Thinking of doing some fishing over the holidays? The trout is a beautiful fish with iridescent skin and tasty pink flesh. So, whether you’re fishing to feed your family or simply for the thrill of the catch, your fly fishing experience is certainly improved when you encounter a trout. While time and location are important factors when it comes to catching trout, the right tackle is also a key factor, especially when it comes to the flies you use.
But which are the best flies for catching this fickle fish? Let’s take a look at some of our favorites…
Bunny Leech
This distinctive looking rabbit fur fly is one of the most effective in engaging the attention of curious trout, with better visibility and movement below the surface. One look at a Bunny Leech or any other rabbit fur fly and you can see why it’s more likely to draw a fish’s eye.
Parachute Adams
Any seasoned fly fisherman knows that the Adams is one of the most quintessential flies on the market. The Parachute Adams is often lauded for its versatility and ability to mimic all kinds of underwater prey from leeches to nymphs.
Colorful and eye catching, they’re appealing to trout and pretty much everything else in the water.
Hare’s Ear
A tungsten or gold threaded Hare’s Ear is another highly versatile lure which can pass for anything from a caddis fly to a scud to a mayfly. This versatility combined with its eye catching sheen make it irresistible to hungry trout.
Crayfish Fly
While less widely used and quintessential than the Adams or the Hare’s Ear, the crayfish is nonetheless a worthy piece of tackle, especially if you’re fishing for speckled sea trout. Any self-respecting salt water fish is going to be drawn by crustacean shaped lures.
Muddler Minnow
While it’s cousin the Clouser Minnow may be the most popular and versatile fly, we find that trout tend to be more readily lured by the Muddler.
Soft Hackle
The Soft Hackle’s spindly legs and brightly colored body make it a great addition to any set of wet flies. Able to imitate a wide number of insect species, we consistently get good results with this fly.
Pheasant Tail Nymph
This sinking nymph fly works on the same principles as the Hare’s Ear but is a little less ostentatious. If nearby trout aren’t going for the flashier Hare’s Ear, you may have better look with this more diminutive fly.
Elk Hair Caddis
Quite possibly the best dry fly on the market, the Elk Hair Caddis is wildly popular and readily available due to its realistic appearance and incredible versatility.
San Juan Worm
A sadly overlooked lure, the San Juan Worm’s bright red hue and distinctive appearance make it highly effective in snagging trout.
Wooly Bugger
And finally, this distinctive fly is as successful below the surface as the Parachute Adams is above it. Available in a wide variety of colors, it can pose effectively as all kinds of underwater prey making it virtually irresistible to trout.
For more information on our favorite flies and fly fishing kits check out Drifthook.com for our prebuilt collections of quality hand tied flies.
About the Author
Matthew Bernhardt, a third-generation Coloradan, grew up at the forefront of the state’s fly-fishing revolution, enjoying time on the water side by side with experienced guides and lifelong anglers.
By combining his passion for fly-fishing with input from other experienced fly-fishers and guides and his fine arts degree from Colorado State University, Matthew spent five years carefully developing the Drifthook Fly Fishing System, built to help every angler catch more trout.
When he’s not spending time with his wonderful family, you’ll find him out on the water catching MONSTER trout, and he anxiously looks forward to the day when his kids are old enough to join him there.
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