There are thousands upon thousands of flies on the market today. How do you know which one to pick? These are the top five flies that should be in every fly-fisherman’s fly box. These flies are considered some of the best all around flies on the market today.
- Parachute Adams
- Elk Hair Caddis
- Blue Wing Olive
- Copper John
- Zebra Midge
The parachute adams is probably the most versatile fly today. These flies are very popular because the fly always lands upright on the water, floats very well, and is easy to spot for an angler. Parachute adams are designed to imitate many different families of midges, mayflies and caddisflies. Parachute adams are recognized their little tuft of fluff on the top of the fly that acts as a good indicator for anglers. Parachute adams are an attractor pattern which means that fish are more attracted to the shape of the fly not the color of the fly.
The elk hair caddis is a popular dry fly that can be used in many different situations. Elk hair caddis imitate caddisflies and small stoneflies. This fly is exceptionally great at floating on the water. Elk hair is naturally hollow which adds to the buoyancy of the fly. This fly pattern performs very well on fast-flowing, choppy water.
Blue wing olive flies are similar to the parachute adams fly but have some key differences to completely change the way you fish. This fly imitates the Baetis family of mayfly. Blue wing olives are generally smaller flies but still manage to pack a punch. These flies perform best in choppy, fast-moving water. Blue wing olive flies have an olive body with blue dun hairs shooting off of it. Blue wing olive flies also come in a parachute pattern to make the fly easier to see on the water.
The copper john is a great, versatile nymph fly. The copper john is different from most nymphs because it has a big copper bead head, and a coil of copper wire wrapped around the body of the fly. This fly is not meant to imitate any fly in particular but is an all-around great imitator. It is a fast sinking fly that gives it the ability to bounce and roll down the river very naturally. The copper john is a great partner to a hopper on the surface. Having this set up should essentially double your chances of landing a fish.
A zebra midge is another popular choice in the nymph world. This nymph is extremely versatile and can be used all 12 months of the year. Zebra midges come in a variety of patterns and colors. It is always good to have a variety of different sizes and colors to accommodate your different fishing situations. Variations in the pattern include a metal bead head which makes it another effective hopper and dropper.
Most fish eat 80% of their food underwater. It is always a good idea to have a variety of dry flies and nymphs in your fly box. These five flies are the most essential flies that will accommodate every fly-fishing situation you may find yourself in.
Any flies you think should be on this list? Let me know in the comments!
Fly Fisherman's Guide to the Galaxy 