The Parachute Adams (above), the worlds finest general attractor. If I had only one fly to fish the world, this would be it, in all sizes from #10 to #20 (on 5X-6X tippet). Parchutes are so visible for keeping your eye on the fly.
The Parachute Hopper, the next best thing to a steak dinner to hungry trout in season. All sizes. No telling how many big fish, BIG fish, I've been caught with this one. There are an infinite number of variations on this, but, this particular one's my top choice.
The Fat Albert, the new 'hottie' in the world of fly fishing, I'd take it anywhere for anything, in fresh or salt water. It can be dead drifted, stripped or jigged for stunning results. I now prefer it to my old favorite, a Madame X or a Muddler Minnow.
The Elk Hair Caddis, leaving this fly behind on an around-the-world journey would be like forgetting your toothbrush. All sizes.
The Ausable Wulff. Invented by fly fishing great Lee Wulff up in the Beaverkill Valley, this fly, or the similar Ausable Wulff /Trude comes in handy in all sizes on certain overcast days when other flies aren't working. Love this fly!
The Prince Nymph. I'd rather go hiking than fish a nymph, and still there are times when nothing else will work to catch fish. Here is my favorite. Others would argue that the pheasant tail nymph is preferable to the Prince. Either one will often do the trick.
The Bead-Head Woolly Bugger. Underwater, especially fishing for big browns in the fall, this great fly slays 'em all in black or olive, all sizes. You can't fish it dead as successfully as with lots of action. But it's irresistible to big fish on the bottom who are too lazy to come up for a dry.
Sometimes you just have to take it to them, and when you do, this is often "the one."
Yes, there are many, many other choices. But year in and out, these are the ones with staying power and class, in my opinion. Any one of these will match almost any hatch when presented correctly. If there is a runner up to this fabulous seven it would perhaps be a black ant or beetle.
5 comments:
I would whole heartedly agree with much of your selection, however, I would not go fishing without sulphurs in my box. And I do not consider a woolly bugger as a sporting trout fly. They're ugly. You have to have change tippets and leaders to fish em.
And generally I associate woolly bugger fishermen with bait fishermen, to put it mildly.
What an incredible snob......
I love the name Wooly Bugger! Now I know why my mom always described hairy men with that name! I am getting quite educated here at your blog Webutante!
Ausable Wullf: your sketch on this Wulff was ok for general info but wouldn't slide by us eastern tyers. Yes, Lee Wulff created the the general pattern called Wulffs, hair-winged, stiff tailed flies for fast water but the specific pattern, Ausable Wulff was the creation of Francis Betters of Wilmington, NY.
Betters pattern calls fot woodchuck tail, Australian opossum body, white Calf's tail wing and grizzly hackle. I'm sure I've given you a few over the years we have fished. Betters lives next to the Ausable river and developed several patterns for fishing it's pocket water. Another would be the Haystack.
P,
I have to say, no fishing I have ever done, or will ever do, comes close to the purism of you Easterners and tyers. You fellows make us look like beginners.
I appreciate your comment and look forward to more fishing and learning on the Delaware and more of your more delicate, match the hatch streams.....
The flies you have given to me over the years are so beautifully tied that I often hoard them as collectors items.
You fellows are a class unto yourselves.....
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