St. Vrain Angler

presents:

General Fly Selection Information

Flies are designed to fool trout and fulfill fly fishing dreams. Time spent on the water chasing wild fish is fun! It takes us to beautiful places and refreshes our soul. Fly fishing is a good thing.

Fly patterns have several types of designs. Dave Whitlock refers to them as concepts of imitation.

Fly designers and tiers use various observations when tying flies. They are size, action, texture, shape and color.

I am of the opinion that the key element to a fly pattern is that the fly be visible to the fish and presented in the proper manner. While fly patterns are important, and exact imitation in the wrong spot in the water will not hook a fish when a suggestive blob of fur and feather in the right spot at the right time has a chance.

Seasons & Flies

In general bugs range from small and dark to large are light. The key is to observe bugs on the water you fish and get to know their shape, size and so on so you can tie or buy flies that will work.

In Colorado seasons are defined by length of daylight and temperature. Elevation has an influence on both. Basically, we go from short, cold days to long warm ones.

During short cold days the bugs most readily available to trout in streams are small and dark.

During long warm days all types of bugs are available to trout. Many are large and light.

Winter Flies

In Colorado and the Rocky Mountain West winter means cold, wind - at times, snow and trout fishing in tailwater fisheries.