Select, Rig and Fish the Right Fly

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

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Tim Romano’s Christmas Island Photo Essay

“Christmas Island, officially known as Kiritimati (pronounced ‘Ki-ris-mas’ in the local Gilbertese language), is a remote Pacific Ocean atoll belonging to the Republic of Kiribati. It holds the distinction of being the largest coral atoll in the world by land area, encompassing approximately 150 square miles of land and an equally vast network of lagoons. Its sheer size and isolation contribute to a unique ecosystem, making it a critical nesting site for millions of seabirds, including several million Sooty Terns.”

Check out the photo essay on Substack.

Product Buzz

Flylords was at ICAST and found some interesting new products: the Trutta Hubless fly reel stands out (it’s been out for a while), the Marsh Wear Pursuit Backpack (sized at 22L) and the Duck Camp Rockport Pro Guide Hoodie. Patagonia is putting their money where their mouth is on “worn wear,” after fully integrating secondhand products into their home page and branding. St. Croix Fly Relaunches Legend Elite and Legend Elite Salt Fly Rods: St. Croix Legend Elite and Legend Elite Salt rods are back for 2026. Designed and precision crafted with the objective of helping all anglers “rule their water,” these all-new fly rods are rolled on the original angler-favorite LE and LE Salt mandrels, but have been completely updated with new materials, technologies and components. From Hatch: The Airlite Versa Trout fly rod review (great price point, but Korean-made) and What Makes Great Pike Flies (big profiles and move well in the water). From GearJunkie: the DHUKR Human Hook Removal Tool, Magellan Outdoors Men’s Pro Angler Joggers and Anglercore: The Troutless Trend Sweeping the Streets (sigh). The Best Saltwater Wading Boots of 2025: “Saltwater wading boots provide the same benefits and have an added level of protection against corrosive saltwater compared to regular wading boots. They aren’t glamorous and certainly don’t get the same love as rods and reels. Nonetheless, they are an essential piece of saltwater fishing gear that every angler uses.”

Fly-fishing News

Check out our new Flylab Substack and the cool content over there. The Colorado River is Contaminated with Invasive Zebra Mussels. “With the discovery of additional larvae this summer, the Colorado River from Glenwood Springs to the Utah border is now considered positive for zebra mussels.” Keep Fish Wet Promotes “No Fish Dry July”: During one of the hottest months of the year, Keep Fish Wet encourages anglers to give our fish a break by keeping them wet and releasing them as quickly as possible. Administration Stands Firm: No Pebble Mine. From Bristol Bay Forever: “As the 2025 Bristol Bay fishing season closes with more than 50 million salmon returning, Bristol Bay businesses, fishermen and Tribes celebrate the Administration’s decision to defend America’s largest wild sockeye salmon fishery from legal challenges by a foreign mining company.” Road Access Update For Colorado’s Blue River: On August 1st, the Bureau of Reclamation will reopen Summit County Road 1812 near Green Mountain Dam and Powerplant to vehicles and pedestrians. Oliver White on the Mill House Podcast: “a world-renowned fly fishing guide, lodge owner, entrepreneur and conservationist whose career bridges wild rivers and Wall Street.” How to Fish Terrestrials in Late Summer: “In late summer, when traditional hatches slow, it’s ­terrestrials that keep the fish looking up. In fact, some of the biggest trout of the season often fall to a drifting terrestrial pattern. The bonus is that terrestrial fishing is laid-back. The best action coincides with wet-wading season.”

Recent Press

Great stuff on Substack: “So much ‘meh’ fly-fishing content out there. It’s nice to find a thorough, exhaustive resource with guys that know their stuff and have a strong voice in the space. Kudos to you all.” – Jason, Flylab Fan

More on Fast Rods Cover Casting Flaws: “If you can’t throw a tight loop with a slow glass or bamboo rod, you really haven’t learned how to cast. Anyone can force a cast with a fast action graphite rod. That’s why five-weight broomsticks are so popular, especially as client rods.”  – Brooks, Flylab Fan

On The Best Four Fly Reels for Trout: “Well done. Our little community needs more of this: only what we need to know and free from useless and confusing brand marketing BS. Doesn’t hurt that I’m a recent Galvan convert. Keep it coming.” – Roger, Flylab Fan

On They Ain’t from Around Here: “Miles also just wrote a ripper for @flylab.fish. One of the finest and most honest pieces I’ve ever read about our attitude toward non-native fish. And it applies to you no matter what you love to chase or where.” – Joe Cermele, Flylab Fan

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

River Etiquette While Fishing From a Boat

“Boat ramps are for launching and taking out, period. If you’re not ready to put that boat in the water and push off or move downstream almost immediately, do not get on the boat ramp. I’d say the most you should ever spend on a boat ramp is five minutes, at most. Even that’s a bit generous. Any more than that and you’re definitely doing it wrong. Conversely, when you take off do not break down your boat on the ramp. Get your goat rodeo from the day together quickly and pull up and off the ramp to pack up for the ride home.”

Read the entire article on Substack.

Partner Spotlight

LOGE Wolf Creek

LOGE Wolf Creek in South Fork, Colorado, is the ultimate basecamp for fly anglers exploring the well-known waters of the upper Rio Grande and surrounding alpine streams. Just minutes from prime fishing access, this thoughtfully updated lodge combines rustic mountain vibes with modern comforts like in-room Yeti coolers, boot dryers and a relaxing outdoor hot tub and sauna. With dog-friendly accommodations, van and RV spots and a welcoming community atmosphere, LOGE is more than a place to stay, it’s a gathering point for passionate anglers to connect, refuel at Café 430 and immerse themselves in the wild, trout-rich beauty of the San Juans.

Flylab member discount: 15% off stays at LOGE Wolf Creek and all other LOGE destinations.

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.

Swedish filmmaker, Rolf Nylinder, with a new fly-fishing diary: Recreating a Lost Forest in Northern Sweden. “The Man Who Tortures Trees is a film about a forest that Rewilding Sweden is creating on the bank of Umeälven, not far from Umeå, Sweden. It is also about the deciduous forest of the Nordic Taiga, and why a dead birch is valuable for the white backed woodpecker.”