Author Topic: "Starter" Fly Selection (Read 315 times)

Dejon Hamann · « **on:** December 09, 2009, 03:56:31 PM »

If you've been in the sport for awhile you've probably accumulated quite a catalog of flies. Maybe you've even discarded or sold whole boxes after deciding you had reached a new level of tying or moved on to a more reliable hook.

For others just getting into the sport the task of where to start tying can be daunting. I've developed the following list with this in mind. Fill one large box with the following River Patterns and one large box with the Lake Patterns and you will have a good leg up heading into next year's practice or competition.

All of the following flies should be tied strictly on approved barb-less hooks w/ tungsten beads. River Anchor Flies also wrapped w/ lead.

River:
Dropper
6 Each Frenchie (fl. chart & orange) 16-20
6 Each Micro Nymphs (baetis, black) 18
4 Each Zebra Midges (black, olive) 18-22
Anchor:
6 Each Rubber Leg Stone (golden, black, cent. Legs, size6/3.8bead, size 8/3.3bead)
4 Each Vladi Wovens or Czech Nymphs (3 different size/color)
6 Each Vladi Worm
1 Row Simple Dries (balloon caddis, cdc mayfly 14-18 olive/cream)

Lake:
Streamer Size 8:
Estaz Bugger (3 color variations)
Mohair Leech (black, brown)
Wet Fly Size 10/12:
Boobies (black, white, etc)
Blob
Snatcher
PT/HE Lake type Nymphs/Wets
Diawl Bach
Buzzers (4 color variations)
Dry Hook 12/14:
Handful of Caddis & Mayfly Dries (Balloon Sedge, Parachute Adams, etc)

Tie only 3 of each lake pattern variation.

Nick Naclerio · « **Reply #1 on:** December 09, 2009, 04:09:17 PM »

Great list Dejon. I do my frenchies in every color you can think of and they all seem to have their days. I do yellow, pink (very good one) red and the ones you listed plus different shades of those colors.

For the Vladi worms I just did a tutorial on how to tie the Vladi on the Skalka streamer hook. I also just got another light to hopefully brighten up the pictures on the next tutotial. http://creekaddict.com/?p=1252 Hope you don't mind a little shameless self promotion.

Josh Almond · « **Reply #2 on:** December 09, 2009, 04:16:10 PM »

Blowtorch is now on my christmas list...thanks a lot nick

Mark Hanes · « **Reply #3 on:** December 09, 2009, 04:17:52 PM »

I am thinking we might want to break this up in to two topics one stream and one for Lakes.

Nick that is a sweet post with the Vladi! I think i might have to save myself some time and order some from you. I will let you know.

Chris Smorul · « **Reply #4 on:** December 09, 2009, 04:18:01 PM »

Thanks for that list Dejon. Being new to tying I am a bit overwhelmed on what patterns to tie. The list definitely puts things into perspective for me.

Dejon Hamann · « **Reply #5 on:** December 09, 2009, 04:58:19 PM »

Quote from: Nick Naclerio on December 09, 2009, 04:09:17 PM

Great list Dejon. I do my frenchies in every color you can think of and they all seem to have their days. I do yellow, pink (very good one) red and the ones you listed plus different shades of those colors.

For the Vladi worms I just did a tutorial on how to tie the Vladi on the Skalka streamer hook. I also just got another light to hopefully brighten up the pictures on the next tutotial. http://creekaddict.com/?p=1252 Hope you don't mind a little shameless self promotion.

Good point on the various Frenchie colors Nick - I'm just trying to give people a good starting point. Don't want to overwhelm them with too many variations. Btw, that's a good plug - very helpful and pertinent info!

Quote from: Mark Hanes on December 09, 2009, 04:17:52 PM

I am thinking we might want to break this up in to two topics one stream and one for Lakes.

Let's keep it unified for now. I would like to try and refine it a bit and add links to good examples and tutorials though.

Chris Smith · « **Reply #6 on:** December 09, 2009, 06:02:13 PM »

Great list. I have a few soft hackles in my river box.

Chris Smorul · « **Reply #7 on:** December 12, 2009, 01:10:13 AM »

Thanks for the input guys. Looks like I got some work to do over the next few months. I have to add these to the list though. They are my "American Express" flies. I never leave home without them.

Details

Torrey Collins · « **Reply #8 on:** December 12, 2009, 06:07:36 AM »

Nice tie Chris, is the body material latex or something else?

Chris Smorul · « **Reply #9 on:** December 12, 2009, 09:24:11 AM »

latex strip cut from an unlubed trojan condom

Dejon Hamann · « **Reply #10 on:** December 12, 2009, 12:07:57 PM »

Chris, Soft Hackles would be a very good addition. In fact, a whole other box dedicated to "stripping, swinging, dapping, dipping" type river flies would be a good second step.

Chris, nice condom tie! I'll bet that's a real fish taker.

Chris Smorul · « **Reply #11 on:** December 13, 2009, 11:35:28 AM »

Thanks for the compliments Nympho and Dejon. This pattern has absolutely slammed them on the Bushkill this season both as a anchor in size 12 and a dropper in size 16. I caught my biggest wild fish this year on it.