The Olive Birds Nest is a popular pattern as a searching attractor or in a more impressionistic effort as a mayfly nymph, or caddis larvae. The Olive Birds Nest does very well in imitating stillwater Callibaetis nymphs, and the larval stage of the Rhyacophila caddis that are so prevalent in our rivers and streams. Again this is a versatile fly that would by a compliment to your collection.
Big fishing flies tend to move big fish, and this Red Double Humpy attractor fly pattern will make the largest of trout seem stupid. This big trout fly floats well, and is visible even in the choppiest of rivers. Of all trout fly fishing situations perhaps none is as mindlessly enjoyable as hitting banks and pockets with big double bugs for fish with all senses of reason turned off. The double humpy definitely rounds out the Humpy family of flies.
This baby is solid gold! Or at least the fish act like it is. The Gold Lightning Bug is a very visible variation of the original shiny nymph that broke the mold. The Gold Lightning Bug works anytime a visible nymph is called for, but seem to especially excel when fished deep on bright sunny days.
The Wooly Bugger is perhaps the most versatile fly in fly fishing. It can imitate or at least suggest any number of trout foods. Every angler should dedicate one or multiple fly boxes to the several colors and variations of this fly. The unweighted version is especially useful in stillwater situations where sinking lines are used and the bead head varieties can be used where a weighted fly is called for.
Red is a great and proven color for tempting predatory fish by giving the impression of a bleeding prey item. The Redhead Red Bass Popper and pike fly is also very colorful and creates a commotion that will draw fish up from deep. Try casting this fly into gaps in cover and twitching it a few times to catch a fish's interest.
The Lawson Cripple Pale Morning Dun Fly pattern imitates a emerging or crippled mayfly dun. Mayflies are vulnerable during this stage of the hatch and fish find this pattern irresistable. This fly floats high on the water, is easy to see and is very durrable. Every angler should have this fly in their mix of Pale Morning Dun patterns.
The Black Body/White Rubber Legged Copper John is a super effective pattern that has taken the fly fishing world by storm. This fly sinks quickly and is a great choice for deep nymphing or for a dropper off of your favorite attractor dry fly. Fish seem unable to resist the combination of color, flash, and realistic shape this fly offers. The addition of rubber legs creates added movement which makes this fly hugely successful. Most guides and serious anglers never enter the river without having several variations of this productive pattern.
With it's pearly body for subtle flash, and a rabbit fur wing for action, the Bonefish Scampi is simplicity itself - this fly has all of the things we look for in a productive bonefish pattern. Having bonefish flies in a variety of weights helps anglers cover all water conditions, and this fly is tied in two versions - one with lead eyes (heavier weight) or bead chain eyes (lighter weight) to help anglers keep the fly right in the strike zone. This fly in the Lead Eye is also a nice imitation of a Mole Crab for surf perch, croakers, flounders, etc.
The Bead Head Ginger Wooly Bugger is one of the newer colors in this versatile fly pattern. The bead head gives the fly life in the water and helps get the fly down when needed. This color can imitate minnows, sculpin, craneflies, damselflies and a number of different food items fish feed on. This has quickly become one of the top selling bugger colors and every angler should dedicate space in their box for this productive variation.
The basis for the Peacock Bead Head Brassie was found years ago some wise or lucky flyfisher that discovered a little wire wrapped around a hook would catch fish. The addition of a buggy looking head has made this one of the most successful nymphs ever. The brassie is a useful attractor or midge larva in most places where trout and grayling are found.
The Green Disco Midge takes flash to new levels. This midge larva pattern is highly visible and highly effective for aggresive trout in waters where midges make up a large part of their diet. It is one of the best midge patterns in slightly dirty water or tailwaters with a lot of drifting debris.
The Steelhead Orange Egg Fly is a great roe pattern for waters that have spawning fish. This is perhaps the top producing egg color and is very effective when the fish are dropping lots of eggs. Almost every freshwater fish will eat this pattern including Steelhead and Salmon. Whether you are fishing in famous Steelhead run, your local river or even the gravel point on the nearby lake, the fish have learned that these glowing orbs are an tasty meal. Fish that are not spawning will hold in areas near the spawning fish and sometimes even travel with migrating fish for the opportunity to eat their misplaced eggs.
The Peacock Trude is a classic fly fishing fly that won't go out of style. The down wing provides fish with a different silhouette than most attractor flies and can work when stoneflies and caddis are about on the trout stream. Fly fishermen from Alaska to Argentina have found Trudes to work when other trout flies seem to be ignored by fish.
The Mahogany Dun Comparadun provides a great mix of lifelike silhouette, visibility, and buoyancy. Many fly fishing experts go straight to comparaduns when a mayfly hatch brings up actively rising trout. This fly pattern floats in all but the fastest and roughest stream currents and trout seem to prefer this fly to many of the traditional hackled patterns. Fly fishers around the world should consider this a staple fly where Mahogany mayflies are present.
The White Swimming Frog is one of the most versatile and realistic frog patterns available. This fly works excellent on the surface as a frog or wounded baitfish. When the fish are not willing to eat it on the surface, it will dive and swim as a streamer when stripped. The unique shape of the Swimming Frog is trimmed from spun deer hair. This combination creates a swimming action that no other fly can duplicate. It has a weedguard which will allow you to fish it in any condition. The colors will imitate frogs or baitfish and will definitely trigger aggressive takes. The Swimming frog is very effective on any Bass species as well as Pike and Musky and works on nearly any predatory gamefish.
