Select and Fish the Right Fly

Tips to Help You Select, Rig and Fish the Right Fly

Trout mostly eat insects and small fish. For you to catch them, your offerings generally have to resemble the real things.

To zero in on the right fly pattern for the right situation, you need a basic understanding of the different insects and their stages.

The insects trout eat are divided into different classes: mayflies (the oldest winged insects in existence, dating back roughly 370 million years; the wings of an adult look like a sail on a boat); stoneflies (big, meaty staples in many rivers); midges (usually tiny); caddis (moth-like flies that inhabit many rivers nationwide); and terrestrials (land walkers, as the name implies, like grasshoppers and ants).

To figure out what fly to fish, and when, follow these three steps… – Kirk Deeter

Read the entire article on Substack.

Madison River Baetis

“Various Baetis species emerge on the Madison every month from March through November, but their peak activity occurs in April and May, August, and October. Among these periods, the best–by far–is October (As a bonus, this is the season when fishermen are fewest). Baetis emerge in October on an everyday basis and in prodigious numbers. Since there is little other insect activity this time of year, the fish pay even more attention to these tiny mayflies than they otherwise might…”

Read the entire article on Substack.

Product Buzz

We review some RestorLine fly line products. “RestorLine makes repair kits for fly lines–products like ReLine (for nicks or cuts in line coating), ReLOOP (for welded loop repair or replacement) and LineSPLICE (for fixing a cut or broken line). Kits are sized for a range of fly lines from 3-10 weight (any type)...” Copi Vojta of TFFJ reviews the Patagonia Swiftcurrent Traverse Zip-front Waders. “The Swiftcurrent Traverse Waders are built with a comfortable fit and plenty of range of motion for scrambling around to and from your favorite honey hole…” Find a pair today @ MRFC ($549). Are LOC Waders Worth the Price? Why should someone pay $1,650 for a pair of waders? Southflyfisher reviews the Epic Trutta Model 3/4/5 Fly Reel. “Weighing in at only 106 grams (3.73 ounces), the Trutta is available in one compact size suitable for 3-to-5 weight fly lines–the perfect reel for brookies, char, masu salmon, and just like Epic’s innovative FastGlass rods, this reel brings a big dose of fun back into small stream fishing.” Grab one today from Epic Fly Rods: Trutta Hubless Fly Reel. Southflyfisher also reviews the Epic Titanium Series 890Ti Fly Rod. Grab one today from Epic Fly Rods: Epic Titanium Series 890Ti Fly Rod. A Spey Rod Built for Idaho’s Clearwater River. “The Saga setup offers a smooth, progressive action, meaning the rod gradually flexes from tip to butt as it loads during the cast. That helps new casters feel the rod loading through the casting stroke, improving their timing and loop control.” It’s that time of year when every fly-fishing brand is putting gear on sale: Simms fall stuff, Madison River Fishing Company has piles of gear on sale + the Airflo fly line sale, Epic Fly Rods have great Fly Rod & Reel Combos with awesome savings, BOTE SUP deals, Grundens End of Summer Sale, 3Bird Summer Sale, Stio Warehouse Sale.

Fly-fishing News

Check out our new Flylab Substack and the cool content over there. Hardy Fly Fishing celebrates Andy Mill’s induction into the IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame. “From his early days as an Olympic skier to his rise as a world-class saltwater fly angler, Andy Mill’s record is unmatched. He has won more invitational tarpon fly tournaments than anyone else, including multiple Gold Cup and Golden Fly events…” Philip Curry, the founder and CEO of Astral, talks about the origins behind the eco-conscious brand. “One day, in the middle of a field, I thought, ‘Can I actually preserve more water and soil by getting back into the outdoor gear business?’ I did the math and realized that by creating high-performance products from natural materials, I could potentially have a much larger impact.” From the Skwala Lounge: Guilty Pleasure Flies. “All subcultures define themselves as much by who they aren’t as who they are. But let’s be honest; we’re just using the flies as signifiers. Hating the ‘right’ flies lets you feel superior to the ‘wrong’ kind of anglers…” But those worms on Gamakatsu Trout Worm Hooks are definitely offensive, and are known to brain fish or damage their eyes. They would be good to remove from your fly box lexicon ASAP. Fly Fusion Marks 20 Years with Expanded Publishing and Digital Reach. From Chris Bird, Editorial Director: “The new digital issues extend the print magazine you know and love. They are accessible instantly, anywhere, and packed with the same award-winning photography and editorial excellence that have defined Fly Fusion from the beginning.” From Field Mag: The Most Influential Labels From Each State (everyone loves lists). “Generally speaking, the mass production of consumer goods is a net negative for the outdoors. But thoughtfully made gear that adds value to outdoor pursuits by augmenting one’s ability to meaningfully connect with nature always puts a hop in our step.” Wes Siler on How We Can Effectively Advocate For Better Public Lands Policy. “By focussing the public’s attention on stuff that actually matters, and directing it towards effective advocacy about the responsible politicians, we can fix this stuff…”

Recent Press

“Congrats on putting together such a fine website, mailer and substack in Flylab. Infinitely interesting and always click worthy.” – Tudor, The Mission

“Been loving the Flylab content–it’s in my regular rotation of fly-fishing media to check out and help keep a finger on the pulse of what’s going on.” – Kyle, Lamson Fly Fishing

On In Defense of Dry Flies: “I know you've been working this angle for years already, but it still somehow feels long overdue. Good on ya for pushing it.” – Brian, Flylab Fan

On Madison River Baetis: “An excellent article with practical tips and techniques. Great stuff!” – Michael @ Southflyfisher, Flylab Fan

We’re always looking for Flylab feedback–send any comments, thoughts, suggestions, and we’d love to hear from you.

Follow the Bubbles

“One early morning, while dry fly fishing a Trico mayfly hatch (Tricorythodes) on Montana’s Missouri River, guide Pete Cardinal checked me up, then told me to stop casting and watch the water. We were working a seam where fast water, colliding with a slow pool, was creating a foamy bubble line…”

Read the entire article on Substack.

Partner Spotlight

J. Stockard Fly Fishing

For over 20 years, J. Stockard Fly Fishing has been the go-to place for high-quality fly tying equipment, materials and supplies. Their collection includes over 15,000 materials, hooks, tools and more, including all the major brands. Located in Connecticut, J. Stockard serves tyers across the U.S., Canada, and the world. Despite being one of the largest retailers of fly tying materials and supplies, J. Stockard stays true to its roots as a family-run operation with a customer-first ethos: deep product knowledge, reliable service and an earnest respect for the craft of fly tying. @jsflyfishing

Flylab member discount: Weekly discounts on all fly-tying products.

If you’re a fly shop, outfitter, fishing lodge or outdoor brand and interested in becoming a new Flylab partner, learn more about our program here. Join the best partner network in fly fishing.

Wolves of the River: a bull trout revival and the cumulative (positive) effects of thoughtful resource management on the  Squamish River.