Fly Patterns
I tie most of my own flies these days and, believe it or not, still manage to catch fish. I won't pretend to be a great flytier, but I am able to manage most of the patterns that I think I need. I always keep in mind that I'm not trying to tie art, I'm trying to catch fish. Sometimes the ugliest flies work the best!
My philosphy of fly patterns is to try to minimize the number of patterns that I carry. It is far too easy to get carried away with filling your fly boxes with too many different flies--- keep it simple! When it comes right down to it, most people end up fishing with only a small number of patterns anyway even if they happen to be carrying a flybox stocked better that Dan Bailey's showroom.
So, here are my dozen or so favorite patterns that cover most situations that I care to fish. Even though I do stick to a small number of patterns, I do vary size, color, and sometimes materials.
By the way, if you do not tie flies yet and are interested in starting, check out my "Fishing Books" page for some good instructional titles.
Also, if you are interested in learning to tie flies and live in the Vancouver, WA area, send me an E-Mail and I can recommend a good place to learn.
| ADAMS | |
|---|---|
| Hook: | Mustad 94845 (size 10-20) |
| Thread: | Black |
| Wing: | Grizzly Hackle Tip |
| Tail: | Grizzly Hackle Fibers or Dark moose Hair |
| Body: | Muskrat Fur |
| Hackle: | Grizzly & Brown, mixed |
| ELK HAIR CADDIS | |
|---|---|
| Hook: | Mustad 94845 (size 10-20) |
| Thread: | Brown, Tan, or Olive |
| Ribbing: | Gold Wire |
| Hackle: | Grizzly (Palmered, counter-wrapped) |
| Body: | Tan, Brown, or Olive Fur |
| Wing: | Elk Hair (can substitute Deer Hair) |
| ROYAL WULFF | |
|---|---|
| Hook: | Mustad 94845 (size 6-16) |
| Thread: | Black |
| Wing: | White Calf Tail |
| Tail: | Dark Elk Hair or Moose Hair or White Calf Tail |
| Body: | Peacock Herl/Red Floss/Peacock Herl |
| Hackle: | Brown |
| ZUG BUG | |
|---|---|
| Hook: | Mustad 3906B (6-16) |
| Thread: | Black |
| Tail: | Peacock Sword or Herl |
| Ribbing: | Gold Wire |
| Body: | Peacock Herl |
| Hackle: | Brown (Beard) |
| Wing: | Duck Flank (clipped short) |
| GOLD-RIBBED HARE'S EAR | |
|---|---|
| Hook: | Mustad 3906B (6-16) |
| Thread: | Brown |
| Tail: | Brown Hen |
| Ribbing: | Gold Wire |
| Body: | Tan Fur from Hare's mask |
| Hackle: | Brown (Beard) |
| Wingcase: | Brown Mottled Turkey |
| Thorax: | Darker Fur from Hare's Mask |
| BOX CANYON STONE | |
|---|---|
| Hook: | Mustad 3906B (2-10) |
| Thread: | Black |
| Tail: | Brown Goose Quill Fibers |
| Abdomen: | Black Yarn |
| Wingcase: | Mottled Turkey Quill |
| Thorax: | Black Yarn |
| Hackle: | Furnace, Palmered over Thorax |
| WOOLLY BUGGER | |
|---|---|
| Hook: | Mustad 9672 (2-10) |
| Thread: | Black |
| Tail: | Black Marabou |
| Hackle: | Black, palmered |
| Body: | Black Chenille |
| MUDDLER MINNOW | |
|---|---|
| Hook: | Mustad 9672 (1/0-12) |
| Thread: | Brown |
| Tail: | Brown Hen or Turkey Quill |
| Body: | Braided Gold Tinsel |
| Underwing: | Gray Squirrel Tail |
| Overwing: | Mottled Turkey Quill |
| Head: | Deer Hair (spun & clipped) |
| WOOLLY WORM | |
|---|---|
| Hook: | Mustad 9672 (2-14) |
| Thread: | Black |
| Tail: | Scarlet Hackle Fibers |
| Hackle: | Grizzly |
| Body: | Black Chenille |