Essential Flys

[cst]

I was looking at some flys and wondering what the essentials are. I will almost always fish lakes and sometimes fish Kern and smaller streams. I also will be fishing for multiple species. I had found a website that listed a very general tacklebox but it didnt include colors or sizes.

i was thinking of getting Pheasent Tails and Prince Nymphs for my nymphs since ive had some experience with them on spinning gear. I already have a few streamers like wooley buggers and a few other random ones.

so a few of my questions are...

what size pheasent tails and prince nymphs should i get?
should i get them with bead heads or not?
what kind of midges and what size will i need?
Should i get scuds? if so, what type/color/size?
also, what else should i get? i have a few dry flys in mind but i probobly wouldnt be fishing them...
what kind of strike indicators should i pickup?


well thanks.

[trout guy]

wooly buggers are a must. olive in size six and eight. im not to sure on the size of the prince nymphs. fishing midges and most nymphs are pretty boring. im not very big on the whole strike indicator thing. streamers and wet flies are much more fun imo.

[NulodPBall]

Hi...you didn't say what lakes...if you're fishining the Sierras, then the underwater midges I'd get in 18 or smaller...if it's around here, 16 or 18 is great. Gold and silver beads/wires are standard, depending on the water clarity. Generally if it's dark, use darker colors, if it's light/bright try lighter colors.

My goto is the wooleybugger, generally without beads, but lately one of my friends has been doing good with a sink tip line so I've been switching to with-beads.

The next in line for streamers is a matuka.

for nymphs, I'm kinda of the opinion you match the general shape, form, and color at the right depth and you're good to go, so you need to try different sizes and colors and depths. Good general colors are olive, black, brown and on the midges, grey. With streamers, I'd go large if you're hesitating over what size to pick.

If you see alot of swallows flying around, try a large surface fly like a Royal Coachman. They're usually chasing midges that you can't see, and the trout actually will tend to prefer surface action over streamers, even if your fly doesn't "match the hatch".

If you're midging underwater, use an anchor. If you're fishing someplace with large fish, and a mud bottom, try the occasional 22, and the occasional 12. The 22 I'd try on faith...people tell me that all the time but I haven't caught anything on that size yet...the 12 I've caught my fattest trout in Montana on, on Lake Hebgen.

Good Luck.
Ray

[Eric]

nymphs , hares ear, pheasant tail ,prince and u might also get the fox squirrel in these sizes 12,14,16. also i would get some of the above nymphs with leggs.
i don't get the chance to dry fish much but i carry adams, bwo and elk hair caddis in size 12,14,16,18,20
and always hit up the local fly shop to get the local info on what is hot and what flys they suggest.
if u r buying on line check out bluefly.com good prices.
good luck Eric

[PlatinumHooks]

Wooley B's are probably the most versatile wet fly and more than likely the most widely used here in Cali in terms of wets. Nymphs, IMO, come next in terms of popularity and versatility, but there are differernt species of Nymph. Damsels, Dragonfly, Mayfly...those are probably your best bet.

In Buggers, I would fish browns blacks and especially olives; as large a #10 and no smaller than a #14

Damsel and Dragonfly nymphs: same colors, no larger than an #8 down to #12; and Mayfly Nymphs #12 to #16
(IMO always do a bead head Mayfly if your fishing them wet, because Mays can also be fished dry successfully with no weight).

Midges; I like Bloodworm midges, beaded and from a #12 to a #18.

General info, Hope that helps.

[Matt]

Dry fly action (when it's happening) can't be beat! On smaller streams, go smaller 16-20, bigger waters (ie Kern)go a little bigger -12-16: Adams, Elk Hair Caddis, Royal Wulff, Grey Hackle PEacock, Griffith's Gnat, Black Gnat, different color Humpies (red, yellow, black). Woolly Buggers in 10-14, black, brown, olive, peacock and white/pearl. Some big attractor/hopper patterns like a Madame X (yellow, 10-14) and Stimulators in Royal, Yellow and Orange, also 10-14. These would be the basics in addition to Princes, Pheasant Tails, and Hare's Ears. Check where you are going for specific local patters to add (Kern Emerger, etc), and you will be set for just about anywhere in CA.

