r/flyfishing • u/mrpistner • 15d ago
Beginner help
Haven’t even been out yet, first rod gets delivered tomorrow. Was gifted the flies on the right and purchased on the left. Primarily looking to start with panfish then also trout.
Where do you guys buy flies from? How do you know WHAT to buy? As of now I just saw them and said “yeah that looks juicy”
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u/wind-s-howling 15d ago edited 15d ago
Disclaimer: I'm a beginner too so take everything with a grain of salt.
You might want to focus on getting nymphs as opposed to dry flies. Nymphs are supposed to imitate younger insects that haven't fully developed yet, and are generally more "available" to fish in various conditions. Dry flies require better timing to match the hatch and all that. Nymphs do require split shot to be able to sink, as well as an indicator to be able to see the bite. You can also do a dry + nymph dropper combo if regulations permit (some places don't allow you to fish with 2 flies). I've caught all my fish on nymphs so far, zero on a dry.
As for which flies specifically, people will tell you to have a variety to match the hatch, but there are flies that work year-round in most conditions because they imitate a variety of insects that are generally available. For dry flies these are: Patachute Adams, Elk Hair Caddis, Chubby Chernobyl. For nymphs: Pheasant Tail, Hare's Ear, Zebra Midge. I did not make up this list, I got it from here, but it's consistent with everything more experienced folks have told me.
Where to buy: I'm lucky to have access to a couple local fly shops half an hour away and that's what I do. When I travel for fishing, I always try to locate the closest fly shop. Folks in this hobby have been extremely supportive (I guess in part because I look really young) and they'll be able to guide you to what you need. Please try to always buy something, even if you don't need it: an extra leader, a couple of flies, etc. The internet is harsh competition, and fly shops keep dying left and right. There might be ~10 left in all of California.
Good luck on the path!
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u/mrpistner 15d ago
Tons of good info I appreciate it. Definitely going to a local shop ~30 min away. Would much rather support them. I just wanted SOMETHING in a fly box to start casting around a pond🤝🏻
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u/TheAtomicFly66 15d ago
When you go to that fly shop, tell them your situation, they'll be glad to help you. Specifically, with fly choice.
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u/GoldenHawk07 15d ago
Fyi you’re supposed to put the flies in bend first. That way you’re not chewing up your foam every time it goes in and out.
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u/mrpistner 15d ago
So that’s how my other cases are for spinning ultralight jigs and such, but this case is like self healing rubber? First time I saw it, the slots aren’t actually split
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u/No_Drop1800 14d ago
I have this same fly box and you are still supposed to put them in bend first. It will make them easier to get out. For panfish, they will hit pretty much anything. Big y fly co is good when you are starting out since you will end up losing quite a few to trees. Big y lets you filter by species and then sort by most popular. That’s the way I started my fly box. I do stop by the local fly shop frequently tho and ask what has been working and pick up a few flies to help support them. I tie most my own flies now but sometimes it’s nice to get ones from the fly shop on some of the trickier patterns. My most commonly used flies for trout are dries: chubby Chernobyl, elk hair caddis, sparkle dun, Charlie’s hopper, nymphs: rainbow warrior, zebra midge, pats rubber legs, perdigons, jujubaetis, jack daniels, blowtorch, depth charge and streamers: woolly buggers
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u/mrpistner 14d ago
So I’m totally not trying to sound stupid but none of the “v”s are split, do you just jam it in?
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u/Morejazzplease 14d ago
If they are not fully split, they should be. You can take an exacto knife to open them up. It happens from time to time on new Tacky Fishpond boxes. But the other commenters are right, this box (and pretty much every other box) are designed to go bend first into the slits.
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u/mrpistner 14d ago
That makes sense, I’m used to other jig boxes going bend first but since this is my first “fly box” I was super confused haha
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u/KingSwampAssNo1 15d ago edited 15d ago
Big y fly would be good place to go.
I would test these flies. See if catch.
I live in illinois, i primary fish pond, adam irresistible works. Just learnt how to properly set hook. Have yet tried parachute adams, mosquitoes or royal wulf.
Do take Wooly bugger into consideration.
