Need Advice on Fly Selection.

[munkinstein]

Hello All,

First of all, I've been a long-time lurker of this board and have gathered some amazing advice that has paid off on many of my fishing adventures. I signed up so that as I become a better angler I can give back, and also so I could share some of my catches with the fine folks on these boards. I recently purchased my first fly fishing rod, a Redington Classic Trout 5wt. It came highly recommended and it seems like a decent rod. I also got some very good line, who knew fly line could be so expensive, but I'm sure that it will help me with my casting, but I digress. My question is this; I'm rather intimidate by the amount of flies that are out there, and right now I currently own a grand total of none. I will be fly fishing mostly in Zone 16 for Brook, Brown, the odd Rainbow, and in the late spring/early summer I will be attempting to catch some Perch on the fly as I don't see too many people doing that, and really, they are a darn tasty fish. The rivers I will be fishing are mostly the well known Lake Erie tributaries and some lesser known creeks and streams that I have found hold trout and off the beaten track. I would love to know what types of flies would be good to start me off in this art. Or, point me in the right direction with regards to reading material that has helped you out. I will be joining the local fly fishing club and I have found a local gentleman who will be tying the flies for me and has provided a good price. I would assume for the fish species I plan on targeting I would need a bunch of nymphs, dry flies, and maybe some small minnow imitating flies, for the Perch, in sizes ranging from 8 - 24. But because of the amount of flies there are, and the regional entomology, I do not know which to have made. Any advice will be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

 

[Joel52]

But because of the amount of flies there are, and the regional entomology, I do not know which to have made.

Bingo - this is where you start. It's really about the waters you fish and the insect cycles. Learn the different cycles and you'll be successful. There are usually publications for the more popular rivers, and the local clubs may even have charts available to members.
Here's an example - http://www.grandrivertroutfitters.com/river/hatch/
Do a little research for the rivers and streams you plan on targeting and you should have a good start.

 

[[email protected]]

for the most part, bead head hares ear nymphs, prince nymphs, wooly buggers, stone flies, san juan worms and egg patterns in various sizes and colours is usually a good place to start. as well, usually bass pro or sail has a hatch chart for different river systems throughout the year

 

[Madriverfisher]

Joels right read hatch chats and do your best to match the hatch for dry fly fishing but even then there are so many variables like weather wind and water temp but some examples of go to dries are caddis be it hair for CDC blue winged olive is another go to fly also have cahilll grey foxes brown drakes just to name a few jmatt covered nymphs so I'm goona leave that and redington make great rods I have one as well and are great good luck Just be warned its highy adictive

 

[AaronKrick]

for the most part, bead head hares ear nymphs, prince nymphs, wooly buggers, stone flies, san juan worms and egg patterns in various sizes and colours is usually a good place to start. as well, usually bass pro or sail has a hatch chart for different river systems throughout the year

Perfect description. Grindstone angling is the best place to buy flies. It's in waterdown. They have a website with the address, etc. great guys there, they will pick out perfect flies.

 

[[email protected]]

Perfect description. Grindstone angling is the best place to buy flies. It's in waterdown. They have a website with the address, etc. great guys there, they will pick out perfect flies.

also check out reelflies, can't really beat their prices

 

[AaronKrick]

also check out reelflies, can't really beat their prices

Do they have a website? Never heard of them.

 

[Madriverfisher]

Ya there a web based fly company out of london Ontario all there flies are tied locally there great all the hosts of the new fly fisher use them I buy from all the time and am always happy with there work and schnip has pretty much bought the entire selection of flys from them

 

[schnip]

great service--fast shiping and good quality stuff...

 

[[email protected]]

i've heard nothing but good things about reelflies, going to order my first batch next month for the spring run. website is here http://www.reelflies.ca/ they accept paypal as well which is very nice

 

[AaronKrick]

i've heard nothing but good things about reelflies, going to order my first batch next month for the spring run. website is here http://www.reelflies.ca/ they accept paypal as well which is very nice

Thanks, i'll give them a try in the spring.

 

[schnip]

they also have starter kits---like the best fles for trout etc---i would humbly suggest that if you buy a starter kit triple up on the flies in the kit--like add them to the order as you will lose them and from my little experience nothing says poop more that losing a single fly that you enjoyed using with no replacement on hand...the flie there are cheap and all tied by local guys---the owner who i have had the pleasure of doing business with in another field is a great guy--its a family gig--they rock--like i said if you order the shipment will arrrive within days--its great--odering flies to look at is my specialty so trust me on this one

 

[[email protected]]

my only question about them is if they will make them in larger sizes like 8-10, only seeing sizes 12-16

 

[schnip]

if you ask for them they will accomodate i believe--however there are other options like clusters that look like roe sacks

 

[[email protected]]

i just emailed them, hopefully have an answer this week sometime lol

 

[schnip]

cann thier toll free number they will answer---they are good like that

 

[[email protected]]

im patient, i can wait, not like im putting an order together right now

 

[mauro]

also check out reelflies, can't really beat their prices

thanks for the link! i may stop tieing flies all together. these seem pretty good for most fishing i do except dries for brown trout where i get really picky about how they are tied. even there i may try some of the dries given the incredible prices.

 

[Madriverfisher]

There dries are great I have had no problem with them I do a lot of brown trout fishing and they preform well I still will tie the odd one but for there prices you really cant go wrong and there always adding new flies

 

[flyXing]

also check out reelflies, can't really beat their prices

i've ordered from reel flies, they are very good

anther site you might want to check out is streamflies

good quality 50 cent flies and large selection
i usually order bulk from them for my friends and i, and fill in any gaps in specifics from reelflies

good thing about stream flies is free shipping after 25 dollars (use to be always free shipping)

never had issue w/ customs or anything like that with ~30 dollar orders

fX