When it comes to fly fishing, I’m a disciple of the school that teaches that fly selection is less important than presentation. There is always a place for matching the hatch. More often than not? Size, silhouette, and drift win the day.

Because of this, I’ve honed in my fishing and my fly box. It is more about how than what. If I’m fishing a mountain stream or if I’m prospecting new water, I fish a Humpy, a Parachute Adams, and a Woolly Bugger over half the time. They’re my confidence flies, but they’re also flexible and adaptable for different waters and insects.

But what about the rest of the time? I haven’t performed any sort of actual data analysis. I do know that there are three other patterns that I will quickly tie on. And as you’ve probably noticed, my first list leaves off a significant type of fly. Of course, if there is hatch or some other seasonal opportunity I’ll carry what needs to be carried.  But more often than not I’ll stick to what I know and what has brought me success.

Check out why I picked those flies, and what you’ll find on the other side of my box, below:

In a previous article I posed the hypothetical question: What if you could only fish three flies? While you could take the concept in its strictest form, it is more about being purposeful in your fishing. That is why I’m adding the following flies to my Humpies, Parachute Adams, and Woolly Buggers.

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Bead Head Hare’s Ear Nymph

The hare’s ear is the quintessential nymph. Pheasant tail nymphs come in close behind it, but the hare’s ear wins because of it’s bugginess. Under a tight line, an indicator, or a dry, this fly looks a little bit like virtually everything under the water. Certain insects in certain seasons might be a little lighter or darker, bigger or smaller, but the hare’s ear is capable of approximating most underwater macroinvertebrates. And if you grease your leader and the fly? It will ride high – even with the bead.

Foam Ant

The foam ant, especially in larger (10, 12) sizes is an incredibly versatile fly. The silhouette, with its little wiry legs and fuzzy underbody, is bold for a fly of it’s weight(lessness). With a good cast, it can splat and replicate insects much larger. Fish will key in on that sound and disturbance. Floating like a cork, they can be subjected to plunges and choppy riffles over and over again. For this same reason, I prefer a dot of color on the ant’s back to help keep track of the dark pattern as it bobs about in the water. It can be an ant, a hopper, or anything else that plops.

Rubber-Legged Wire Nymph

In my opinion, this is perhaps the finest underwater attractor fly. It looks like nothing. But it has flash and movement, which trumps looking natural under plenty of circumstances. A combed-out dubbed collar adds a lot of body without sacrificing this fly’s best feature: Sinking like a stone, I’ll use it to probe deep pools. Without buoyant materials, it can find its way down quicker and more true than heavy streamers. A little action with the rod tip isn’t a bad idea either. Fish seem to hit these flies, dead drifted or twitched, just because they are there.

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What do you think?

Do you agree with my top three but these fall flat?

Let me know in the comments below!

Also, check out this podcast episode. Its all about focusing on how you’re fishing by limiting what you’re fishing.