Guide Picks: Top 10 Sources for Killer Trout Flies

When targeting trout, selecting the right fly can make all the difference. This can depend on what bugs are biting, or what conditions you face on the river. Here’s a quick rundown of the most common trout fly categories.

Dry Flies

Dry flies mimic insects that have matured from their nymph stage, have wings, and are resting on the water's surface. Fish, often trout, will rise to the surface to eat these flies. Dry flies are most effective during a hatch, when many aquatic insects, like mayflies, stoneflies, and caddisflies, transform into winged adults.

When the fly isn't imitating an aquatic insect, it's called a terrestrial fly. These flies mimic land insects like grasshoppers, beetles, ants, and crickets, and are best fished near the banks. On the water's surface, these flies should drift naturally, appearing as vulnerable insects, unless you're using specific techniques like skating the fly.

Streamers

Streamer flies mimic small fish, minnows, crayfish, and leeches. When fly fishing for trout, popular and effective choices include sculpin pattern streamers or woolly buggers. Streamers are versatile because many predatory fish will eat baitfish, which these flies imitate in various situations. Streamers are retrieved with a "stripping" motion, creating a darting effect. This darting motion is sometimes used for surface flies, like bass poppers, to imitate frogs or mice, which belong to a different category.

Streamers are the most similar to conventional fishing lures. A cone head streamer can be used like a jig in deep water to lure large brown trout from hiding, similar to using a pig and jig for bass or a large bucktail spinner for pike.

Nymphs

Nymphs mimic the nymphal stage of aquatic insects. Like dry flies, nymph patterns become more effective during the insects' hatching period. These flies match the same species used for dry fly fishing. A dead-drifted nymph is usually preferred, fished below the surface and often beneath a strike indicator. Fly fishermen use strike indicators to detect bites from fish. However, some anglers, like euro-nymphers, use a longer rod and no indicator. Nymphing is a very effective method for catching trout, as most of their food is found below the surface.

Wet Flies

Wet flies are used underwater, mimicking insects that have been submerged. Some of these flies even dive below the surface to lay eggs. Wet flies have a long history in traditional fly fishing, with many classic patterns and recipes. They are usually fished by swinging them across a stream or current with a tight line, using either a floating or sinking fly line.

Spey flies are also swung in a similar way but belong to their own category. They are used with a larger, two-handed rod, designed to cover more water and target fish like salmon or steelhead.

Egg Patterns

Egg patterns imitate fish eggs and are effective for catching various species, especially during spawning seasons. These flies are typically used below the surface and can be very productive, as fish often target eggs as a high-protein food source. Anglers usually fish egg patterns using a dead-drift method, often below a strike indicator to detect subtle bites. Egg patterns are popular when fishing for trout, salmon, and steelhead, especially in rivers where these species spawn. They are often combined with other nymphs or attractor flies to increase their effectiveness in various fishing conditions.

Erik Clymore / Small Batch Bugs

Erik Clymore, owner and tyer behind the name Small Batch Bugs, hand ties dry flies, streamers, midges, and more to target trout and other gamefish. Learn more about his tying process on his Instagram as he goes in-depth into the techniques for creating these flies, or you can buy flies directly from his Small Batch Bugs website.

Lateral Lines Fly Tying

Fritz Miller, a.k.a. @on_thefly, hand ties large streamers, tiny euro nymphs, and everything in between to target trout in the Northeast and beyond. You can find these top-notch flies under the name Lateral Lines Fly Tying, or fish with him as he guides out of South Branch Outfitters in Califon, NJ. His streamers are ideal for those deep runs, and nymphs for pocket water prospecting throughout the Northeast.

Josh Varner / Varner Streamers

Josh’s fishing career began in Pennsylvania before he honed his craft targeting trophy brown trout in Montana. Josh Varner creates masterful streamers – from dying his hides himself to tying each meticulously crafted fly on his fly tying bench. His streamers are a favorite among anglers and fly shop owners around the country. To learn more about Josh’s quality streamers, visit the Varner’s Streamers website here.

Charlie’s Fly Box

Based out of Arvada, Colorado, Charlie’s Fly Box sells a multitude of flies for tackling trout spanning from the rivers of Washington all the way to the famed Great Lakes runs in upstate New York. Started by Charlie Craven, he has been providing flies since 2004 and sells his own patterns like the Jujubaetis and Two Bit Hooker. Check out their website for more information.

Galloup’s Slide Inn

A name renowned in the world of fly fishing, Kelly Galloup’s infamous Galloup’s Slide Inn on the banks of the Madison River in Montana can provide you with all things fly fishing. Apart from being a world-class lodge and outfitter, they sell many fly patterns from renowned anglers like Kelly himself — who literally wrote the book on tying streamers to target trophy trout out west. See their website for more information on ordering flies or booking a trip.

Beartooth Fly Fishing / Dan Delekta

Since 1982, Beartooth Fly Fishing has been operating on the Madison River of Montana. Started by renowned tyer and angler Dan Delekta, this is a full-service outfitter with top-notch equipment and guided experiences, as well as a multitude of custom-designed “Delektable” flies available for purchase. You can learn more about these custom bugs at the Beartooth Fly Fishing website.

Blue Line Flies

As a top source for versatile flies that target bass, trout, redfish, and more, Blue Line Flies services multiple fly fishing pursuits and provides quality streamer flies for anglers nationwide. With beginnings testing their flies in the warmer waters of the Southeast on trophy smallmouth bass, their patterns are tried-and-true assets for any angler’s fly box. Check out their website for your next batch of flies, and also catch some seriously entertaining on the water content on the Blue Line Flies YouTube Channel — where you can see some of their top patterns in action.

Fly Fish Food

What started as a fly tying blog in a basement in Utah has grown into a full-time crew at Fly Fish Food. This team works tirelessly to supply tying tools and top trout fly patterns to add to your trout fly box. They have a very informative YouTube channel with shops in Orem, Utah and Idaho Falls, Idaho. Check out their website for more information on tying unique patterns and getting premium supplies for fly tying at home.

Fulling Mill

With fly fishing roots from Kenya to the UK and now in New Hampshire A leader in the flies space for over 60 years, Fulling Mill has crafted stellar, versatile flies for a variety of fish species worldwide. You can learn more about their quality flies and tying patterns through their website.

Umpqua Feather Merchants

Umpqua Feather Merchants has been a staple in fly fishing since 1972, now comprising a network of over 200 guides with custom fly patterns used around the world. While their flies are not limited to just targeting trout, they are a fantastic resource for learning about the creativity of fly tyers and shopping all things fly fishing.

Success in trout fishing isn't just about having the best flies; it's about adapting to the ever-changing conditions on the water. It's time to put this knowledge into action. As you gear up for your next fishing adventure, remember that AnyCreek is here to guide you. With our expert advice and top-notch guides, we'll ensure you have everything you need for a successful and memorable experience on the water.