Written By : Trent Jones

When it comes to trout fishing, having the right flies can make all the difference in the outcome of your day. I personally carry around way too many flies as a guide. Here are my five most essential trout flies that should be in every angler's fly box, helping to ensure you're prepared for a successful day on the water.

1. Purple Haze

The Purple Haze is my go-to dry fly for most situations here in Colorado and has caught me some amazing trout over the years. This fly has gained popularity for its unique color and its uncanny way of bringing trout up to the surface. Its purple body and parachute-posted hackle create an easy-to-see fly that also has a realistic profile when it's on the water, making it an excellent choice for imitating a wide range of mayflies. I’ve destroyed with this fly during caddis hatches, so remember that and give it a try next time you're having a hard time getting bites during the hatch. I generally carry this pattern in sizes 12-20, the bigger size works great for drakes and quills, and the smaller tends more toward the BWO’s and PMD’s hatches. The Purple Haze's versatility and proven effectiveness make it a must-have in any true anglers fly box

2. Chubby Chernobyl

The Chubby Chernobyl is an extremely versatile hopper pattern, which truly excels in catching trout's attention and is also known for carrying a lot of weight under it, this is my go to hopper all guide season when fishing hopper droppers rigs. Known for its buoyancy and visibility, the chubby comes with a large foam body, highly visible posts, and rubber legs creating a realistic profile that just floats on top of the surface. I carry this in sizes 6- 16 and have found that you can never have enough chubbies in your life. It can be tied in a ton of different colors helping you to match the larger insects in your area, like grasshoppers, cicadas, and stoneflies. The Chubby Chernobyl's is a staple in my fly box and should be in yours as well.

3. CDC Pheasant Tail

The CDC Pheasant Tail is a classic nymph pattern enhanced with CDC feathers for added lifelike movement when in the water so it covers both the nymph and the emerger. This fly is incredibly effective in imitating various mayfly nymphs and other aquatic insects and has resulted in more big fish on my boat than almost any other nymph in my box. Letting it go tight after a long drift and swinging it out catches so many fish it's ridiculous particularly when the hatch is just starting or in full swing. This pattern I generally have in sizes 12-20 as it matches most mayflies in my area. Its natural materials and realistic profile make it one of my favorites for both still waters and river systems which is why it is a must-have in your box at all times.

4. Duracell

The Duracell nymph is well-known among fly anglers, especially for its effectiveness in Euro nymphing and as a dropper. As I don't euro nymph all that much, its general purpose for me is the bottom fly on my rig, the jigged hook does well at not sticking on the bottom and is definitely wanna of my favorites for still water. I generally carry this pattern in a 14-18 and have caught some sweet trout with this pattern. Available in a variety of styles, including pink beads, hot ribs, copper heads, and even brown or olive versions, the Duracell offers versatility and adaptability to different fishing conditions. Its widespread popularity and proven success are why it has found its way into my box and should find its way into yours as well.

5. Wooly Bugger

Streamers are a must-have, and the Wooly Bugger is a standout mainly because of its relatively small size and how well it imitates a variety of baits and other aquatic creatures. This fly comes in both darker and lighter shades, making it adaptable to various conditions. Whether you choose the white, black, olive, or brown pattern, the bugger's sleek profile makes it a reliable choice, especially in fall weather. Now I know everyone is throwing giant articulated streamers nowadays and I have seen how effective that can be, but if you find yourself on a stretch of water that is seeing a lot of traffic and you know other anglers are throwing the big nasty stuff, don't be afraid to downsize to a bugger and see what happens. I carry buggers in all shapes and sizes with me daily but the cone-headed black has always been my favorite.

Conclusion

With these five flies in your box, you'll be well-equipped to tackle most trout fishing scenarios, they have all been huge parts of some amazing days on the river for me. With each fly offering its own unique advantage, from the ultra versatile chubby chernobyl to the one and only wooly bugger, these flies have been tried and true for many years and will continue to put fish in the bucket for years to come.

Thanks for reading, and if you enjoyed this article please subscribe to our newsletter so you don't miss out on anything this fly life has to offer.