IvyThicket
Senior Member
Just KISS it. (Keep it simple, stupid)
So many fly fisherman today have complicated the sport altogether. Contrary to popular belief, you don't need $500 rods, a $200 waist pack, $100 nippers and a fly box for every fly that exists.
Go into a fly shop and grab a handful of BH (Bead head) Hares Ear's, BH Pheasant Tails, BH Woolly Bugger, Parachute Adams and some Elk Hair Caddis and you'll have every fly you'll ever need to catch any fish in any stream.
As for size, always err on the smaller side. That goes with tippet and leaders as well. Stick with 5x and smaller.
Also, I've ditched the split shot. It sounds crazy I know but it makes a big difference. I learned long ago that if you drop a fly in the water by accident, no matter how small, it sinks instantly. So I started reducing drag with smaller tippet or just building the weight into my flies with tungsten beads or wrap. Not adding artificial weight to your line really allows for much more natural movement of the fly itself.
With all that said, it's as simple as it gets. Grab a 9ft 6x fluorocarbon leader and tie a size 16 BH hares ear to the end of it.
So many fly fisherman today have complicated the sport altogether. Contrary to popular belief, you don't need $500 rods, a $200 waist pack, $100 nippers and a fly box for every fly that exists.
Go into a fly shop and grab a handful of BH (Bead head) Hares Ear's, BH Pheasant Tails, BH Woolly Bugger, Parachute Adams and some Elk Hair Caddis and you'll have every fly you'll ever need to catch any fish in any stream.
As for size, always err on the smaller side. That goes with tippet and leaders as well. Stick with 5x and smaller.
Also, I've ditched the split shot. It sounds crazy I know but it makes a big difference. I learned long ago that if you drop a fly in the water by accident, no matter how small, it sinks instantly. So I started reducing drag with smaller tippet or just building the weight into my flies with tungsten beads or wrap. Not adding artificial weight to your line really allows for much more natural movement of the fly itself.
With all that said, it's as simple as it gets. Grab a 9ft 6x fluorocarbon leader and tie a size 16 BH hares ear to the end of it.