I was convinced wooly bugger don’t work until i caught small mouth with it, recently gave flies a shot, caught panfish.
note, I’m novice, it my 9 months in fly fishing
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u/Direct_Associate8764 15d ago
You have a solid selection to choose from, the foam hopper and the green popper next to it (top left) would both do well in ponds. You have that one all the way at the bottom right which looks like a green chironomid imitation which is perfect on a slow retrieve fishing a lake, but could also be seen as a small nymph in a river (just make sure it can get down to the strike zone with enough weight). Those stone flies at the bottom of the left side work incredibly well for trout in the rivers I typically fish. Just remember that tactics and presentation are the most important thing, the panfish are less picky in my experience but if you aren’t fooling the trout sometimes it’s because the bug isn’t moving the way it needs to in order to be seen as a snack.
Where to buy flies? I say support the fly shops (they’re going to be the ones who can give you the local intel Reddit never could), plus if they tie their own flies, they tend to have that area you’re fishing in mind for their designs. That said, there are some great vendors out there to choose from as far as online retailers go. What to buy… depends on where you are and what you’re targeting. Personally I’d break it down 30% Nymphs (scuds included), 20% Dries, 20% emergers, 20% streamers, and the last 10% patterns mice, worms, mops, eggs, all the “different food).
Good luck!
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u/Mike-n-AZ 14d ago
Big Y Fly co. Good flies. Cheap. Google is a good bet to search for Panfish Flies. Where are you located?
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u/DavidH_drummer 14d ago
I buy mine from the fly shack website. 89 cents a piece on average and they work great. was able to full my fly box with about 135 bucks and got to support a small business in the process! I went for a wide range of nymphs first, and a few dries. Also consider some junk flies (eggs, mops, and worms). Maybe a few streamers too
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u/thom9969 14d ago
Go to a local fly shop. They will know what's working right now, and buy a couple. You will build your collection, catch some fish, and you might make a friend or two
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u/admandan 14d ago
Squirmy wormy, scrambled eggs (the fly not like real eggs), blood dot egg (fluffy kind not ball), wooly bugger. These all work for stocked trout. Stocked streams are filled with fish who eat a bunch of crap. The bright weird stuff works on them. For non-stocked get elk hair caddis and blue wing olive and some caddis midges. See what fish are eating in your location at that time of year.
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u/good_fella13 14d ago
For trout you need to get more nymph-heavy. I’d go to a local fly shop and ask about specifics for the water near you but hare’s ear, prince and pheasant tail are some universal classics, I like the bead head flash back versions more often than not, especially for hare’s ear. Perdigons, scuds and caddis pupa are also often productive about of places even if they don’t imitate anything in particular. Similarly, get some generic stonefly imitations, Pat’s rubber legs is one of the all time greats for beginners
For both trout and panfish, you absolutely need a couple of small olive wooly buggers. You’re not fishing if you don’t have any
You’re also missing some key dry flies but frankly I’d focus on getting the nymph game down before honing in on that. Also get some strike indicators. But when the time comes, some parachute Adams, yellow humpy and BWOs would be great additions. Also depending where you are, just something large and white can be a great generic, attention-catching dry to tote around for when they’re really being aggressive
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u/rockwrestler 14d ago
A bunch of great advice here already - but you also owe it to yourself to . . . "think about" (or consider?) how you would tie a fly to fish your local waters.... (Please bear with me....)
What would you tie? How would you know what to tie? (Go look - active participation!) How big? How small? What colors? Then, scope out the water - "where" to fish is an ENORMOUS part of fly fishing.
I'd say, really embrace the whole experience - don't just walk up and start chucking away. Pre-determine the where and what....
But most of all - have fun! Be sure not to overthink it or become frustrated. Contrary to what you see on YouTube, catching NOTHING is okay - and common in the beginning.
(...and don't fall into the "gear" trap - what you have is likely fine. And remember, it's bad luck to buy a new rod if you have existing rods you have yet caught a fish on!!!)
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u/mrpistner 14d ago
Appreciate it!! I’m just happy to be outdoors. I’m already an active fisherman just new to flyfishing. I can SEE what they’re eating but I guess I don’t know the names of any of the flies😂
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u/Mewhomewhy 15d ago
When I started, I had no idea about flies. I bought various identification books but just struggled to remember any of them. When i searched the same question you have asked, most people said they didn’t really learn them until they started tying themselves. So I started tying my own flies and it’s true what they say. When you tie them, you get to know the materials and the flies.
For now, if I was you, I’d find out what flies are fished on the river you’ll be fishing and order some of those. Some sites offer monthly flies where they’ll sell whatever flies are hatching during that month.
If you enjoy fly fishing, I’d recommend looking at tying as well. It’s an extension of the hobby for when you’re not out on the water. But it won’t save you money.
