Limiting your fly box

[Vulture6]

I'm sure that almost all of us have this in common - not only hundreds of flies in our fly boxes, but probably a hundred different patterns as well. I know that we've had discussions about "must have" flies in the past, but I want to resurrect that discussion just a bit.
So, here goes...

For trout fishers - if you had to limit your fly box to just 10 patterns total (traditional drys, nymphs, streamers, buggers, terrestrials, spinners, wets, emergers, etc), what would you pick?

In your response, please indicate where you fish (Eastern US, Western US, Kamloops, Catskills, mountain freestones, limestone creeks, spring creeks, tailwaters, etc... be as specific or as vague as you wish).

The genesis of this discussion this time around... a tying buddy suggested that we focus in on mastering just 10 patterns this year (multiple sizes are okay). Now, the real challenge will be not carrying dozens of different patterns, but this is what I'll be tying exclusively (almost - I'll still tie for swaps -- and this doesn't apply to smallmouth flies or saltwater files) this year for trout.

Region: Eastern US (VA, MD, WV mountain freestones and tailwaters mainly)

1. Adams parachute
2. Blue winged olive parachute
3. Royal Wulff
4. Elk Hair Caddis
5. BH Pheasant Tail Nymph
6. BH Gold Ribbed Hare's Ear Nymph
7. Prince Nymph
8. Peacock/Grizzley Woolly Bugger
9. Deer Hair Hopper
10. Lt. Cahill wet/emerger

This was a tough exercise for me, because it leaves out some go-to flies like an ant, sulpher, san juan worm, Mr. Rapidan, March Brown, caddis nymphs, stimulator, etc...

So, if you could only tie/carry 10 fly patterns, what would they be?

[Clay]

If I had to
Adams
Elk Hair caddis
wooly bugger
PT
Hare's ear
copper john
scud
bunny or pine squirrel leach
bullet headed muddler
pink squirrel

[Buddy Sanders]

Vulture,

I trout fish in the lakes and rivers/streams of SW Colorado. These are what I actually carry with me EVRY day:

1)Dry fly/mayfly in brown, olive, and gray (all the same except color/size)

2)Dry fly/caddis in tan, olive, and yellow (again, all the same except color/size)

3)Semi Seal Leech

4)Peacock nymph (black tail, hearl on shank)

5)Chronimid bomber in black/red

6)Czeck style nymph

That's it for me...never needed more, but I like to TIE more than that...

Buddy

[CM_Stewart]

1. CDC & Elk
2. Sawyer's Killer Bug
3 - 10 not needed


Edited to admit that I really only need one. Either one will do.

[sagefisher]

Western Rivers

Only ten? Man, that ain't enough.

1. Parachute Adams
2. Elk Hair Caddis
3. Stimulator
4. Foam Hopper
5. San Juan Worm
6. Lightning Bug
7. Prince Nymph
8. Copper John
9. Brassie
10. Woolly Bugger

I need more flies..............

Larry ---sagefisher---

[gutbomb]

1. parachute adams
2. patriot
3. ausable wulff
4. royal pmx
5. griffiths gnat
6. bhpt
7. hares ear
8. zug bug
9. olive/white clouser
10. woolly bugger

[Dansker]

Northeast US:

Pheasant tail 10-20
Golden stone nymph 6-8-10 (I use a simple pattern a guide once taught me
Usual (yellow) 10 -18
Usual (pinkish fur) 12-16
Usual (tan or brownish) 10-14
Isonychia parachute 10-12-14
Peacock nymph 10-12
Walts cripple bwo 14-20
Walts cripple sulphur 12-20
Walts cripple isonychia 10-14
Schenks white minnow 6
Gartside softhackle streamer 4-6 white and yellow
fb hares ear 10-14
Rackelhanen 12-18 in gray, brown, tan, cream
Zoo cougar 4
Yellow stimulator 8
that does it for me
Ulrik

[Lotech]

I fish mainly Freestone rivers in Northern Idaho, a couple of Spring creeks in Washington, and small lakes in Washington from a pontoon boat. If I had all of the following in one box, that box would be all I needed. I take more, but these are all I generally use.

• EHC
• PMD
• BWO
• Royal Coachman
• X-Caddis
• Renegade
• Soft Hackle
• PTN
• Small Leeches
• Wooly Bugger

[DaveP63]

Midwest; Indiana, Missouri, Kentucky, Tennesee

1. Olive Soft Hackle
2. BH Pheasant Tail
3. BH Hares Ear
4. Elk Hair Caddis
5. Olive Wooly Bugger
6. Griffiths Gnat
7. Glass Bead Midge
8. BH Caddis Pupa
9. Zebra Midge
10. San Juan Worm