A dozen top flies for PA trout streams

[Steeltrap]

Did a "search" of best fly's for Pennsylvania streams and this thread "floated" to the top.

Great advice and wonderful resource!!

 

[ColdBore]

PennKev wrote:

Too many guys are so afraid of getting skunked that they won't cut off a fly that catches them 6 fish in order to tie one on that will get them 12. Same goes for switching overall techniques.

Heck, I catch me six fish, and I'm using that fly all season!! :-D

 

[ColdBore]

And for those critiquing the list as "not a dozen", or "it's actually 68 flies", or whatever, just substitute the word *pattern* for *fly*.

It is a list of a dozen patterns. The size and color choices within are up to the individual.

 

[afishinado]

ColdBore wrote:
And for those critiquing the list as "not a dozen", or "it's actually 68 flies", or whatever, just substitute the word *pattern* for *fly*.

It is a list of a dozen patterns. The size and color choices within are up to the individual.

^ So true.

A dozen flies all in size 12 will catch fish, but it's not be the best choice to optimize your catch.

I suggest a beginner mix it up with sizes as well as darker shade and lighter shade flies plus a few bright attractor flies.

 

[Tigereye]

Check this list and the" favorite wet fly" and " favorite dry fly" thread and you will see alot of commonality. Take into consideration the number of responses and the myriad of streams fished, it's amazing the same flies produce about anywhere.

 

[Tups]

This time of year, March and April, a black wet fly is very effective. Size 14, dark colored thread. Black squirrel dubbing. Grey mottled mallard flank for wing and tail.

 

[goose54cdd]

I'd say that list will give anyone a great start.
I would include a simple Walt's Worm to that list, although I realize there are many different confidence flies. I suggest this because it works all year around ands it's very easy to tie. I like size 10s and 12s on a 2x hook, but it can be tied on any hook and size that works for you.

 

[TheBlackSheep]

(notice I didn't say the dozen top flies...but if I had to select 12 flies, these would be in my box)

After one acquires an 81/2 or 9’ 5 wt rod with matching 5wt floating line and a 71/2’ 3x tapered leader with a spool of 4x and 5x tippet, one can now look at flies.

Sinking flies:

Wooly Bugger – Size 8 in dark olive w/ a black tail is my go-to. Having some black or white ones and a few a little smaller or bigger would be ideal. Fish anytime / anywhere – drift and/or strip.

Hares Ear Nymph – size 10 – 16 w/ and w/o beads. Natural is my favorite, but a few in olive or black would round it out. Fish anytime / anywhere – dead drift

Pheasant Tail Nymph – Size 12 – 16 w/ and w/o beads. Fish anytime / anywhere – dead drift

Green Weenie – Size 12. Fish anytime / anywhere – dead drift

San Juan Worm – Size 12. Fish anytime / anywhere – dead drift

Soft Hackle – Size 12 – 16. Pheasant tail, Partridge and Orange, Partridge and yellow, peacock to name a few popular ones. Dead drift, swing, hang or strip. All will catch fish.


Floating flies:

Blue Wing Olive – Size 14 – 18 (early and late season mayfly hatches)

Adams – Size 10 – 18 (for dark mayflies)

Sulphur – Size 10 – 18 (mid-season light-colored mayfly hatches)

Beetle and/or Ant – Size 14 – 18 (Spring - late summer)

Griffiths Gnat - Size 18 - 22 ( For midges - very small insects - all year round)

Elk Hair Caddis – Size 10 – 18 in Tan, Black and Green for caddis hatches and/or stonefly hatches all season.

Note: Mayflies have an upright wing and look like sailboats on the water.

Caddis have wings shaped like a tent over their body.

Stoneflies have wings that fold flat over their bodies.

Awesome post, following.

 

[KELORGO]

I’d add a tan Walt’s Worm with a pink bead. Simple and fast to tie, and imitates many bugs. I like Hareline pink beads because they fluoresce.

 

[jifigz]

Afishinado, after 13 years, is your list of 12 the same, or are there other flies you would rather have now?

Confidence flies no doubt change over time

 

[Wild_Trouter]

My top 2 that I would not be without under any circumstances:

Mr. Rapidan #14

 

[afishinado]

Afishinado, after 13 years, is your list of 12 the same, or are there other flies you would rather have now?