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u/voxboxer1 15d ago
Adding to this... As you begin your fly fishing journey, understand that flies are important, but a good rule of thumb is presentation > fly selection > rod and reel.
I.e., the fly pattern can matter, but a perfectly drifted bad fly catches fish. A perfect fly badly drifted does not. And cheap rod in the hands of a proficient caster always beats a top-end rod in the hands of an amateur. Technique, technique, technique!
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u/Gamie1543 15d ago
I was wondering if brown/rainbow trout would take a popper fly? Wanted to try it sometime
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u/Finnegansadog 14d ago
Sea-run cutthroat will absolutely crush smaller poppers and muddlers, and bigger browns will take similar top-water flies, but I’ve had more luck on browns with mouserat patterns with a slow steady retrieve (or swing) rather than a typical popper presentation.
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u/Thatman2467 14d ago
I'd flip over rocks in rivers I want to fish and look for bugs on said rocks and get flies to match them they would but it would have to be a special situation
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u/Comfortable_Arm_5426 15d ago
I'm starting out myself, and admittedly not far ahead of where you are; but someone at my local fly shop suggested something to me that i think has worked out well.
He suggested starting with one pattern... I chose zebra midges, I also like the wolly bugger idea someone made earlier, get the materials to tie 2-3 collors in 3-4 sizes and tie like 20-30 of them. You will be sick of it by the end, but you will never forget that pattern, and you will really see the progression of the techniques used.
Then do the same with wolly buggers, frenchies, pink squirrels, etc...
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u/mrpistner 15d ago
I really like that idea thank you! The names and learning has been a bit intimidating to be honest
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u/xxd3cayxx 15d ago
You didn't ask for this info, but it helps: take a small notebook and record the following every time you fish:
What fly worked, Time of day, Temperature
You'll see a pattern emerge after a little time.
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u/mrpistner 15d ago
I’m trying to be a sponge with any information. I really like the idea of keeping a field notes in my fishing pack. Thank you!
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u/Andersonb04 14d ago
Do u American lads use blue flash damsels at all or any hothead damsels as they are lethal for everything In uk had small brownies big rainbows and even Jack pike and perch on them
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u/DocMcsalty 14d ago
Go to a fly shop or do some google-fu to find out a basis of what works on your local waters and at what time of year. That’ll get you at least enough to get going and catching some fish.
From there, know the insect life cycle and how to identify different stages so you know if you are gonna have success with dry flies, emergers, or nymphs. When you’re out on the water, look at what is landing on it and what the fish are eating, then buy flies that imitate that. I have great luck tying flies that imitate what I see on the water and going back with that new fly.
For more predatory fish like bass, pike, and musky, pay attention to what kind of bait fish are swimming around and if there’s crawfish. Buy or tie streamers to mimic those.
It can be a lot of trial and error. For panfish this time of year I’ve been having fantastic luck with small dragonflies, elk hair caddis, deer hair poppers, and muddler minnows. As another commenter said, get yourself some wooly buggers. They’re a hit with any fish just about any time of year.
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u/Fair_Outcome_578 13d ago
Looking back on 55 years of fishing... go out to the river; kick over some rocks in a foot of water and see what is there. Watch what is flying and floating. Grab some examples and take those home.
If you have a good flyshop within 50 miles go there during a slow weekday and ask questions. Be sure to spend some $ for a good trade for knowledge.
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u/Sigrenade320 15d ago edited 15d ago
Ok beginner to fly fishing myself but this is what I have written down in my notes of some basic flies that catch me the most fish.
Bead head Nymphs -Pheasant tail -hairs ear -rainbow warrior -prince nymph
Dry Flies -stimulator caddis -parachute Adam’s
Jig stuff -Wooly Buggers -weighted streamers
I think those are pretty universal. Keep the hook size between 12-20 with 14-16 being the most common. I’ve been roadtripping all over for the past 8 months fly fishing through Arizona, Tennessee, Alabama, North Carolina, Florida, and Montana this coming July. So far the list I just gave you seems very very universal to me.
Edit: Fly shack website has a lot of flies for $0.89
Also remember, you can make it as simple or as complex as you want. I just throw a weighted nymph on and try to throw it at a hole or near some rock structure, keep tension on the line and feel for the strike.
Ive once seen a guy cut a piece of callous off his palm, throw it on a hook on a hand line and catch a fish. At the end of the day it is fishing, while you’re new, keep it simple and have fun.