Old tyer/fisher. Need advice

[VanReed]

Hey there, I'm old/new to the game. I flyfished the Tully many years ago, like 10-15 yrs ago, as well as the salmon river up in pulaski ny.

Used to try tying my own flys but kids life and work out an end to all that.

My neighbor and I got to talking and the bug is back.

So here I am going to try, notice I said try, tying and wetting a line again.

Going to stop in at TCO for some materials to start tying again, but what flys do you wonderful people recommend I start tying again for use in the Tully and maybe penns creek?

Want to start back in to tying on easy flys but useful ones.

Yes I'm going to talk to TCO for advice but a few dozen more opinions never hurt.

Tanks!!!

 

[albatross]

Start simple with maybe eggs and worms. Move on to nymphs next and see how it goes from there. My 2 cents.

 

[VanReed]

Thanks Yeah I was already going to do eggs, San Juan and maybe mop. Rainbow warrior fans out there?

 

[FollowTheBlueLines]

One simple and effective fly is a zebra midge. Just a hook, thread, wire and a bead. There are always midges tumbling around in our waters no matter the time of the year.

 

[Tigereye]

Pretty hard to beat a Pheasant Tail or hares ear. Beaded or plain.
Frenchie
Peacock perdigon


All simple very productive patterns. Keep em small.

 

[GoldenRfly]

Foam Beetles are easy to tie and catch fish the rest of the summer. A lot of people tie Foam Ant Patterns similar to beetle patterns. Also agree with Zebra Midges.

Whatever you decide - definitely look them up on YouTube; that’s my best friend when tying new flies.

 

[Tigereye]

I should also mention a Walts Worm and the Sexy Version. Great pattern, ez to tie

 

[JeffK]

Good suggestions. I like a simple worm that is micro chenille tied to the top of the hook (not in the middle of the chenille like you see most often) and dangling back 1" to 3". Usually use a bead head for weight.

A deadly combo for nymph fishing is an egg or worm as an attractor followed by something small and natural. A small PT or Zebra midge can fill the bill most of the time, but you can go a little trickier by using a small BWO nymph or something that is currently common or about to hatch. The theory is the trout will come and check out the big juicy pattern. If they are not fooled by that they may go for the more subtle natural trailer. Some days they hit the egg/worm all day, others they ignore the attractor and go for the small offering. However, they are likely to be on one or the other. In clear water the attractor may act as an indicator if you can follow its drift. Use the visible nymph to see that your drift is OK and when it moves, set the hook.

Simple small thread nymphs are easy and effective. Silver bead, hackle tail, olive or brown thread body with wire rib. Easy to get a nice slender body with just thread. Simple PTs are just PT tail, PT body with copper rib. These are the kind of flies you see guides use a lot. May not need a bead if the attractor nymph has enough weight to take them where they need to go. Tie them small like 18 - 22 and they will take picky fish. Fur or peacock herl thoraxs, hackle legs, and wingcases can make nymphs look better to the tier, but the fish seem to like the simple ones just as well.

 

[sixfootfenwick]

Tie up a bunch of size 12 & 10 & 8 wolly buggers in black, brown, olive and white.
Now you have a large nymph or a streamer. The only wrong way to fish it is when it isn't in the water.

 

[JimNovo]

Zebra midges
Hares Ears
Pheasant Tails
Wooly Buggers

Those will cover some bigger flies (12-14) but also get you some smaller ones (16-18).
A great place to start!

 

[poopdeck]

There is nothing difficult about fly tying. If you can tie one nymph pattern you will be able to tie them all. Same goes for dry flies. You will always catch trout on a hares ear or a PT nymph, both of which are super simple, super effective, time honored and battle tested. Jump right in, don’t worry, you will be tying perfectly fine flies in a matter of a few attempts.

 

[vern]

Not sure what kind of fishing you're doing - dry, three wets, nymph, indicator and jig-nymph - but if rejoining the sport be aware that that there've been some significant changes.
A major change has been that natural fibers and materials are not used much compared to 20 years ago.
Many of today's flies have some connection with artificial materials rather than natural materials.

But for now, for getting back into the swing of things if it was this way, I would suggest the following for fly box regulars for some dry fly casting:

Adams sizes 18 through 14.
Black deer hair beetles, size 14 to 10.
Light Cahill size 14 through 12 maybe 10.
Black deer hair cricket size 14 to 8.
(Can modify cricket with colored body and variations for resembling caddis.)
Royal Wulff size 18 through 10.

They are good ties and not too complicated for preparing materials for multiple ties. Maybe not too much trouble to prep for 4 to 6 flies tied during an hour session.

 

[AFISHN]

This seemed the right place to post my question.
I haven't fished wet flys in35 years and don't tie. What would be the best assortment and sizes to order on line to stock a dedicated wet fly box. I primarily fish the Little J, Spring Creek,Main Stem of DE River, and the Lehigh.Thank you.

 

[Tigereye]

For Lehigh: early season til about mid May Coachman wet #12, mid may thru early June March Brown #12, Grouse and green #16, partride and yellow #14 and #16, June claret and black #12, and partridge and yellow #16 or light Cahill #14 and #16.

 

[Trapshooter]

Pheasant Tail, Hares ear, Zebra midges.

 

[dryflyguy]

I'll second beetles - and any other terrestrial really
This is prime season for them right now, and right on through until late fall
And they're easy to tie

 

[Chotty]

Walts worm or hares ear
Pheasant tail
Buggers
Greenie weenie
Glo bug

I would recommend different colors and sizes. It’s always helpful to watch a few YouTube videos to know what exactly to get from the fly shop.