The Best Dry Fly Patterns

All beginning fly fishermen often wonder what are the best dry fly patterns. It is a conversation that could go on forever, and believe me I have been in some conversations on this topic that seem to. I like to break it down to five dry fly patterns that no fly fisherman should be without.

The first pattern is the Adams. This fly was originally designed to imitate a caddis, but is a much better mayfly imitation. Personally I prefer the parachute style in many different sizes. The Adams has a gray body that imitates most mayflies and is a great attractor pattern. Many times I will fish this pattern in the fast water in hopes of enticing a strike.

Next is an elk hair caddis. Caddis flies make up a large portion of a trout's diet and this is the most consistent pattern to imitate them. The great feature about this pattern is that there is no wrong way to fish it. Whether you are fishing it on a dead drift or swinging it across the water it will produce. The pattern is also a very high floating pattern that makes it easy to see when fishing faster water.

Mayfly spinners patterns are also a must have. Spinner falls create some of the most exciting fishing a fly fisherman will ever witness. Rusty spinners in different sizes will match this occurrence. All mayflies have a spinner phase so without a few rusty spinners you will miss out on some fantastic fishing.

Next is a stimulator. Stimulators imitate nothing in particular, but look like a lot of different things. Personally I like to think they imitate adult stoneflies, but they could easily be looked at as imitating grasshoppers, large caddis or hellgrammites. A stimulator is a great attractor pattern that often leads to viscous strikes. They are another high floating pattern and are my go to fly in fast water.

Finally is a royal coachman. This is another attractor fly that somewhat resembles a mayfly, but I've never seen one that looks like a coachman. A royal coachman works great in pocket or fast water. Also it can be fished dry or wet, I know this is supposed to be about dry flies, but flies sink and sometimes a royal coachman is more deadly below the surface.

All of these patterns have stood the test of time for one reason, they catch fish! Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned fly fisherman these patterns are a must to own and if you are a seasoned fly fisherman without these patterns, well what have you been waiting for.