Hi Shane. I choose something from that set of forgiving flies very often. Probably close to 50 percent of the time, one of those flies is on my point.

Great article. I’m curious, what do you typically start with first, the forgiving fly or something more imitative? Or is the starting point somewhat random, and then you cycle through as needed until you hit on something they want? I know that’s probably a loaded question given all the variables to consider.

For me, I will often lean on water clarity as the deciding factor for choosing what to start with. I’ll start with more “forgiving” flies when the water is less clear, and more imitative when it is clear or there is a specific hatch. But that’s really just to help me simplify the choice of what to start with — I don’t think I have enough data to say that’s a better strategy than, say, closing my eyes and picking a random confidence nymph, cycling through until something works. I’m curious how you think about it.

Yes

I have discovered recently that a size 8-10 stimulator has become a forever fly for me. It amazes me how often it gets taken, even in winter time. And often taken like the fish hasn’t eaten in months, trout & bass like it and hit it with the same vengeance!

Well said.