I recently traveled to New Zealand. In preparing for my trip, I read several articles on the fly-fishing there, each of which told me how different the fly-fishing was. Nonetheless, I talked myself into thinking that fish are fish and it couldn't be that different. Well ... I caught fish, but I could have caught a whole lot more if I had better prepared myself. The point of my story is this: If you travel to a new river in a new state or country, you had better prepare yourself.
90% of what a fish eats is brown and round; the rest is presentation. While this is true, I could tell you countless stories of fish refusing 19 different flies of all kinds, shapes, colors, etc, just to take the 20th fly because it was tied with extra small wire instead of small wire. Fly selection is a key ingredient in successful fishing, especially in Colorado.
I'm here to touch on my 10 favorite and most successful flies for Colorado, and hopefully you catch more fish as a result of this article! Some of these patterns are common and will catch fish practically anywhere. However, there are some variations of patters that I am very fond of, and I'll share 10 of them with you here on TOSFly.
Number 10
Parachute BWO
Early Spring, late fall, or any other time those picky trout are refusing your big, intimidating dry fly, this small fly is a wonderful alternative. This fly is most productive when you are forced to present to those trout in still water in an extremely delicate and inconspicuous way. I love throwing this to trout I have sighted first with 6x or 7x tippet, then watching that selective cutthroat suck down that fly ever so softly. It is productive in a variety of water bodies including lakes, streams, and rivers. Whether you have the still water or a faster current, I encourage you to throw this fly when fishing Colorado. Be careful when tying this one, however. If you don't place the wings correctly, you could face some frustrating hook sets.
Number 9
San Juan Worm
Purists, skip this selection. I try to keep it dry fly or die, but during the winter, you might as well stay in and have a beer because you're not going to catch them on dries on a consistent enough basis to make it worthwhile. So, if I'm going to break the rules, I'm at least going to catch fish. This is a great indicator fly, and when adding a double tungsten weight to the shank, you are able to get it down deep to those winter holes where the trout seem to never leave. Use this pattern in combination with a midge, and you should be golden on those winter days when nothing else seems to work. Trust me.
Number 8
Pearl Bugger
A simple pearl chord makes this brown wooly bugger deadly in Colorado. I came across this pattern one spring, when the water was running too high to fish. I weighted it down and ran it along the banks; wouldn't you know it, in three to four casts the browns started to just hammer it. It is my "go-to fly" when the flows are beyond what any normal fly can handle.
This fly is also extremely effective in deeper pools and for some mountain lake fishing. Just be sure to weight it down with some lead wire and a nice heavy bead head. Your results will be worth it.
Number 7
Stimulator
Whether it is hoppers, caddis, or leaves, fish seem to attack this thing during the summer, and it seems to look like just about everything. I have always caught a fish throwing these flies during the summer. They are great for throwing as a lead dry and dropping a nymph below. Or you can fish it my favorite way by throwing a super small hopper behind it to see some great dry fly action.
Number 6
Top Secret Midge
You are among a very privileged few considering I'm revealing this information to you given its top-secret nature. There is no secret, however, as to how many fish this pattern will catch. What I love most about this fly is its ability to catch those large, picky fish; especially during the winter. This is a great pattern tied in brown, maroon and olive. This is a money pattern.
Number 5
Gold-Ribbed Hare's Ear
It had to show up somewhere in this list. I fish this all-purpose fly whenever I don't know what the fish are feeding on because it always helps me figure out the right pattern. This fly is so versatile, you can fish it 100 different ways. After making several casts, this little fly will start producing, and it will give you a strong idea of what the fish are doing and what they are truly feeding on.
This is a must have fly in both weighted and unweighted varying sizes.
Number 4
Pheasant Tail
My uncle, Shane Freehling, claims this is the only fly he can use year-round that will ALWAYS catch fish. I think he may be right. Though the hare's ear and the pheasant tail are similar, the pheasant tail has much more definition and coloration making it a very realistic pattern the fish react to from a large distance with a competitive appetite.
When the fish are emerging, fish this like you would a streamer in small sizes without an indicator, and you will catch them by the dozens.
Number 3
Madam X
This big, bulky fly is quite the fish catcher. While most of the time smaller flies will catch fish, this fly is one of my favorites due to the size of the fish it catches. Now I've caught large fish on size #24 midges, but what's great about a size 8-10 madam x is those smaller fish cant get it in their mouths like the big browns can. I've seen voracious attacks on this fly.
I've seen a fish move from across the bank to come and get this fly. It's not about being calm and quiet with this fly; let it slap the water, let it move on the water, you'll be in for quite the show if you provide the action. The Madam X catches big fish during those warm summer days, and it never misses a show.
Number 2
Parachute Hopper
Most people define the seasons as winter, spring, summer, and fall; I describe the seasons as midge time, bwo time, hopper time, and hopper time. There is not another fly in my box (besides #1) that I wouldn't throw 100% of the time. The pattern is undeniably attractive to the fish. They must know instinctively (or by experience) that the hopper holds as much protein as it does.
I've had fish fight over this fly, jump 5 ft. out of the water for it, and chase it 30 ft. down a riffle too fast for me to stand in. This is one hatch that is easy to match. As you walk into the river, you'll see grasshoppers bouncing around your feet. Leave the rest of your flies in the car, you're only going to need the hopper in Colorado.
The trick is tying the legs so they continuously flare out away from the body as if the bug has sprung its last jump. The fish see the profile and the legs, and it is off to the races!
Number 1
CDC Caddis
I won't say it's a bug you can fish year round, but you can catch fish from May to November in Colorado on this pattern. Not only does it float well given its CDC wings, but it imitates an emerger, adult, and caddis pupa if fished correctly. I have caught more fish on a CDC caddis than any fly in my box. It is my "go-to fly" for Colorado. You can tear them up on mother's day down on the Arkansas river during the world-famous caddis hatch.
The beauty of this fly is you can tie 3 on your line in different colors, and fish them all as an adult cluster. You can also split them up: one as a dry, one as an emerger, and one as a nymph (slightly weighted to sink). The versatility, natural look, and action you get from the fly makes this fly my number one choice for flies to fish in Colorado. You can't go wrong with it if it's the right time of year.
If you're thinking about coming to Colorado, and you are looking for fly selection advice, I have others that will catch fish when all else fails. However, you are going to have 90% of your opportunities to catch fish with these flies listed above.
So pack up your gear, give me a shout, and get out here and fish Colorado!
Dry Fly or Die!
Allen Gardner
Allen Gardner is a Colorado fly fishing enthusiast who also spends a little time writing articles. He is a semi-regular contributor for TOSFly.com on topics pertaining to Colorado. Stay tuned for more of his stuff coming soon!
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