I am thinking of a "universal fly"

[Byron haugh]

First a short story. A year ago, I had walked the mile to the middle of Harriman's Ranch on the Henry's Fork. There was not a fish rising anywhere in sight. I tried emergers, etc. Nothing.

Then, I looked through my boxes and selected a really nice (I thought) Adams in a size 14. I decided I would fish that dry fly whether the trout approved or not. To my surprise, a nice, fat rainbow took that fly and made my day.

So, I believe in matching the hatch; fishing soft hackles; and fishing nymphs; etc.. But, I'm beginning to believe that there may be some dry fly styles that just might work in nearly any situation.

I believe the Comparadun is one of those patterns/styles of flies - especially if tied in a rather "common insect coloration".

Anyway, I want to go try this fly out even if there are no hatches.

[Rocketfish]

I have similar experiences with the Adams. And I can say that a Griffith's Gnat on #20 saved my day more than once.

[AlanB]

I was introduced to the Sparkle Dun tied with a yellow/olive body on a size 14 or 14 for the same purpose. The big difference came from finishing the fly with a small spot from a red marker pen on the tail. That little addition makes an incredible difference. When I first tied them I didn't have a red marker pen to hand so I put a couple of red strands into the tail. That worked just as well.

Cheers,
A.

[hap]

Thinking if I were thinking universal it would be a bugger I would be thinking of... and I think I hate buggers!

[Fishing Jill]

I like the McGinty.

[Eric-WD]

Elk hair caddis. hard to beat, by the time this thread is up, we will all be able to stock a dry fly box with the best of the best. Oh and a black ant size 14

[Eric-WD]

Byron that is a great tie, how about doing a fly of the week of that one.

Eric