I just got in to Fly Fishing a couple months ago, and started tying just a few weeks after that.
I’ve been able to keep myself well-supplied with Hoppers, Wooly Buggers, and Streamers so far this Summer.
I’ve already started thinking about later this year. I’m planning on switching production over to patterns that will help me catch fish. I am primarily a warm-water fisherman, chasing various Sunfish, Black Bass, Stripers/Wipers/Whites, etc. This Winter, I will also have a shot at some stocked Rainbows, as the town I live in stocks a small lake every Winter.
I have already started tying some Orange Nymphs from the FOTW, along with a couple variants. I just got done tying some Brassies.
Any other suggestions? Any trout fishing will be done in still water, or very little current should it rain heavily for a day or two (we need it!!!)
For stillwater, I would go with Pheasant tails, Buzzers and a nice bright red blood worm. Fished static or with a very slow twitchy retrieve.
All the best.
Mike
A super easy to tye fly that has been good to me is the Bream Killer, chenille body, rubber legs at mid body, squirrell tail wing, I usually tye it on a size 8 or 10 aberdeen, sometimes I add a little lead wire or tye it on a 1/124 oz jig
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In cooler water of Fall, a 1/80 oz Springbrook Wunder microjig in either all black, or chartreuse, or silver or gold chenille body work GREAT for bluegills and crappies under an indicator.
For Nymphs, I’ll suggest Ian Colin James’ “Muncher” nymph.
For stocked trout, its REALLY hard to go wrong with a #10 Beadhead Woolly Bugger…olive chenille body, black marabou tail and black hackle. This almost ALWAYS catches fish. But sometimes a streamer with gold or silver metallic flash or body can be outstanding. Sometimes a streamer like a Blue Thunder can be good: http://about-flyfishing.com/library/weekly/aa021502a.htm
For stocked fish in still water ponds, a collection of thread midges (e.g. “zebra midge”) would serve you well. Try black or red thread bodies with silver wire ribs. You can either use brass beads for heads, or just glass beads (e.g. clear with silver lining). These will work on panfish too.
I don’t do any still water fishing so take this at face value.
Local fly shops are usually willing to recommend flies if you are willing to purchase some. And there may also be also be local fly recommendations for your waters online.
If everybody is recommending a narrow range of flies for any waters, I usually start out fishing those flies. But I’ll also try out some flies that are outside of that range. For example, I have never seen any online source recommend an Infamous Pink Worm for a specific body of water. (Google for tying instructions.) But I’ve experienced having this fly be really productive when the recommended local fly was not working.
I have been taking notes. I’ve even been tying. Several days ago, I tied up some Brassies, Chironomids, and some Zebra Midges. Those were all on size 12 hooks, so they’re a little on the big side. I’ll get some smaller hooks here soon, and tie some up on those.
