Micro Golden Stonefly | Big bugs are molting as the snow is melting!
What makes the Mirco Golden Stonefly “the fly of the month” going into April is because it is very realistic to the actual golden stone nymph, the lighter pale yellow color, the epoxy back giving that armor look, the life like segmented body and the “turkey biot” used for the legs which pushes the water and grabs fish’s attention this is definitely one of the most realistic Stonefly patterns around and a deadly pattern to use the next few months.
Anna on the Fly,
March 26, 2023
Nymphs with Hot Spots Should Have a Place in Your Fly Box
Hot spots are effective. We outline all the different forms and colors that you’ll find on today’s top hot spot fly fishing flies.
Chris N.,
February 26, 2023
Bjorn’s Flash Midge Larva | Keep 'em Guessing
The black beauty, the mercury midge and other small midge patterns get a lot of airtime, but one thing that I find important when choosing flies is picking VARIATIONS!
Anna on the Fly,
February 07, 2023
Confidence patterns are the stable of flies that an angler reaches to regularly with the expectation of catching fish.
Confidence patterns are not simply a list of best sellers, nor are they a list of most recommended flies. Confidence patterns are the stable of flies that an angler reaches to regularly with the expectation of catching fish. Our confidence in these flies is a self-fulfilling prophecy of sorts…we fish these flies with the expectation of catching fish and we probably have better concentration and better presentations. And, thus, better results.
Chris N,
February 05, 2023
How are fly fishing flies designed? Foundations and three paths of creativity.
Fly design doesn’t just happen sitting behind a vice. There’s a lot of creative genius and time invested into these combinations of feathers and hooks.
Chris N,
February 04, 2023
Rojo Midge | Go Get It
I have had a lot of success using Garcia’s “Rojo Midge” pattern, both as an attractor and as my second fly. I typically fish it in a size 18 or 20, dead drifting it mid-column like a midge pupa pushing its way to the surface.
Anna on the Fly,
January 31, 2023
Jiggy Blowtorch Nymph | "One of the top three flies for trout anywhere in the world!"
REMEMBER BIG BUGS ARE STILL IN THE RIVERS! Yes it’s “Tailwater tiny” season but don’t let that stop you from trying out new attractor patterns, a trout will eat a big meal if the presentation is there!
Anna on the Fly,
January 23, 2023
Flies tied on jig hooks have unique characteristics that lead to better performance. Riding hook point up is not on our list as one of these.
We do think that jig hooks have several unique characteristics that make them especially effective when used in a Euro Nymphing setup. We also think these characteristics make them great for fishing with a bobber or under a dry fly. We are less and less convinced, however, that the “hook point up” orientation is one of the benefits unique to jig flies and Euro Nymphing.
Chris N,
January 21, 2023
Mercury Blood Midge | Versatility
I absolutely love this fly because it’s so versatile, it can be fished on any part of your set up at any time of the year but I like to fish it in a size 18-20 in the winter as my attractor/lead fly.
Anna on the Fly,
January 15, 2023
Top Secret Midge | Well, not so secret
So good I’ve been known to fish two at a time
Anna on the Fly,
January 09, 2023
Black Beauty | One of the best year-round flies
Small flies catching big fish
Anna on the Fly,
January 02, 2023
Poison Tung | BLUE IS THE MOST VIVID of all colors to trout
The Poison Tung has the slim profile of a midge, additional weight to get it down where the fish are sitting in the winter and most importantly the color BLUE - which excites fish and can cause aggressive strikes reminiscent of summer eats!
Anna on the Fly,
December 24, 2022
Jujubee Midge | A fly that will fool the smartest of trout and lots of fish in between!
If I see a midge hatch or see fish rising and don’t see any bugs I ALWAYS throw on a Jujubee. Sunday was no different, there was a strong hatch most of the day and nearly every other cast we had a fish on!!
Anna on the Fly,
December 20, 2022
Blood Midge | A must have winter pattern
As the temps cool trout move from from the faster, more oxygenated water to slow deep pools and in the Winter they are stacked up right where these red blood midges live. Trout become lazier than usual but trust me they are on the look out for these bright red bites of candy full of nutrients!
Anna on the Fly,
December 12, 2022
PBR | A cross between a Rainbow Warrior and a Mercury Midge?
The PBR is a great fly and I hardly ever see it at fly shows or in fly shops and I rarely hear people talk about it but it’s a secret weapon and you should definitely try it out this winter!!
Anna on the Fly,
December 02, 2022
Glo Bugs | EGGS, EGGS, EGGS!!
Bright orange is great and realistic but it’s good to have a variety of lighter oranges, peaches and light pinks. As the spawn slows down the eggs become less vibrant so lighter colors are great to use.
Anna on the Fly,
November 18, 2022
Chocolate Foam Back Emerger | It’s just THAT GOOD!!
In my top 3 favorite flies. That’s it.
Anna on the Fly,
November 12, 2022
Slim Shady Baetis | Effective and durable
This fly is trout candy - ALL DAY LONG and will last all day long because of the uncanny durability!!
Anna on the Fly,
November 05, 2022
Mercury Midge| Small but mighty
There are over 1000 different midge species & they are one of the only insects that hatch all year round, so having a stock in your fly box is important.
Anna on the Fly,
October 27, 2022
Jiggy Mini Leech | Beware of aggressive eats!
Leeches are very abundant creating a tasty snack for even the pickiest of trout some of the biggest fish I’ve caught have been on the mini leech!
Anna on the Fly,
October 21, 2022
WD-40 | A staple fly Often Overlooked
If you don’t have some- GET SOME! I recommend size 20 or 22.
Anna on the Fly,
October 13, 2022
Dura Jig | Slays all year round
I threw on a Dura Jig as my lead fly and it was great action all the way til dark!
Anna on the Fly,
October 07, 2022
Mercury Midge | Small but Mighty
The Mercury Glass bead always seems to be more productive than a standard midge. The glass bead mimics a gas bubble that insects use to emerge and trout love emerging insects because they are most vulnerable.
Anna on the Fly,
October 01, 2022
Bjorn's Flash Midge Pupa | A KILLER midge pupa pattern
I will typically fish this in a size 18 or 16 as my last fly off a dry-dropper or nymph rig so that it rides along the bottom where larva typically sit.
Anna on the Fly,
August 12, 2022
Breadcrust | One of the most underrated flies out there
A versatile fly that can imitate free-living caddis, net spinners, and cased caddis.
Anna on the Fly,
August 04, 2022
Zebra Midge Beadhead Bubbleback | Literally catches fish EVERYWHERE in ANY CONDITION
I have been using this fly as my third fly on a tag from the point fly dropping it off a foam terrestrial with one of the previous flies of the weeks as the point fly and then the zebra bubbleback as an emerger. This has proven day in and day out that this is a fly that produces.
Anna on the Fly,
July 31, 2022
Must Have Gear and Tips to Get You Started Euro-Style Nymphing
All You Need to Know to Get Started Euro-Style Nymphing
Kyle Rutten,
July 25, 2022
HDA Fav | A fly that has just been killin’ it for me this summer
Use this fly as a dry dropper, as a searcher pattern, off deep shelves and runs, to scrape the bottom for the big boys or even as an emerger - especially during a caddis hatch on the swing
Anna on the Fly,
July 21, 2022
Chubby Chernobyl | Simply a must have
A Top 3 all-time favorite.
Anna on the Fly,
July 14, 2022
