My number one choice for going down under would have to be the tungsten bead head Zebra Midge in sizes 18 and smaller.
The Pheasant Tail is my second choice in size 14 and 16, again tungsten bead head
My third fly would have to be the Griffiths Gnat, this little jewel works for me when nothing else is happening on top---size 18 and smaller
The famous Mayfly in size 14 and 16 is an awesome dry for me on the Caney Fork in Tennessee and has also produced on the Sipsey tailrace
My last is another awesome dry pattern called the Bomber. This fly resembles the Parachute Adams, but has more hackle and stays afloat longer. This fly is tied by Alan at Small Stream Reflections, he has landed lots of brook trout with this one pattern.
Those are great but I'd bring a different set. Elk hair caddis, renegade, ant pattern - probably black or red. White Wooly bugger, bead head soft hackle and a CDC puff daddy.
ReplyDeleteYes!! Renegade! Praise be, a fellow Sears and Roebuck specialist. Actually, dates back to Hemingway. Dry dropper, but it's gotta be only ONE size. Ha!
DeleteI agree on the zebra midge and pheasant tail, my other three would be a caddis-elk hair caddis, parachute adams, and a black woolybugger. From brookies to bass, I use a bugger for everything.
ReplyDeleteHmmm...PT nymph, prince nymph, GRHE nymph. White woolybugger as Kevin said and some classic Adams to round out the list.
ReplyDeleteYou never know how tough a question is until it gets asked.
ReplyDeleteElk hair caddis #16
Black and Silver Zebra midge #18/20
Olive Bugger w/rubber legs #6
Black Foam Ant #14/16
Pheasant Tail Nymph #14 - 20
Kevin Frank
ReplyDeleteRenegade and the ant pattern are two patterns I have fished and both are excellent flies. Thanks for the sharing your list
JGR
ReplyDeletePrince Nymph and the Adams are good choices. I feel both these flies would land trout anywhere in the U.S. Thanks for the sharing your list
Kevin
ReplyDeleteThe Zebra Midge has to be my favorite nymph. Of all the nymphs I have fished; this one has been the most effective for me. Thanks for sharing your list
Bill-I'd go along with the zebra midge and bh pheasant tail, stimulator, adams and elkhair caddis.
ReplyDeleteOooooh, cool question, Bill.
ReplyDeleteFor trout mine are
-black or purple zebra midge
-pheasant-tail
-white woolly bugger
-parachute Adams
-Griffith's gnat
Howard
ReplyDeleteThe reason I did this post was to get some feedback on fly patterns I haven't used. The elkhair caddis is one I haven't used, I got to try it. Thanks for sharing your list
Bill, you have some good choices there.
ReplyDeleteHere are mine. Bomber, Picket Pin, Elk Hair Caddis, Mickey Finn, BH Pheasant Tail.
Alan
ReplyDeleteIf I had to pick my number one dry it would be the Bomber. Picket Pin and the Mickey Finn, are two I am not familiar with. Do you have an image of those patterns? Thanks for your list
You have never used an elk hair caddis?!!!!!!!!!! Shame shame shame.... =)
ReplyDeleteKevin Frank
ReplyDeleteElkswing Caddis Black I have used, but not the Elk Hair Caddis--I will have to try one, this is why I did this post to find flies I haven't used--thanks for telling me about Elk Hair Caddis
Adams, black wooly bugger, RS2, Brassie, and a soft hackle...if I were to choose just five :-)
ReplyDeleteSanders
ReplyDeleteThe bugger is one that will be trying for the larger trout in the slower water below the dam. thanks for sharing you list
San Juan Worm, CDC P-Tail, Stimulator, Cubby Chernobyl, Coffee Sparkle Minnow. Oh, and Indicators... and weight... and floatant... and Seaguar... etc.
ReplyDeleteJustin
ReplyDeleteSan Juan Worm is one of my favorties---haven't heard of the Coffe Sparkle Minnow, have to check this one out. Thanks for sharing your list
Pretty much all of mine are listed somewhere above, but I don't think anyone else had my exact combination... so here goes...
ReplyDeleteElk Hair Caddis (black or tan) size 16 or 18
BH Prince Nymph size 14 or 16
BH soft hackle size 14 or 16
BH "Rim Shoals" Zebra Midge (black with wire rib and tiny little midge flash "tail") size 18
Woolly Bugger (olive body, black hackle and tail) size 8 or 10
Wooley Bugger
ReplyDeleteQuigley Cripple
Parachute Adams
Pheasant Tail Nymph
Ant
Though ask me on some other day and I may change my mind. :)
Jay
ReplyDeleteThat Zebra Midge you are referring to is the best of all the patterns in the Midge category. All the rest you have listed are excellent patterns, I have used all. Thanks for sharing your list
Steve
ReplyDeleteI haven't heard of the Quigley Cripple ---I will take a look at this one. Thanks for sharing your list
Hard to pick 5 for the nation as you guys on the east coast have way more mayflies than we do out west but here goes.
ReplyDeleteParachute Adams
Elk Hair Caddis
Fat Albert
BH Prince nymph
San Juan worm
The adams and elk hair caddis probably have accounted for 50% of all my fish on the dry, and the Fat Albert is simply the best hopper, cicada, stonefly imitation there is. It is basically a weapon of mass destruction on high country cutties!
Hi Rod up in Canada
ReplyDeleteI think the Adams and the Elk Hair will work anywhere. Glad to hear from a neighbor up North. Thanks for sharing your list
BH PT 16, pink squirrel 16, zebra midge 20, wooly bugger 6, brown foam ant 14
ReplyDelete