Confidence flies no doubt change over time

Hey Jigsy, I reread and copied my OP below and I really wouldn't change too much. Maybe replace the Elk Hair Caddis with a CDC and Elk, but other than that, the 12 patterns mentioned below in different sizes should cover 90% of my fishing.

(notice I didn't say THE dozen top flies...but if I had to select 12 flies, these would be in my box)

After one acquires an 81/2 or 9’ 5 wt rod with matching 5wt floating line and a 71/2’ 3x tapered leader with a spool of 4x and 5x tippet, one can now look at flies.

Sinking flies:

Wooly Bugger – Size 8 in dark olive w/ a black tail is my go-to. Having some black or white ones and a few a little smaller or bigger would be ideal. Fish anytime / anywhere – drift and/or strip.

Hares Ear Nymph – size 10 – 16 w/ and w/o beads. Natural is my favorite, but a few in olive or black would round it out. Fish anytime / anywhere – dead drift

Pheasant Tail Nymph – Size 12 – 16 w/ and w/o beads. Fish anytime / anywhere – dead drift

Green Weenie – Size 12. Fish anytime / anywhere – dead drift

San Juan Worm – Size 12. Fish anytime / anywhere – dead drift

Soft Hackle – Size 12 – 16. Pheasant tail, Partridge and Orange, Partridge and yellow, peacock to name a few popular ones. Dead drift, swing, hang or strip. All will catch fish.


Floating flies:

Blue Wing Olive – Size 14 – 18 (early and late season mayfly hatches)

Adams – Size 10 – 18 (for dark mayflies)

Sulphur – Size 10 – 18 (mid-season light-colored mayfly hatches)

Beetle and/or Ant – Size 14 – 18 (Spring - late summer)

Griffiths Gnat - Size 18 - 22 ( For midges - very small insects - all year round)

Elk Hair Caddis – Size 10 – 18 in Tan, Black and Green for caddis hatches and/or stonefly hatches all season.

Note: Mayflies have an upright wing and look like sailboats on the water.

Caddis have wings shaped like a tent over their body.

Stoneflies have wings that fold flat over their bodies.

 

[jifigz]

Hey Jigsy, I reread and copied my OP below and I really wouldn't change too much. Maybe replace the Elk Hair Caddis with a CDC and Elk, but other than that, the 12 patterns mentioned below in different sizes should cover 90% of my fishing.

(notice I didn't say THE dozen top flies...but if I had to select 12 flies, these would be in my box)

After one acquires an 81/2 or 9’ 5 wt rod with matching 5wt floating line and a 71/2’ 3x tapered leader with a spool of 4x and 5x tippet, one can now look at flies.

Sinking flies:

Wooly Bugger – Size 8 in dark olive w/ a black tail is my go-to. Having some black or white ones and a few a little smaller or bigger would be ideal. Fish anytime / anywhere – drift and/or strip.

Hares Ear Nymph – size 10 – 16 w/ and w/o beads. Natural is my favorite, but a few in olive or black would round it out. Fish anytime / anywhere – dead drift

Pheasant Tail Nymph – Size 12 – 16 w/ and w/o beads. Fish anytime / anywhere – dead drift

Green Weenie – Size 12. Fish anytime / anywhere – dead drift

San Juan Worm – Size 12. Fish anytime / anywhere – dead drift

Soft Hackle – Size 12 – 16. Pheasant tail, Partridge and Orange, Partridge and yellow, peacock to name a few popular ones. Dead drift, swing, hang or strip. All will catch fish.


Floating flies:

Blue Wing Olive – Size 14 – 18 (early and late season mayfly hatches)

Adams – Size 10 – 18 (for dark mayflies)

Sulphur – Size 10 – 18 (mid-season light-colored mayfly hatches)

Beetle and/or Ant – Size 14 – 18 (Spring - late summer)

Griffiths Gnat - Size 18 - 22 ( For midges - very small insects - all year round)

Elk Hair Caddis – Size 10 – 18 in Tan, Black and Green for caddis hatches and/or stonefly hatches all season.

Note: Mayflies have an upright wing and look like sailboats on the water.

Caddis have wings shaped like a tent over their body.

Stoneflies have wings that fold flat over their bodies.

I agree that I don't fish an elk hair caddis as much as I used to, but I tend towards the X-Caddis more these days. I am going to fish an elk hair more this year, though. I am going to make a point of it.