Big Y Fly's Favorite Underrated Trout Flies

We have thousands of fly patterns here at Big Y Fly Co.  Our best sellers are great and we love all of the Copper Johns, Hare's Ears a...

We have thousands of fly patterns here at Big Y Fly Co.  Our best sellers are great and we love all of the Copper Johns, Hare's Ears and Elk Hair Caddis, but there are some really killer patterns that get overlooked and are worth a place in the starting lineup.


Here are a couple of favorites from our shop anglers:

Andrew

Hot Head Soft Hackle Sow Bug

Hot Head Soft Hackle Sow Bug:  Often one of my go-to patterns for when I am fishing a couple of these cold, clear rivers around here that have little in the way of big hatches.  I use it more than I will let on.  I don't know too many trout that can pass up a tasty piece of pink.

Hazel Creek:  Brookies just have to eat it.  I love this pattern on these little tiny brook trout streams we have up in the mountains here.  It is also a great pattern for fishing when the bug life is sporadic (like very little hatching), varied (several different things hatching) or when it is thick as could be and they can't find your perfect imitation among the masses.  This fly stands out and says "EAT ME!"

Hazel Creek

Grey Hackle Red:  Another munchy fly that brookies love!  This fly has been around forever, but doesn't get much love any more.  Everyone wants a fancy name, flashy materials and the latest and greatest, but the classics are where it's at sometimes. 

Nikolai

Tungstone

BH Tungstone: I have really enjoyed this fly. I've noticed that Brown Trout also enjoy it.  It is a great stonefly imitation, but it seems to work even if the stones are not around.

Renegade: A very successful fly for me here in Oregon. I love to fish these on High Mountain Lakes.  With it's big brother, the Double Renegade, you should be able to conquer those lakes and little creeks with ease.

Renegade

Thin Mint: Another favorite of mine for lakes.  This has all of the fish-catching colors wrapped up in one delicious package.

Cameron

Improved Golden Stone

Improved Golden Stone:  This is on my line quite frequently during the summer months.  Very productive, easy to see and cast, floats extremely well.


BH Amber Prince:  Great "nothing obvious going on" pattern especially in fast water, sinks great, attracts trout.

Rob

Greased Liner

Greased Liner : The Greased Liner was designed by Northwest Steelhead legend Harry Lamire . Though one popular more modern fly designs using foam overshadow it the Greased Liner is still a fish catching machine. It fishes well as a wet fly but a half hitch around the head transforms it into one of the best skaters around.


Royal Trude: Credited to Carter Harrison the Royal Trude has been around a long time and is great as an alternative to a Caddis dry fly in low light or broken water conditions, It's also great as an attractor during the summer months

Royal Trude

 

 

Ben

Beadhead Micro Stone: This is one of my go to trout flies and with good reason, it has always produced fish for me. If there are stones or mayflies in the waters this pattern is a must. It will easily imitate both nymphs. Fish it with a Beadhead Flashback Pheasant Tail and you have one of the most productive nymphing setups on the Deschutes, in my humble opinion.


Clouser Swimming Nymph: A fairly simple nymph pattern that often gets over looked for today's "flashier" flies. That being said, if I am fishing a lake this is one of my go to patterns. It imitates nymphs or crayfish. I have caught smallmouth bass, trout, and panfish on it with ease. I personally like fishing it on a sinking line. Cast from a boat or float tube towards the bank, and strip it in. Strips can vary between slow and fast until you find what the fish like on that particular day. I also like fishing this in tandem behind a Beadhead Crystal Bugger, don't ask why but it does work well.

Joe

 Beadhead Rooks Blueberry: Drop this below a Pat's Jimmy Legs or a Prince Nymph, on almost any tailwater and this fly will produce trout! Drop it underneath a dry fly! Just dont drop this in the river...

 Foam Ant (Black Or Brown): Summer time the terrestrials are coming out, and everything is heating up, also the Rivers i'm use to fishing are getting shoulder to shoulder, so i head up to the Mountains and bush wack through the woods along little streams! These foam ants are highly visible to both you and those little gems below the surface! Go after the Cutties and Brookies in those high altitude streams! dont be afraid to throw these on the lakes as well! Cheers