the larger the fly tying you use, the larger the fish you are likely to catch

As you approach the stream, take some time to observe the surface of the water and the air above it to see if any insects are presently hatching. If so, then capture one and choose a fly pattern to match it in size and color (called matching the hatch). However, if there is no hatch presently happening, matching the hatch is not possible. So, instead, try examining the streamside foliage (especially the undersides of leaves) to see what types of insects inhabit the stream you are fishing and again choose a fly pattern to match in size and color. However, since insect activity tends to lull during the period from mid-morning to late afternoon, then you might want to try prospecting with Attractor patterns instead. Attractors are fly patterns that imitate natural insects in size and shape but are tied in bright, non-natural, color patterns to attract the trout and convince them to strike. Dry fly patterns such as the Royal Wulff, Grizzly Wulff, Tennessee Wulff, Royal Coachman, Humpy, and Tellico are all examples of Attractor patterns that work well on western North Carolina streams. In addition, you need to remember that trout are opportunistic ambush predators and, as long as they are not feeding selectively on a particular species of hatching insect, they will often attack almost anything that looks alive and edible.

However, when there is a hatch coming off, the trout will see an over-abundance of nymphs, pupae, emergers, and duns of the same size and color drifting in the water column and thus they tend to become very selective about the flies that that they will take for the duration of the hatch. So, when trout are actively feeding on a hatch, it is very important to capture and match the size, color, and stage of the particular insect they are presently feeding on.

Also, although dry flies are most fly fisherman’s favorite pattern to fish because it is exciting to be able to see the fish take the fly tying, the surface world is both alien and uncomfortable to trout so they avoid it as much as possible. Therefore, since trout obtain up to 90% of their food underwater, sub-surface patterns are generally far more effective than dry flies. In addition, is it important to understand that during non-hatch periods, larger fish often prefer larger meals (see food vs. energy equation) so the larger the fly tying you use, the larger the fish you are likely to catch. But, always keep in mind that there are exceptions to EVERY rule!

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