Best Flies for Trout Fishing

The Chubby Chernobyl is likely the most popular hopper imitation and for good reason. It does a great job attracting trout and floats high on the water which makes it perfect for a dry dropper rig. Its effectiveness tends to be limited from early summer through fall, but maintains its usefulness with the dry dropper rig for longer than this window.

The Stimulator is one of the buggiest dry fly patterns out there. The fly can imitate stoneflies, caddis flies, hoppers, and likely other options on the trout's menu. Much like the hopper patterns, the stimulator is a great choice to grab the attention of trout and float a dry dropper rig. Sizes 12 and 14 are the most common options but anglers can go bigger or smaller in niche situations.

The Elk Hair Caddis is another buggy fly that appeals to the trout's curiosity even outside of the standard caddis hatches. Moths can find their way on to the water throughout much of the country. These are especially prevalent in the high alpine lakes of the rockies during the summer months.

From the largest tailwater trout streams to the small freestone river and creeks tucked high in the mountains, midges will be a staple in any trout's diet. When the fish start to rise, especially in the cooler month, a midge imitation is a great place to start when you aren't able to accurately identify what the trout are eating.

Like the midge, Adams patterns can also be a great starting place when you find yourself in front of actively feeding trout and can't quite pin point what they are eating. The many adams variations are great at imitating the various stages of hatching and mature mayflies from emergers to spinners.

The pheasant tail and the hares ear are likely the most recommended nymphs for beginners and for good reason. These patterns can imitate any number of aquatic insects which trout have a hard time passing on. Size is likely less important than weight. Proper weighting is determined by the depths and current speed you find yourself fishing.

The Perdigon certainly isn't the prettiest pattern, but its simplicity is the secret to its success. While you're not necessarily trying to match the hatch perfectly, the perdigon and its variants are made to get down to where the trout live and eat. When targeting finicky or lethargic trout, there is no better option out there.

A must have on any tailwater trout stream the zebra midge has kept many of fly anglers from going home skunked since its creation. Though it's prowess as a tailwater fly is second to none, don't overlook the zebra midge on freestone streams, especially in the colder weather months. 

The Rainbow Warrior is a perfect combination of flash and finesse. The flash can draw the curiosity of the trout while the smaller profile keeps from spooking pressured or finicky trout. While the fly isn't as tried and true as the pheasant tail and hares ear, the Rainbow Warrior continues to produce at times when other flies can't.

Like the Perdigon, the simplicity of the Walt's Worm is what makes it so effective. Whether it is imitating a caddis pupae or just seems buggy enough to the trout to be a good meal, its compact nature and small profile make it an excellent option for finicky and selective trout. 

Deadly on stocked trout and wild trout alike, there is no question that junk flies are responsible for landing more trout than any other patterns around. Squirmy worms, san juan worms, mop jigs, y2ks, glo bugs, and similar patterns that put make any fly fishing purist cringe are deadly when the circumstances arise. These patterns work year round, with winter being best for the egg imitations, and high water being optimal for mops and worms.

A staple for any fly angler fishing for predators on the stream or in lakes, the clouser does a great job of duping hungry and territorial trout.

The Woolly Bugger and its countless variations are the do-it-all of the fly box. Leeches, crawfish, minnows, etc... its best not to wonder what the trout think they are or why they eat them, just know they will get eaten not only by the trout, but anything else that swims. Stripped, swung, or dead drifted the Woolly Bugger is the most effective streamer out there.

An effective alternative to the woolly bugger during periods of high or dirty water.

Somewhat of a niche pattern, but when the day calls for bouncing or rolling a sculpin along the bottom there is little more effective for trout.

Whether using dumbbell eyes or a jighead, the kreelex minnow can imitate any small prey fishes in the streams. From shiners, fry, or even sculpin this flashy fly can be tied in various sizes to best appeal to bigger predators.