Newbies fly box

[njemt]

Hello everyone. I just wanted to run my list of flies by everyone for your opinions and ides. My thoughts 2 boxes: 1 for dries and 1 for everything else with 2 of each size per pattern. Here's my list:

Nymphs: (Includes BH, FB and other variations)<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comfficeffice" /><o></o>
Gold Ribbed Hare’s Ear 12-16
Pheasant Tail 14-18
Zug Bugs 10-16
Prince 10-16
Copper Johns 14-16
BH Caddis (tan, cream, olive) 12-16
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Dries:<o></o>
Stimulator (yellow, orange, olive) 08-12
Elk Hair Caddis (tan, olive, cream, black) 12-18
BWO 14-18
Sulphers 14-18
Light Cahill 12-16
Adams (parachute, reg.) 14-18
Humpies (black, red, yellow) 12-16
Hendrickson 14-16
Royal Wulff 12-14
CDC Sulpher Emerger 14-16
March Brown 12-14
Isonychia 10-14
Quill Gordon 14-16
Olive Hairwing Dun 16-20
Pale Morning Sparkle Dun 16-20
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Wets:<o></o>
Yellow Sally 6-10
Green drake 6-10
Soft Hackle Hares ear 12-16
Leadwing Coachman 12-14
Partridge and Yellow 12-14
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Scuds:<o></o>
Gray Scud 12-16
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Streamers:<o></o>
Wooly Buggers(black, olive, combin.) 8-12
Muddler Minnows 4-10
Black Ghosts 8-10
Gray Ghosts 8-10
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Terrestrials:<o></o>
Ants 12-14
Hoppers 08-12
Beetles 12-14
San Juan Worms 10-14

Thanks everyone.

 

[Pete]

That's a pretty good collection.

Personally I'd also include:

• Streamer - Mickey Finn (sometimes brookies like something big & bright)
  
  Nymph - a midge larve (eg Brassie) sizes 16 to 22)
  
  Dry - Trico Spinner - (if present in the waters you fish) size 22 to 26

 

[Fly Guy]

That's some list for a newbie. I don't know where you fish but make sure there are no specific flies for your area. Pete added good ones. Around here I wouldn't be caught dead without Stone flies from 8-18 in my box. That's why you should go to the local fly shop and see what works around there. Or tell us every place you fish and we can help. Don't forget the secret spots with directions and maps.

Jeremy

 

[jamiep]

Thats a great list u got i personally would have a few midges in there also
some cream white and black sizes 20-24 also but great selection u got
good luck when i started out i had so many flies i didnt even know what they were some i have never used but they will all come in to good use at some point or another.

 

[kbuchta]

I also like pink scud bugs in a 14-16 as well as white zonkers or white wolly in any size. They have been useful on some occasions.

 

[biot]

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Wets:<O></O>

Partridge and Yellow 12-14
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Scuds:<O></O>
Gray Scud 12-16
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As far as your wets go don't forget Partridge and Orange.

And Scuds Tan and Olive size 12- 18 you also should consider using

 

[njemt]

Thanks to everyone who commented on my selection. I have added the mentioned flies with the exception of the stone flies. Simply I'm not sure what to choose. Can you recommend some for me to add? I plan on fishing the usual trout streams i.e. Pequest, SBR and others but tried to plan out a all-around group of flies that I can have on hand if I go to PA or NY. If and when I do go there I plan on checking out the local shops to find out what works there.

 

[Fly Guy]

Kauffmann stone flies are very good for 6-14 and black pheasant tails for 16-18. I also carry rubber legged stone flies. Do you tie your own or do you go to a fly shop? If you tie I'll send you pics and a recipe. Good luck.

Jeremy

 

[njemt]

I tie my own and also buy them, I still a bit rusty after not having tied in a long time. I definately give it a try though.

 

[trico mike]

Dont forget black nose daces and some smaller bwos 20-32

 

[Bubba Zinetti]

This topic is interesting, and it brings up a discussion that my wife and I have been having about fly boxes, and what to carry. This year we tried to simplify and reduce the amount of "stuff" that we carry on the river. We both found that in our fly boxes we only use ~25% of the flies that are in the box. So we have started to remove seasonal flies and store them in another box. For example would you carry sulphers in October? Or tricos in March? We have also found that there haven't been many occasions that we have used a 10-12 Hares ear, or pheasant tail. When it comes to dries we usually carry only seasonal flies, and caddis (we always have caddis in various sizes and colors). Since we usually fish together we will tend to prospect with 2 different flies and if one works well, then we will both use it. In my 4 seasons fishing in NJ I have only had to match the hatch a few times.
YMMV

 

[Fly Guy]

You bring up a good point Bubba. I usually carry 4-6 on each pattern in each size. Normally it's because the person fishing with me doesn't have the right fly and are not catching fish. Geez. I should get paid like a guide for that.

But it's true, the only dries I carry in winter are midges, Bwo, and hares ear parachutes. The parachutes are used as indicators. I need more fly boxes.

Jeremy

 

[Petergoodman]

Another thing to consider is how you organize your boxes. I have a box with all my BWOs and Sulfers together. If I expect neither, it stays in the car. I then have a general mayfly box - Hendricksons, March Brown/Grey Fox, Isonychia, etc. A caddis box - dries, pupas, etc. An attractor box - Royal Wulffs, Adams, Stimulators, Stonefly dries. A nymph/emerger/wet box. A streamer box - generally stays in the car, but if i expect to use it I am probably not going to use the general mayfly box, so switch. Small Midge box goes in short pocket.

Now if I am travelling, or hitting a small stream environment, maybe only 1-2 boxes at most. For yellowstone area I put a box together with pretty much everything I need specific to that area - add to the vest the midge box, the nymph box and the attractor box.

 

[Joe Mairo]

Like others have shared, most of the time here in NJ I don't find full blown hatches with fish keyed in on a specific insect. Usually it's more about fishing subsurface in fishy spots. I usually find myself dead drifting classic flies like pheasent tail nymphs and hares ears. I'd say usually I fish on the smaller side - from #14/16 on down.

Sometimes I feel like I should be more well rounded, but the situations I read about in books that call for different tactics I usually don't see when I'm out.

So at the end of the day, most of my fishing is done using classic nymphs dead drifted and swung - I fish with streamers some too.

So although that list of flies you provided in your first post is very complete, I'm willing to bet a lot of those flies won't get used all that much. And if money is an issue I'd start with

Pheasant Tails in sizes 14 and smaller
Hares Ears 14 and smaller
Woolly buggers in black and green
Caddis Larva #14, #16
Caddis Pupa #14, #16
Non Toxic Split Shot
Indicators

If I could do it all over again that is what I would have started with - then as you progress you can get into other flies.

Either way, at the end of the day I don't think you'll ever looked at the flies/gear I listed above and regret buying or tying them.

I can't say that for all my stuff.

Best of luck,

Joe

 

[jerseydude]

spot on, JoeM

especially when you are a beginner, don't worry so much about using the right flies..you should pay attention more to drift, depth, and other parts of your presentation

 

[njemt]

Hi everyone. I hope everyone had a good holiday season and wish everyone a happy and safe new year. Just an update, I have read everyone's suggestions on my list of flies and will be making some changes to it. As soon as i get it done I will update the thread. Thanks for your help.