As I’ve ramped up my fly-tying production, I took a look back at my 2024 season to see what my most effective flies were. I want to make sure that I have plenty of these going into my season. In this article, you’ll find my top flies.
My 2025 is off to a pretty good start. I’ve been staying focused on my 2025 goals, which included buckling down on tying some flies. In doing so, I really wanted to focus on flies that I utilized most and make sure I have those patterns down.
Naturally, I ended up putting a list together of my top flies that I used in 2024. I decided to share them with you fine folks.
Now, don’t be disappointed but there’s nothing new here and perhaps, that’s the point. I think many times we overthink flies and try to make them prettier than they need to be.
My fly tying is performance based only. I try to tie what many call a “guide fly.” Meaning that my flies need to be:
- Simple to Tie
- Effective at Catching Fish
- Durable
One last thing to note is that I guide primarily trout. So, of course, my top bugs are going to be trout catches but there is certainly some overlap. I’ll leave it to you to decide what’s what.
# 1 - Perdigons
Whether you love or hate Euro Nymphing, there’s no denying the effectiveness of the Perdigon. OGs in the industry will say that these flies don’t have soul; I don’t disagree with that. However, that doesn’t much matter to me.
As a guide, I don’t have the luxury of being romantic about fly fishing. I need flies to be simple to tie, effective, and durable. The Perdigon is exactly that. I can sit down and tie a dozen Perdigons in a matter of minutes.
Why are they so effective?
The slim profile and heavy bead head allow these flies to get down quick, which makes them perfect for the swift rivers I guide on. The quicker your flies get down to where the fish are, the more fish you’re going to catch. It’s that simple.
What do they imitate?
This may be the funniest part of it all. Perdigons don’t really imitate anything in particular. They’re more of a searching pattern or attractor pattern. Although, my top color patterns I utilize are more natural. I could see them taking it as a nymph, especially in the faster water where they don’t have a lot of time to decide.
My Top Perdigon’s
- Spanish Bullet
- Olive & Black
- Holographic Black
- Firestarter
# 2 - Pheasant Tails
There’s no shortage of Pheasant Tail (PTs) flies out there. You ask 10 different people what their favorite PT is, and you’d probably get 6 or 7 different answers. The PT is a versatile fly. There’s no questioning its effectiveness.
PTs do a great job of being a “catch all.” They imitate a lot of different nymphs, especially mayflies. However, there’s no doubt in my mind that trout will also eat them as caddis flies and even midges. Later in the summer, when the fish get a little pickier and look for something more natural, I never hesitate to throw on a Pheasant Tail.
Pheasant Tails are such a versatile fly. I believe every angler should have several variations and sizes of the PT. I’ve been tying up a bunch of them, lately. Heck, I’m even considering dedicating a whole box to different variations of this deadly fly.
My Top PTs
- Bead Head
- Frenchie
- Flashback
# 3 - Soft Hackles
Early summer, it’s hard to get away from the soft hackles. These things are just deadly. They’re easy to fish; I mean, there’s really no wrong way to fish them. Dead drift, swing, a little action after a mend, I’ve seen it all work.
I’ve found them to be especially beneficial for clients who are not accustomed to fishing fast pocket water and struggle to get their mends done in a timely manner.
The flies I list below may not be the first ones you think of when somebody says, ‘soft hackle,’ but make no mistake these things get the job done.
I should make this point: I don’t fish your standard soft hackles necessarily. I’m talking about putting soft hackle on otherwise “normal” flies. Often times I’m fishing a Perdigon-like pattern with soft hackle on the collar. It just goes to show you how keyed in on the soft hackles trout can be sometimes.
My Top Soft Hackles
- Bead Headed Pheasant Tail w/ Hackle
- Duracell Jig
- various colors / bead head combinations
- Birds Nest
- Guide’s Choice Hare’s Ear
# 4 - Leeches
Leeches are a staple pattern on still water but can also be affective on rivers. I’ll admit I don’t fish them much on rivers but they’re certainly on my rig when I’m out on the lakes and reservoirs. Leeches are especially good at ice off and into the Spring.
Fish are usually pretty active during this time and are eager to feed after the long winter. Leeches are a great meal for trout looking to put weight back on. A lot of times, I only need one fly on the rig.
I like black balanced leeches. A little blue in the dubbing can be good, as well as red. I’ve even had really good luck with a hot head (orange or red). Put a couple olive and even white leeches in your box and you’ll be set up nice for some still water action.
# 5 - Chubby Chernobyl
Who doesn’t love throwing big dry flies? I’m fortunate enough to guide on the Gunnison River, through the Gunnison Gorge, where one of the best Stonefly hatches exists. Consequently, I get to guide anglers with dry flies for much of the summer.
Outside of “the hatch,” my go-to rig is a dry dropper, with a big Chubby Chernobyl up top. The Chubby floats well all day long if you pre-treat it properly. The Chubby also does a great job of floating with heavier nymphs underneath. Another critical advantage of the Chubby is that it’s easy to see.
You might’ve noticed that I didn’t list streamers on here. I didn’t fish a lot of streamers, in 2024. Not really sure why, just didn’t. I don’t enjoy tying streamers. They take too long, and I just don’t enjoy it.
Not to mention, I’m not that good of tyer and I tie out of necessity more than anything else. Furthermore, time is limited, and I think I can make better use of my time elsewhere. So, for now, I’ll just buy my streamers.
If you’re interested, maybe I’ll do a blog post of my top streamer patterns.
LTF Guides is a guide service based in Western Colorado. We’ve partnered with two of the best outfitters and provide float trips on the Gunnison, Colorado, and Roaring Fork Rivers, as well as lakes and reservoirs around the Western Slope.
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