How to fly fish. For the beginner or novice fly fishermen a good selection of flys is a key to success. The fly fisherman needs to be versatile and change flies to match the hatch that is happening on the day they are fishing. In selecting beginning choices of patterns there are 3 types of Flys
1) Wet Flys that sink . 2) Dry Flys that float 3) Streamers are big sinking flies in most cases. Starting with dry flys some choices are: Black Midges , Blue wing olive may flys, Black quill, Cahill quill, Black midges. For streamer and nymphs some good begining patterns are : The wolly bugger , the muddler minnow, code head rabbit streamer. Different nymph patterns include the rabbit hare nymph, stone hedge nymph, scuds (different varieties). The May fly hatch is a very important hatch for fly fishermen. When the May fly hatch is on like is here in Minnesota about early june it is probably the favorite time of year for trout fisherman. When The main May fly hatch happens roads are covered with May flys. In fact in Hastings Minnesota the bridge over the Mississpi became so slick and covered with May flies that it caused a serious accident. When the May fly hatch comes out the trout in the streams go on a feeding binge to take advantage of this high protien food. Main May fly patterns are pheasant tail patterns, blue wing olive green drakes, light cahill . May flies come in different colors such as white , green , brown , and gray. Have an assortment of colors and check what colors you need in your area for the streams you are fishing. For May fly nymphs you are simulating a May fly hatching in a nymph form at the bottom of the stream and floating to the surface. May fly nymph patterns would include copper johns, blue wing olive nymphs , and sulfer nymphs. In learning how to fly fish selecting the proper flies is basic in helping you become a more successfull fly fisherman.