Flies,flies, flies

[Pete Tyjas]

I was once asked to put together a fly selection of a dozen flies. I struggled a bit as I don't use too many even when guiding. For me the box has to have:
Para adams in 16 to 20
Klinks in black, grey and olive in size 16 to 20
Elk hair caddis in 16
Para tups in 16
Para bwo in 16 to 20
Ptn's and grhe's in 14 and 16

Think thats about it for me, what are your must have flies for our rivers?

Pete

[tobym]

I would add a pink bug for the grayling and a couple of spider patterns.

As for dries a cdc & Elk takes some beating.

T

[BarleBlanker]

A Devon rivers man with no Half Stone
Where is the pheasant tail (dry)?
I'd also add a partridge and orange and a pattern that for some reason doesn't seem to exsist outside of my fly box, the partridge and olive.
Some bigger sedges (up to 6's!) for use at dusk, they will work for sea trout in places.
A minnow/streamer/wooly bugger for when you fancy "spinning" with a fly rod.

I carry nothing smaller than a 16 I would probably catch more if I did but I only go fishing to look at the flowers

Andy

[grumpy]

Always have an ant pattern..terrific for when fish are taking "no see-ums" !

[timbrewulf]

Why oh why is it so difficult to buy flies tied on barbless hooks? I have contacted many tiers in Britain who are less than interested. Only one came back indicating he was willing to tie on barbless hooks, which would in any case cost more. Naturally! Advancing years preclude my tying my own flies so all my stuff is put away in boxes. I would have thought that barbless flies esential for easier c & r.

[grumpy]

I have asked this question in the past and the responses have been along the lines of A) as you stated they are more expensive to manufacture B) crimping a barb leaves a minute bump which tends to be more successful than a true de-barbed hook but doesn't damage the fish any more. Micro barb hooks are a good alternative which is what I tend to use...crimped!

[grumpy]

as well as the flies mentioned above include the garden fly!