Guide Confidence Fly Patterns
By Chelsey Christy
Have you ever had a buddy tell you about a specific pattern that is crushing it on the water, you try it and it doesn’t work? Me too. It’s probably because you never use that fly and you have little faith in it. (or they are the infamous picky eaters of Colorado's South Platte River) A lot of fishers and guides have what we call "confidence flies". These flies have caught so many fish for you that you know they work and you can use them almost year-round. These are staples in my personal and guide fly boxes. Every guide has their go-to flies and it’s a system that works well because we are always getting clients onto fish.
How do I find my confidence flies? Well it's pretty easy. What flies do you use the most?
Which flies do you usually tie on first or are your "go to's"? What bugs are most common in your home waters?
For me, and pretty much the rest of Denver, the South Platte is the river I fish the most. Without a doubt one of the best flies for Deckers would be the RS2, it was designed for this river and I'm sure all of you have caught a fish with this fly and have some in your box. Boom! There is one of your confidence flies right there.
Flies that replicate multiple bugs are great and tend to be the best confidence flies out there. These flies tend to match the profile of the aquatic insects rather than the actual species. For example, the Guides Choice Hares Ear is one of those bugs for me. It can replicate a cased caddis, stone, huge midge or even something like a spider. If it swims, crawls, or floats like their food, the fish will want it. Matching the profile is matching the hatch so don’t hesitate to get creative with your selection.
My confidence flies lately have been:
(Click on the Name or Image to Add Flies to your Shopping Cart)
Guides choice hares ear aka. Soft Hackle Hares Ear
Stalcup Baetis
Chocolate Thunder
Mayhem Midge
Jellycord Caddis Larva
Beadhead Psycho Prince
Flies are just one variable in the whole fishing equation. Drift mechanics, reading water and smart fishing decisions will all lead to a better result. Remember, your attitude and confidence in your fishing will impact your day. So make sure to smile while you recast, laugh when you get a big tangle, and applaud the fish that just shook your fly.
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