I've had the fortune of trout fishing all over this country. Of all the flies that have passed through my box over the years the below mentioned patterns are [most of] the 'nymphs' that I've come to rely on day in and day out no matter where I find myself.
Confidence Box: 44 Flies
- Hare and Partridge #14/3.5 & #16/3mm - An absolute classic!
- Blowtorch #14/3.5 & #16/3mm - One of my top general searching flies, especially when dry dropping.
- Cdc Gasolina #16/3.5mm & #18/3mm - My favorite 'flashy' nymph.
- Micro Stone #14/3.5mm(Brown) & #14/3mm(Black) - I find myself fishing this pattern more and more every year.
- Cdc Jig Leech #10/3.5mm UV Olive & UV Black - This fly is, BY FAR my favorite fly of all time! I've caught fish out of every water type with this fly from the mountain streams to the Gulf Coast.
- Hare and Pheasant #16/3mm & #18/2.5mm - 6+ years ago when I was highly active in competitive fly fishing I set out to tie a general pheasant tail for high pressured scenarios. It worked so well that all these years later it is still my #1 pheasant tail pattern, pressured waters or not.
- UV Walts Worm #16/3.5mm & #18/3mm - One of the newer additions, this Walts has been great when 'testing the waters' as it falls neatly in between flashy and totally drab.
- Hot Rib Pheasant Tail #16/3.5mm & #18/3mm - My second most productive pheasant tail.
- Hot Tag France Fly #16/3.5mm & #18/3mm - You know a fly has been good when you still remember its first trip out!
- Light Olive France Fly #18/3mm & #20/2.5mm - One of my favorite flies when I just want to give them something too simple and natural to refuse.
- Rainbow Warrior #18/2.5mm - A ball of flash that REALLY WORKS when it works!
- Jig Zebra Nymph #20/2.5mm - Because no all purpose box is complete without some form of small Zebra style fly, great for small baetis as well as midges!