The “Just One Fly” Question
- This topic has 28 replies, 21 voices, and was last updated Sep 26, 2012 at 1:16 pm by
.
-
Posts
-
Invariably I hear some variation of this one from clients at several points throughout the season – “If you had to fish for trout in a variety of environments, but could only carry a single pattern, what would it be?” They ask in the boat, at the dinner table, in the truck; it seems to be a theme. I suppose the recent development of several “one fly” tournaments up in the states is testament also to the fact that it is a thought which occupies minds. Some even take it to extremes, looking to apply the question to broader playing fields that include “all fish” or “all waters”, but I think that’s a bit too much. Not to mention the fact that even when we are dealing with a single species, I think for most of us the diversity of flies, materials, and styles is a significant part of our attraction to the whole idea of just what we are out here doing with so much of our spare time. Still, it is an interesting concept, this of the “one fly”.
So I ask the board – If you had to pick just one fly (that is to say, one pattern, in one size) to carry across every trout water you know and fish regularly – which one would it be? And why?
Looking forward to the responses,
Fly:#14 walts worm
Why: 30 second tie and can pass for just about anything, not to mention it catches fish
JWI have caught every species of trout on it, including laker steelhead, and I am pretty sure it’d work for stripers and bonefish as well.
Hard question for sure when I have many go to flies for different situations.
If I had to bring it down to just one pattern to use, that’s effective in most all situations, I’d have to go with a #16 Pheasant Tail. Tied with and without beads, with and without legs, etc. Quick to tie and easy for clients to fish.
This tied using pine squirrel strips in a variety of colors. The cone needs a little room to wiggle near the eye so the fly rattles a little bit. The local guys here call them a pine cone fly. It is just a slumpbuster variant. Drives trout and bass crazy. Catches crappie and bluegill too (if the bluegill are large enough to get the thing in their mouth).
This tied using pine squirrel strips in a variety of colors. The cone needs a little room to wiggle near the eye so the fly rattles a little bit. The local guys here call them a pine cone fly. It is just a slumpbuster variant. Drives trout and bass crazy. Catches crappie and bluegill too (if the bluegill are large enough to get the thing in their mouth).I’m starting to see a bit of a rabbit-strip theme develop here….
Muddler Variant. Tied with a palmered body hackle. Not sure if it has a name. It can be fished dry or stripped behind a sinking line to imitate baitfish or other critters depending on the size it is tied.
Just one fly “for enjoyment” = Jack Cabe Hopper (dry fly)
Just one fly “to catch fish” = White baitfish anything (e.g. the Zuddler mentioned above)
Just one fly “to look like a bad ass” = Tube Fly
Just one fly “for flats fishing” = Deer head bait fish pattern
Just one fly “for panfish” = worm
Just one fly “If I’ve been drinking” = Electric Chicken
Just one fly “To show off” = Sex Dungeon
Just one fly “In the winter” = Zebra Midge
Just one fly . . . LMAO 😉
Just one fly “for enjoyment” = Jack Cabe Hopper (dry fly)
Just one fly “to catch fish” = White baitfish anything (e.g. the Zuddler mentioned above)
Just one fly “to look like a bad ass” = Tube Fly
Just one fly “for flats fishing” = Deer head bait fish pattern
Just one fly “for panfish” = worm
Just one fly “If I’ve been drinking” = Electric Chicken
Just one fly “To show off” = Sex Dungeon
Just one fly “In the winter” = Zebra Midge
Just one fly . . . LMAO 😉
Alright, I want pictures of your tube fly, and your electric chicken…
For trout big and small, and I’ll throw bass in too, I don’t think you can go wrong with an olive sculpin, like Dave Whitlock’s near nuff pattern. I don’t fish them much because it’s not really my style, but that fly definitely gets a reaction from fish!
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.