ultimate trout subsurface fly collection

[Hairstacker]

Ok, we had the "ultimate trout dry fly collection" poll thread a little while back. Now how about one for nymphs, wet flies, streamers, etc.? In other words, if you were to pick your top 10 favorite trout subsurface flies for the California Sierras, what would they be?

What we're looking for here are flies that consistently slayed them. Or slayed them more often than the other flies you fished. Or flies you consistently turned to when things got serious. Well, you get the picture. Size(s) and colors of the flies would be helpful too.

You don't have to name 10, but if you want to, feel free. Perhaps our board statistician (jburge) might be willing to compile the results like he did last time? And if anyone wants to post a photo of the cool bottle opener welded to the front of their pickup or something like that, please don't hesitate to do so.

[jburge]

Ha! Hairstacker, I'm on it! You guys post the info, pix, and GPS coordinates of your honey holes (kidding!) and I'll put together the data.

And I can't name 10, just 'cause I haven't used 'em that much, but the ones that have worked for me are:

bead head prince nymph
gold ribbed hare's ear
pheasant tail nymph
bird's nest

John

[Tony P]

To many to really choose from. You have the classics like Pheasant Tail, Gold Rib Hare's Ear, Birds Nest, Zug Bug, & Ants.

Here are my top five go to nymphs.

1) Copper John
2) Fox's Beaded Poopah
3) Any of Mercer's Poxyback Stone Patterns
4) Mercer's Micro Mayfly
5) Burk's Bottom Rollers

Tony P

[Phil Synhorst]

Excellent flies John, they all work well. The Bead Head Prince is on the top of my list. The only other two that I have used successfully, and without hesitation are Woolly Buggers, and Zug Bugs. The Zug Bug used to be at the top of the list, it was the Skunk remover, trout just couldn't help themselves. Then the wonders of the Prince Nymph were discovered, I swear it hypnotizes trout(Brookies esp.).

[SHigSpeed]

I don't believe I have used 10 different subsurface in my short fly fishing tenure, however I do know that in lakes, my #1 go-to is a copper/brown leech (they style I tied for the lakes swap recently). Otherwise, again, princes and buggers make my list.

_SHig

[k.hanley]

okie dokie here you go Mike and crew..........

1. Damselfly nymph
2. Dragonfly nymph
3. Bird's Nest (tan)
4. Burk's Hunch Back Infrequens (sp?????)
5. Green Rock Worm
6-7. LaFontaine's Sparkle Pupa (tan, green)
8. Whitlock's Near Nuff Sculpin
9. AP Nymph (brown)
10. Stonefly (Black rubberlegs)

Cheers, Ken

[Rich Leonetti]

1. Fox pupa
2. copper john
3. prince nymph
4. san juan worm
5. hare's ear
6. black ap
7. birds nest
8. pheasant tail
9. sloan's mighty mite
10. Hogan's yuba pupa

Not necessarily in any order, except fox pupa definitely at the top...everything else is pretty close...

[JT]

1. Fox Poopah
2. Micro Mayfly
3. Drowned Adult Midge
4. Pheasant Tail
5. Rubber-Legged Stonefly Nymph
6. Hare's Ear
7. Clinger Nymph
8. Woolly Bugger
9. San Juan Worm
10. Damselfly Nymph

[jburge]

Sweet! I've got data already I'll give this a couple of weeks before the final tally. Sound OK to you guys?

John

[David Lee]

Now how about one for nymphs, wet flies, streamers, etc.? In other words, if you were to pick your top 10 favorite trout subsurface flies for the California Sierras, what would they be?

If we are going to include ALL California waters ........

#6 Dragonbugger (accounted for my largest Rainbow)

Black Rubberleg Stone #6-#10

Gray/White clouser #2-#6

My Cranky Sculpin #4-#6

Olive beaded crystal Bugger #6-#10

Scud hook Antron Ant #12-#16

Pheasant Tail #16-#18

Zug Bug #14-#18

San Juan Worm in Wine

Cal Bird's Bird's nest (If I could choose only ONE fly , this would be it . Tied on a #8 , 3x hook in gold , it makes a fine Stone . On a scud hook in Olive #10-#16 , it'll catch EVERYTHING . #6 , 3x long in Black for a BIG Stone nymph ...... you get the idea . Long or short , fat or thin ...... the most versitile design ever .)

David