With my recent purchase of a flyfishing pole, I would like to get some tips on what are good flies to use in Eastern, WA in the spring, summer and fall.
Looking mainly for flies to catch trout with, I've seen people catching trout successfuly fly fishing at Sprague lake.
Newbie Flyfishing
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Forum Post Guidelines: This Forum is rated “Family Friendly”. Civil discussions are encouraged and welcomed. Name calling, negative, harassing, or threatening comments will be removed and may result in suspension or IP Ban without notice. Please refer to the Terms of Service and Forum Guidelines post for more information. Thank you
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Geoffrey Ring
- Petty Officer
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- Joined: Sun Jun 17, 2007 10:37 pm
- Location: Entiat WA
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RE:Newbie Flyfishing
Hmm, well I think that the kind of water you're fishing is most important. I really don't know anything about lakes except to use chironomids when its cold... :P
But if you fish small streams and freestone rivers then I'd have to say that an Elk Hair Caddis works pretty darn well in Summer and Fall, especially if you also happen to be fishing in a forest with Spruce trees. I do most of my summer fishing up the Entiat River where Spruce Moths are breeding like mad, and an EHC size 10-16 mimics them well. Add a pheasant tail nymph dropper and you shouldn't have a problem catching 'bows in those kinds of rivers.
I have also started using a Bomber when chasing brookies with great success. *note* I just googled 'Bomber fly' and I couldn't find a picture of it. So here's a link to a wonderful forum with a post that has pictures and a recipe for it.
http://smallstreams.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=2926
Other then that, I mostly just fish hair-wing duns and thorax duns in the color of whatever is hatching. =/
Hope that helped! I'm sure there'll be posts pretty soon with a wider selection than I use.^^
But if you fish small streams and freestone rivers then I'd have to say that an Elk Hair Caddis works pretty darn well in Summer and Fall, especially if you also happen to be fishing in a forest with Spruce trees. I do most of my summer fishing up the Entiat River where Spruce Moths are breeding like mad, and an EHC size 10-16 mimics them well. Add a pheasant tail nymph dropper and you shouldn't have a problem catching 'bows in those kinds of rivers.
I have also started using a Bomber when chasing brookies with great success. *note* I just googled 'Bomber fly' and I couldn't find a picture of it. So here's a link to a wonderful forum with a post that has pictures and a recipe for it.
http://smallstreams.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=2926
Other then that, I mostly just fish hair-wing duns and thorax duns in the color of whatever is hatching. =/
Hope that helped! I'm sure there'll be posts pretty soon with a wider selection than I use.^^
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Anglinarcher
- Admiral
- Posts: 1831
- Joined: Thu May 03, 2007 1:28 pm
- Location: Eastern Washington
RE:Newbie Flyfishing
The options are limitless, and it really does depend on what water you are fishing. If you are fishing lakes, look into snow cones (chironomids), leach patterns, minnow patterns, and dragon and damsel fly nympths. There are dozens of flies that fit the above types, no hundreds, but that will get you started in the right direction.
For leaches, try mohair leach patterns, sparce wolley buggers, etc. For................
Get back to us on what type of water you intend to fish. I bet I have two dozen fly boxes, mostly full, tied to match the hatch over the last 40+ years, and I probably don't have 5 that are the same type or size. Sure, I can match almost anything, but I'd sure hate to figure out the cost I have dumped into it.
For leaches, try mohair leach patterns, sparce wolley buggers, etc. For................
Get back to us on what type of water you intend to fish. I bet I have two dozen fly boxes, mostly full, tied to match the hatch over the last 40+ years, and I probably don't have 5 that are the same type or size. Sure, I can match almost anything, but I'd sure hate to figure out the cost I have dumped into it.
Too much water, so many fish, too little time.
RE:Newbie Flyfishing
K,
I'm assuming that you are going to buy flies rather than tie them. First figure out what lake or stream that you intend to fish. Then find a fly shop that is local and close to the fishery. These folks know what works in their areas. Ask them for the 5 best flies to use in their area and buy 3 of each. You'll only be out 20 bucks and will have what you need for the area. If you spend a little money they will tell you the right flies to use and how and where to use them. If you just walk in and ask "whats a good fly and where's the fishing hot" without spending a little money they'll tell you that the fish are biting on most anything and send you to the local ditch where they send all of the free loaders. Most of us on the boards can tell you the names of flies to use but you may have to go through a dozen or more patterns before you hit the right one for the area, but the local fly guys have their fisheries dialed in.
I'm assuming that you are going to buy flies rather than tie them. First figure out what lake or stream that you intend to fish. Then find a fly shop that is local and close to the fishery. These folks know what works in their areas. Ask them for the 5 best flies to use in their area and buy 3 of each. You'll only be out 20 bucks and will have what you need for the area. If you spend a little money they will tell you the right flies to use and how and where to use them. If you just walk in and ask "whats a good fly and where's the fishing hot" without spending a little money they'll tell you that the fish are biting on most anything and send you to the local ditch where they send all of the free loaders. Most of us on the boards can tell you the names of flies to use but you may have to go through a dozen or more patterns before you hit the right one for the area, but the local fly guys have their fisheries dialed in.
Life's short - fish hard!
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deepbuzzer
- Petty Officer
- Posts: 98
- Joined: Wed Aug 15, 2007 11:15 am
- Location: Spokane, WA
RE:Newbie Flyfishing
Go to a fly shop or a good sporting goods store and buy a book talking about the waters you want to fish..
the best way to learn is also trial and error, so you learn to make your own jugements on what to use by what conditions you are dealing with on the lake or stream you are fishing. And still take the information here from all the guys to help you in your quest to be a fly fishermen,,, but first off you need to practice, practice and practice to be a good caster to enjoy the sport. More people quit not because they cannot fiqure out what fly to use but how poorly they cast..
IMHO...
Idaho-fishhead
the best way to learn is also trial and error, so you learn to make your own jugements on what to use by what conditions you are dealing with on the lake or stream you are fishing. And still take the information here from all the guys to help you in your quest to be a fly fishermen,,, but first off you need to practice, practice and practice to be a good caster to enjoy the sport. More people quit not because they cannot fiqure out what fly to use but how poorly they cast..
IMHO...
Idaho-fishhead
Last edited by Anonymous on Mon Apr 13, 2009 11:43 am, edited 1 time in total.
RE:Newbie Flyfishing
Besides the Elk Hair Caddis, Adams, and Mosquitos are good "Anytime" Eastern Washington flies to have on hand (about size 16). I've consistently fished Adams all my life and they almost always get a rise, but you have to pay attention to the hatch if you really want to get into the thick of it. Try checking out washingtonflyfishing.com. Lots of good info for the flyfisherman on that board. Tight lines.
Last edited by Anonymous on Mon Apr 13, 2009 11:55 am, edited 1 time in total.