ultimate trout dry fly collection

[jburge]

Given the incredible wealth of knowledge floating around on this board, I have a question (really kind of a survey thing). If you were to pick your top 10 favorite trout dry flies for the California Sierras, what would they be?

My purpose for asking is twofold: 1) As an ultralight backpacker, I think it'd be really cool to put together the best minimalist fly box for summer trips in the Sierras, and 2) I think it'd be a lot of fun as a newbie fly tier to learn how to tie 'em all.

You don't have to name 10, but if you want to, feel free. I'd be glad to collect the submissions and post the list after a couple of weeks and people have had time to respond.

Thanks!

[charles]

I am not the most expieranced fly fisherman, especially in the sierras. But the few times I have been I have always caught fish on elk hair caddis. I would take them in a couple of colors and sizes. I never go fishing without an assortment elk hair caddis. I think I have caught almost every freshwater species of fish on this fly. I have caught panfish, smallmouth, smaller largmouth, trout and even half-pounders on elk hairs.
Hope this helps,
Charles

[Bob Scheidt]

Ten favorite dry flies, Hmmm. I'll try.

1. Black flying ant
2. Parachute Adams
3. Stimulator, orange, olive, yellow
4. Trude, royal or an Adams trude
5. Hi Viz parachute, I tie a bunch of generic colors, use flourescent orange or something bright for the wing.
6. Elk hair caddis
7. Parachute black gnat
8. Western coachman
9. Humpy, red, yellow, black, green. orange, brown
10. Parachute blue dun

I fish mostly attractors. Good fun post!
Bob

[Ed Wahl]

I'm with Charles on the Elk Hair Caddis, never hit the Sierras without an assortment of sizes and colors. More sizes than colors though.

You should also carry some ant patterns, trout throughout the range eat them every day.
Cutter's Perfect Ant is as good as any.

A couple of 'Hoppers in there too, just in case.

I've known a couple of fishermen, good ones at that, that would use only one pattern. Down in Calaveras county it was a Grey Hackle Peacock and farther north it was a red Humpy. Both of these guys could out fish me quite nicely.
Ed

[Charlie Gonzales]

Ed got my two favorites, ants and hoppers, or you could replace the hopper with a madamX. Then Adams and humpies, maybe some beetles. Have fun.

[SteelieD]

I'm tool lazy to think of ten right now but if I could only pick two... Kaufmann's Stimi (in a few colors) and Parachute Adams. Several sizes.

[bigtj]

1. ec caddis
2. ec caddis
3. ec caddis
4. ec caddis
5. ec caddis
6. ec caddis
7. ec caddis
8. ec caddis
9. ec caddis
10. ec caddis

[dtp916]

1. ec caddis
2. ec caddis
3. ec caddis
4. ec caddis
5. ec caddis
6. ec caddis
7. ec caddis
8. ec caddis
9. ec caddis
10. ec caddis

Word. Maybe some ants too.

[jburge]

Ha! The ultimate minimalist box. That's funny bigtj.

[Bill Kiene semi-retired]

Yes, there is a big following for the EC Caddis.....

I can talk about size here.

#14 is the biggest seller with #16 maybe second and #12 in third place in standard dries.

The biggest normal dry is a Hexagenia Mayfly in #6 and the smallest are Tricos Mayfly Spinners in size #22.

Nymphs are the same range as dries.....#14 then 16 the 12....biggest is #2 Stonefly nymph and smallest are around #22.

In Woolly Buggers it is 8, 10 and 12......average sizes.