Gandolf,

Usually by this time of year, my boxes are already over flowing with flies. I used to tie up tons of different patterns (I usually fish warm water), but the last few years, I've found that since I only tie to catch fish, I am tying no more than 6-8 patterns.

For bream, I tie the following:

1. all black leeches that use a dubbing brush for the body and a rabbit fur tail
2. Cap spiders
3. Carter's Sculpin usually black and grizzly
3. soft hackles

For LM Bass

1. larger all black leeches
2. Polar fiber minnows ( chartruese/olive over white and all black)
3. foam poppers
4. Gurgle pops usually all black

I know it sounds boring, but I find that I catch over 90% of my fish on these patterns so that's what I'll be tying this winter.

Jim Smith