The Olive Flashback Caddis Pupa is a Caddis pupal pattern designed to imitate the deep pupal stage of the caddis, with an impressionistic representation of the translucent air sac surrounding the insects body. The olive shade best represents the Rhyacophila Caddis species found most commonly in most Western waters. As Gary LaFontaine noted in his book Caddis Flies having a good deep pupal pattern to fish as along the bottom just before an evening caddis hatch can be the key to moving fish before they transition to the hatching insect. The Olive Flashback Caddis Pupa would be just such a pattern to have in your Caddis fly assortment.
The Light Olive Silver Lead Eye Zonker is a very effective minnow fly for clear streams rivers and lakes that hold large predatory trout, bass, or other species that prey on minnows. Like all Zonker patterns, the bunny strip on this fly gives it an amazing pulsating action as it swims that seems to just drive big fish wild.
The Wooly Bugger is perhaps the most versatile fly in fly fishing. It can imitate or at least suggest any number of trout foods. Every angler should dedicate one or multiple fly boxes to the several colors and variations of this fly. The unweighted version is especially useful in stillwater situations where sinking lines are used and the bead head varieties can be used where a weighted fly is called for.
Often the best caddis fishing is in very low light. The Grey Headlight Caddis fly features a calf body post that makes it very visible and a CDC under wing that keeps it riding high in the water. In tan, gray or green, this caddis fly is a must-have for last light.
What's a Zoo Cougar? Well it's probably one of 3 things: a big cat in a cage, a feisty aging cat that hunts younger males, or a killer streamer fly. Let's just say we like the last option the best. The Zoo Cougar Yellow is ferocious on big browns and other big trout, as well as bass, pike, muskies, and many other aggressive species. It's large yellow spun hair head makes a lot of noise as it pushes water aside with each strip and the flowing mottled body lends just the right look as it swims along tempting big fish to strike.
A large profile leech pattern, this Red Cone Head Salmon Hook Bunny Leech will get attention from a distance. Cross cut and Zonker style rabbit strips give this fly a lifelike pulsating action proven to stimulate strikes from trout, salmon, bass, and a variety of other species.
A masterful pattern for tarpon and other big-game saltwater species, this fly produces day in and day out. Maximize your time on the water. This fly is sure to hook some monster fish.
Invented by Ken Morrish out of Ashland, OR, the Amber Hot Wire Caddis was his adaptation of a Copper John caddis. The use of wire helps get this pattern down, while the curved hook gives a more caddis-like profile. This is a great searching pattern that should be in every flyfisherman's fly box.
The Lead Eye Grizzly Silver Zonker is a very attractive minnow imitation. This classic streamer has tons of pulsating movement as it swims and it is a really good fly for large trout, bass, and many other species.
The White Silver Lead Eye Zonker is a killer when a light minnow imitation is called for. Bass, trout, and many other species can't seem to resist the Zonker's natural pulsating action. The heavy eyes on this fly help you to keep it swimming deep. Try Lead-eye Zonkers in every color to match your local baitfish in any water type or light conditions.
If you want to catch fishthen you better have a pile of Catch's Copper K Copper TB with you. Catch's Copper K series take the traditional Copper John to a whole other level. Realistic, life-like....this fly simply catches fish. This baby is a smooth as a 24 year old scotch. This nymph rig means catching huge fish. We all know the big boys live down deep, where our beadheads in custom colors are going to find them and hook up.
The Bead Head Shell Pink San Juan Worm is an effective pattern that will imitate annelids, aquatic worms, earthworms and simply will catch fish. The natural pink color has made this pattern work year round on most waters and the many size options will help you dial in what the fish are wanting. San Juan worms will work in all types of water and will catch most any freshwater fish.
The Gotcha fly is one of the best bonefish patterns available. The pearlescent body and critter-like shape makes this fly irresistable to feeding bonefish. The Gotcha is available is several variations and sizes and is effective in a variety of situations and locales.
The Psycho Prince, BH Yellow is a great trout and steelhead fly pattern. The Psycho Prince was invented by the fly tying mastermind Mike Mercer and continues to push the envelope for innovative Prince Nymph variations. The Psycho Prince can be tied in several colors, the most popular being purple, yellow, green, and pink
The Bead Head Worm Brown San Juan Worm is an effective pattern that will imitate annelids, aquatic worms, earthworms and more. This realistic natural color will simply catch fish. Anglers are finding San Juan Worms to be effective all year long in all types of water and will catch almost any freshwater fish.
The Tungsten Bead Maroon Zebra Midge is a midge pattern quickly coming into its own among Midge fishermen. Midge fishing is many times a demanding arena that not only requires delicate presentations with fine tippets, but equally the right fly pattern to bring success. The Tungsten Bead Maroon Zebra Midge can be drifted in the deeper runs, or hung off a dropper just under the surface to those suspended feeding fish. This is a Midge pattern that needs some space in your fly box. Give it a try and see the results.
Enjoy landing a grand slam with the most combative and acrobatic species tarpon,bonefish, permit, snapper, snook, jack crevalle. This fly catches them all!