Catch More Trout With Flies That Match Your Exact Fishing Conditions In Colorado

Adams

Imitates: General mayflies, midges and even caddis

Why you need it in your tackle box: The high floating tail with the lightly dubbed body & the grizzly hackle provide a realistic wing that trout love to strike on. One of the most popular, versatile & effective dry flies since its creation. A true classic attractor that resembles a lot of different food sources so gets a lot of looks.

Parachute Adams

Imitates: Emerging or drowning mayflies

Why you need it in your tackle box: Like the standard Adams fly, the Parachute Adams works well because it is a general mayfly imitation, yet it's versatile enough to be successful as an attractor pattern when there isn't a specific hatch happening on the surface. The difference is that it has a vertical post or "parachute" & sits lower in the water, imitating an emerging or drowning insect. You can catch trout in any season with this one.

Copper John

Imitates: Nymph stage of mayflies; stoneflies, caddis

Why you need it in your tackle box: This is THE Colorado fly - it was invented by John Barr in Boulder as a very purpose-built fly. With it's relatively heavy weight & thin profile, the Copper John descends fast in the water & is often used as a dropper fly in a hopper-dropper combination. This will be your go-to fly in discoloured water. Use the smaller sizes for Fall & Spring with the larger sizes in the Summer. You'll catch fish in all types of water & circumstances with this one.

Elk Hair Caddis

Imitates: Adult caddis

Why you need it in your tackle box: This is one of the most iconic caddis patterns in existence for a reason—it gets bites. You can fish this pattern so many ways. Used primarily as a dry fly, the Elk Hair Caddis has great buoyancy which allows it to float high & sit on the water film just like an adult Caddis or Stonefly. But you can also try it half drowned like a popper, or fish it wet just under the surface. The high riding position in faster waters provides a great trigger.

Stimulator

Imitates: Large stoneflies as well as adult caddis, grasshoppers & large mayflies

Why you need it in your tackle box: The high, wide wings gives this fly the impression of bulk & movements while the short, flared tail keeps the back end riding high which proves to be an irresistible combination for trout. This pattern is commonly considered the ultimate attractor because it has the ability to resemble many things, not just Stoneflies. This unique ability is what makes it so deadly—and even more deadly when fished with a wet fly dropped off the hook.

Rainbow Warrior

Imitates: Emerging caddis, mayflies or midges

Why you need it in your tackle box: It's a flashy bug that gets attention. When nothing else is working, this is often the fly that will stop you from getting skunked all day. It's a versatile attractor pattern you can fish wet or dry any time of year. It works well in difficult tailwaters and streams with selective trout.