and go through the flies you lost last time out on the river?
19 comments:
Joel
I must confess I tend to lend more to the dry fly than any other pattern in my fly box. There is just something about the excitement of seeing an awesome take on top; so with that said I would have to go with my Parachute Adam in 14 and 16 size. I am never on a stream without this fly. Really impressed with the streamer pattern!!
Bill,
Who doesn't love watching the take off the top! Great choice ! Thanks for the kudos on the streamer but I can't take credit. I got it from the old interweb a long time ago and its been on my computer ever since. I think it was the orvis site but I'm not sure. I should gave credit but I got wrapped up in the post. The drawing on top is all me though.
I have to say there are two favorite flies. If I'm on a stream, it's the stimulator in green, orange, and yellow. Gets a lot of top water action. If I'm on a lake, with out a doubt the Tungsten Bead Head Thin Mint. Caught more trout (and a Crappie or two) on that streamer than any other.
I'm partial to pheasant tails and other underwater bugs. I just like the way the PT looks.
I am a big fan of hoppers in the summer. I love smashing em near the bank to see a trout explode on one!
Bead head soft hackle.
A black Zebra Midge with a copper bead head and wire rib size 16 or 18... I like Kevin's choice too.
You'd probably think I'd say sakasa kebari, but since dry fly fishing is so much fun, I'll go with Elk Hair Caddis, size 16.
I love the dry fly.
And my favorite is the "Ausable Bomber"
I go for the dries too. With no room on my small, tight home streams for a backcast I'd have to go with the "mini-hopper I first saw on arizona wanderings a few years ago. It's magic around here! and an easy tie
http://azwanderings.files.wordpress.com/2010/10/red-mini.jpg
Small muddlers. I love the way trout hammer them.
Hey Joel,
Without a doubt it has to be one of my own creation and probably my signature fly the "lucky bastard" how it got its name is a funny story.
Even though, like most others, I enjoy the take of a surface hitting fish, still my favorite pattern to fish is the Soft Hackle. Interesting to read what others have commented here.
Depends, of course, on the water being fished and the species. On my home water, a spring creek, my go-to fly is the "white fly," a parachute tied with a white thread body, white Antron post, and the lightest cream hackle I can find. Depending on the season, I fish it in sizes #16 to as small as #26. In warm weather, a #14 black deer hair beetle is hard to beat.
Mark - The thin mint is a great choice. Great crawfish imitator.
Howard - You cant beat the PT
FFBH - I love what you did with the header and the button. Hoppers are fantastic of summer streams. great choise.
Kevin & Jay - all of which are in my box as well.
Mike - Caddis is a dry I never leave home without. I have them in all sizes and color. right on!
Brk Trt - I knew youd say that after years following your blog :-)
Hawbird - thanks for the link. Great blog and fantastic flies.
RKM - Always a fine choice
Lance - I am gong to need to get one of those from you this coming May up in the smokies.
Rainbow Chaser - Right on and now you know why I asked the question. If I know what all the other guys trust then I can better prep my own fly box.
David - I am going to have to add this one. Thanks
Tenkara Amb - I have never given the white flies a real chance. I might have to alter my thoughts on this though. I am completely with you on the deer beetle. Check out my post from a few weeks back. The black beetle is always in the box.
My absolute favorite is a #14 Purple Haze. Love fishing with dries. Runner up is a Royal Wulff.
Been a while since I checked in...some great responses. My saving grace is a bead head pheasant tail soft hackle trailed off an Ausable bomber - that way I double my chances !!!
The Hornberg is my favorite, with the Picket Pin a very close second.
Also, I'll be in touch this spring about purchasing one of your Apache Trout prints.
Many Thanks,
John
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