Flies that Never Fail

Flies that Never Fail

They have funny names, but fish find them most alluring

Rule number one for aspiring fly fishermen: never say the word “work” to another fisherman. Instead, try peppering you conversation with words like hopper, nymph, or woolly bugger (a few commonly used flies). You'll fit right in.

Fly fishermen fish with imitation insects (flies) instead of worms or minnows, and pride themselves on the intricacy and variety of their flies. To ease your transition into the large and sometimes intimidating world of flies, here is a quick guide to some of the most popular and successful flies, according to fly guru John Bailey. From the fly shop in Livingston, Mont., Bailey has been supplying fly fishermen with his hand-tied flies for decades. He's also a fly-tier to the stars: he served as a consultant and fly fishing instructor for Robert Redford's movie A River Runs through It.

Woolly Bugger: One of the most universal flies, the woolly bugger works for both trout and bass on eastern and western waters. The woolly bugger is a streamer fly, which means it replicates minnows that swim below the surface.

Muddler Minnow: Like the woolly bugger, the muddler is a streamer that works on both trout and bass, but it is more effective on streams than it is on lakes.

Flies that never fail. Photo by Elena.

Adams:  Good for trout fishing, the Adams is a dry fly, which means it floats on top of the surface like an insect.

Royal Wulff: Another dry fly for trout. The white wings on this one allow you to keep an eye on it even in rough or choppy waters.

Hare's Ear Nymph, Prince Nymph, Bitch Creek Nymph, and Damsel: Nymph flies imitate aquatic insects in a particular developmental stage. Although nymphs are primarily for trout, the bitch creek nymph is good for both trout and bass, but is rarely used in eastern waters. The damsel is best for catching lake trout.

Elk Hair Caddis: Another good dry fly for trout. This one is made out of real elk hair. Because elk hair is hollow, the fly floats well.

Dave's Hopper: This fly, named for fly fishing expert Dave Fhitlock, replicates a grass hopper, floats on the surface, and can be used in most places.