If you are new to fly fishing, remember that fly fishing flies are artificial patterns used in this style of fishing, and it commonly resembles an insect or larva. Compared to traditional bait used in conventional fishing, the fly is very light and cast using the fly line's weight. The fly should replicate an insect's natural behavior to be successful.
THE BEST FLIES FOR FLY FISHING
WHAT IS THE BEST FLY FOR FLY FISHING?
Fly fishing flies are meant to replicate both the immature and adult phases of insects and baitfish, leeches, and worms to attract fish to the fly. As there are thousands of insect species to choose from, it should come as no surprise that the diets of local fish may vary slightly based on the aquatic and terrestrial insect populations that are accessible in the area where they live.
As a general rule, the best fly for fly fishing is the one that closely matches the natural diet of the species that you are fly fishing for at that time. This could be one that matches the specific insect, size, color, or shape. It also depends on the style of fly fishing you are doing. If you are nymphing versus fly fishing, the pattern will be different because of the style of fly fishing.
WHAT SIZE FLY SHOULD I USE FOR TROUT?
Trout flies typically come in hook sizes ranging from large streamers in hook sizes 2 to 8 to micro nymphs 22 or smaller. Finding the perfect size fly depends on what pattern you are purchasing and how you are fly fishing.
Streamers typically are more prominent as they mimic small baitfish, while nymphs and emerges are relatively small as they imitate small insects' adolescent stages.
As a general rule, the fly pattern should match the hatch or bait prevalent in the watershed that you are fly fishing. Follow a seasonal hatch chart for your area to find the most dominant species and then match the size of the pattern to that species.
If you are fly fishing in December and the most prevalent insect is midges, focus on a size 22 midge pattern for success.
On the reverse side of that conversation, if you are fly fishing for spawning browns in October and fly fishing streamers, match your streamer size to the baitfish in that fishery.
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Still curios? Click here to find out What Is the Best Size Fly For Fly Fishing
WHAT FLIES DOES RAINBOW TROUT LIKE?
Fishing for rainbow trout on a fly can be a challenging endeavor. Rainbow trout are, without a doubt, one of the most aggressive combatants in the trout family.
No list of the top trout fishing flies would be complete without including the Parachute Adams dry fly. Rainbow trout are particularly fond of these tiny insects.
Many different aquatic species, such as mayflies and caddisflies, are impersonated by these insects. They are particularly effective during the hatching season in the spring and throughout the autumn fall.
Trout are coming to the surface of the water in search of insects, and they may mistake your fly for a meal if it is appropriately presented.
The next fly on the list is another dry fly, but it is an Elk Hair Caddis this time. The Elk Hair Caddis, which looks very similar to the parachute Adams, has been a favorite fly in anglers' boxes for many years.
It is designed to replicate stoneflies and caddisflies, which are both popular rainbow trout food sources. When the water is choppy and tumbling, this technique performs exceptionally well, and this is because it makes the elk hair caddis appear to be the most realistic representation of its actual diet.
The Hare's Ear Nymph has been a rainbow trout assassin for over 100 years and is a common sight in many trout fishermen's fly boxes. The Pheasant Tail Nymph is one of the few flies in the fly fishing world that has been around for as long as it has.
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Want more Flies? Click here to find out Top 5 Flies to Catch Rainbow Trout
WHAT ARE THE BEST FLIES FOR BROWN TROUT?
Brown Trout are generally looking for flies that are imitative of the natural food sources in their environment. This could be a Blue Winged Olive, Caddis, or shrimp that looks similar to the natural food sources in the water, i.e., they are imitative or exact imitative of the bugs in the water. Imitative flies have a similar appearance to the natural fly or invertebrates that have been discovered.
It is generally accepted that imitative must be fished in the same manner as their natural counterparts. For example, fishing a dry fly such as a Blue Winged Olive cannot be pulled through the current by the fly leader, as mayflies typically do not skate across the water.
Another option is to use suggestive flies. These may be flies such as copper john or prince nymph. They represent a few different species and act more as an attractor fly.
Brown Trout will also prey on little fish up to 12 inches in length, so streamers that match the natural baitfish in the area are also a very successful technique.
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Click here to explore our 9 Best Fly Fishing flies for Brown Trout