5 Must Have Flies

[Pescatore]

I'm a newb to fly fishing-- all of my fly fishing has been confined to surf fishing to date. I'm hoping to venture into the eastern sierras this summer, and upon review of the available flies am overwhelmed by the hundreds if not thousands of different patterns out there. I'm intrigued by the One Fly Surf tournaments where (if you're not familiar with the format) everyone brings one fly, drops them into a bag and then blindly selects one fly to fish with for the entire tournament. My question is, if you could only take 5 different flies along with you on a trip to the Sierras, what would your choices be? Curious to see your responses.

[silverlaker]

Only five?!! I'm assuming I can bring only five patterns - but can have multiple sizes for each pattern. The normal disclaimers about specific water, time of year, etc. aside, I guess I'd do something like this:
1. parachute adams or an h&L variant
2. parachute ant
3. stimulator or an elk hair caddis
4. bh pheasant tail
5. a soft hackle or midge pattern. okay... to keep it at five I'd do the soft hackle.

I guess that's not exactly five

[WanderingBlues]

Top 5

#5- PT Flashback in various wire wraps and sizes from #14-20.
#4- Copper John in various colors and sizes from #14-20 (red, brown, and purple amongst my favorites)
#3- Elk Hair Caddis. I prefer a hi-vz and will carry from #14-22.
#2- Stimmies, usually rubber legged, sometimes with wings. That way if the legs or wings are not the ticket, I can pluck them off. Siz #10-16, all colors.

and #1...
The Parachute Adams in all sizes, from #12-20. I prefer Hi-viz, but also absolutely love the Purple Haze version. For me, it's a great all-purpose fly for prospecting.

[Pescatore]

Only five?!! I'm assuming I can bring only five patterns - but can have multiple sizes for each pattern. The normal disclaimers about specific water, time of year, etc. aside, I guess I'd do something like this:
1. parachute adams or an h&L variant
2. parachute ant
3. stimulator or an elk hair caddis
4. bh pheasant tail
5. a soft hackle or midge pattern. okay... to keep it at five I'd do the soft hackle.

I guess that's not exactly five

to clarify (sorry) I meant five patterns-thanks for your input

[RichardCullip]

For me it would be two dry flies, two nymphs and a streamer

1) Parachute Adams
2) Stimulator
3) Hare's Ear
4) Zebra Midge
5) Woolly Bugger

[Papasequoia]

1) Sierra Nevada Pale Ale
2) Fat Tire
3) Moose Drool
4) Lagunitas IPA
5) Old Rasputin

Oh wait, I think I'm in the wrong thread.

[1mocast]

If you are just starting out on Sierra Trout flies, try these for starters. Better yet, go to Steve Ojai's page with their nice tying instructions.

1) Para Adams (Slow waters)
2) EHC / Foam variant (Fast waters)
3) BH Flashback Pheasant tail
4) BH Flashback Hares Ear
5) Woolly Bugger

All in different sizes and colors. Just modify the fly to match the hatch...Such as clip the PT tail off for a midge or clip the hackle off the PA for an emerger...

[Bajacamp]

I usually have luck with these flies.
1. Adams
2. Prince Nymphs, no bead
3.Copper Johns
4.Woolly Buggers
5.Elk Hare Caddis

[Bajacamp]

Pescatore, what would be your 5 go to flies in the surf.....

[DrCreek]

Five? Wow. Five is a gift. I can pare it down to two (for the Eastern Sierra) for you...

Standard Adams with upright wings.
Hares Ear Nymph - unweighted.

[Pescatore]

Pescatore, what would be your 5 go to flies in the surf.....

Its funny...I have tied several different patterns but I always without fail end up fishing a clouser, and usually in olive/white or chartreuse / white- I just tied some rats (supposed to imitate a ghost shrimp ) so I'll give those a try next time

[Flatsix]

Micro Mayfly size 18 w/large bead head
Parachute Adams Indicator
Deer Hair Caddis
Hares Ear Bead Head with flash
SanJuan Worm (I'm aware that it's a piece of yarn on a hook but I keep them for those days when nothing else works)

[Pescatore]

thanks for all your input! keep em coming

[Pescatore]

Pescatore, what would be your 5 go to flies in the surf.....

Its funny...I have tied several different patterns but I always without fail end up fishing a clouser, and usually in olive/white or chartreuse / white- I just tied some rats (supposed to imitate a ghost shrimp ) so I'll give those a try next time

I should add, I'm very new to saltwater fly tying as well

[flybob]

My Go To's

1. 50/50 Spongebob
2. O' Crap
3, Llama Hair Emerger
4. BBHBHP
5. the ZUG