[cst]

ok i won two auctions for 2 dozen size 14 pheasant tails and a dozen size 14 prince nymphs. there are a few more auctions closing tommorow but nothing you guys suggested. only one worth considering would be for an assortmant of midges, i might bid on that one...

2 - BH BRASSIE (COPPER) 18 & 20
2 - BH WD-40 (BROWN) 18 & 20
2 - SERENDIPITY (RED) 18 & 20
2 - DISCO MIDGES (PEARL) 20 & 22
2 - GRIFFITHS GNAT 18 & 20
2 - BH BLACK BEAUTY 18 & 20
2 - BH ZEBRA MIDGES (OLIVE) 18 & 20
2 - CREAM DRY MIDGES 20 & 22
2 - BLACK DRY MIDGES 18 & 20

thats what they're selling.

[PlatinumHooks]

Originally Posted by cst

ok i won two auctions for 2 dozen size 14 pheasant tails and a dozen size 14 prince nymphs. there are a few more auctions closing tommorow but nothing you guys suggested. only one worth considering would be for an assortmant of midges, i might bid on that one...

2 - BH BRASSIE (COPPER) 18 & 20
2 - BH WD-40 (BROWN) 18 & 20
2 - SERENDIPITY (RED) 18 & 20
2 - DISCO MIDGES (PEARL) 20 & 22
2 - GRIFFITHS GNAT 18 & 20
2 - BH BLACK BEAUTY 18 & 20
2 - BH ZEBRA MIDGES (OLIVE) 18 & 20
2 - CREAM DRY MIDGES 20 & 22
2 - BLACK DRY MIDGES 18 & 20

thats what they're selling.

Zebras and the copper brassie's are dope. I got a bunch.

how much is the starting bid on the midges?

and what did you pay for the others?

[cst]

its 9 dollars with shipping. ive watched 2 of those auctions close, and people bid a bit so it'll end up being around 10-11 probobly.

and i won
12 New Pheasant Tail Nymph Size 14 Nymph Fishing Flies
24 New Prince Size 14 Nymph Fishing Flies

they cost me $12.30. one of them had free shipping too since i combined them. only problem is it was a UK seller so i'll probobly have to wait a bit before i actually get tehm.

[PlatinumHooks]

Originally Posted by cst

its 9 dollars with shipping. ive watched 2 of those auctions close, and people bid a bit so it'll end up being around 10-11 probobly.

and i won
12 New Pheasant Tail Nymph Size 14 Nymph Fishing Flies
24 New Prince Size 14 Nymph Fishing Flies

they cost me $12.30. one of them had free shipping too since i combined them. only problem is it was a UK seller so i'll probobly have to wait a bit before i actually get tehm.

depending on where the flies come from and who tied them, it looks like you pretty much scored big time!

Are they home grown or are they tied by a prominant tyer?

[cst]

its a big ebay store thats selling 542 auctions right now so im hoping its pretty good.

[PlatinumHooks]

Originally Posted by cst

its a big ebay store thats selling 542 auctions right now so im hoping its pretty good.

I think you'll score big.

[cst]

how much do flys usually retail for?

[PlatinumHooks]

Originally Posted by cst

how much do flys usually retail for?

This is not a general question at all. lol

It really depends on who ties them, the quality of the tie and what kinda fly it is.

I'll just give a few retail price scenario examples for one fly:

standard midges (bead heads):
- mediocre quality - $0.80 to $1.25 ea
- high quality - $2.00 to $2.50 ea


I've seen Woolly Buggers go from $1.00 all the way up to $4.00 a fly. It all depends on who's tying the fly and the quality of material, etc.

I've got some saltwater flies that go from $6 to $10 bucks a pop.

It gets substantially cheaper if you buy them by the half or full dozen, normally.

Chris, if you're looking for a great fly shop locally, try Malibu fish and tackle in Thousand Oaks/Westlake area. They've got a really good selection of flies and decent prices too. If you wanna go, let me know and we'll check it out.

[cst]

i already haveh a great flyshop. its called Fishermans Spot i just never have time to go there before 6pm.