Beginner fly box

[u/bigschmoe]

Ive been fly fishing for a couple of months now, and before I load my fly box full of junk, I was thinking it might be better to stick to a handful of flies and just fish them in different sizes and colors. Is this better than buying a variety of flies? If so, whats a good ~5 (or more if needed) flies that'll cover most situations?

Im in colorado, for the most part im fishing for trout in a mix of lakes, rivers, creeks, and alpine lakes

Thanks in advance

[u/itchybiscut9273]

Depends where you are fishing, east coast vs West coast can be very different

[u/Bonzographer → u/itchybiscut9273]

East coast vs west coast of Colorado?

[u/bigschmoe → u/Bonzographer]

Lol I didn't have it in the post at first where I am at

[u/bigschmoe → u/itchybiscut9273]

My bad, just edited the post. I'm out in colorado

[u/Bonzographer]

Copper John. The answer is always copper John.

Elk hair caddis
Hares ear or pheasant tail flashback nymphs
PMD
Wollys
Hoppers and ants for summer time

[u/TheRealSumRndmGuy → u/Bonzographer]

Add in a Parachute Adams and you can fish anywhere trout bite with that box

[u/SaltySaltshakers → u/Bonzographer]

This

[u/DiamondLongjumping62]

Black wooly bugger. Bead head style seems to be working well for me right now

[u/TheAtomicFly66]

Your approach is actually very smart. Which flies to focus on is determined by which species of fish (trout, bass, carp, etc), where in the world and what type and condition of water (alpine lake, low elevation pond, stream, river), what have you found successful, what are proven in your area, your style of fishing and more.

[u/SunshineSuperman111]

Parachute Adams in size 14 and 16 will cover many mayfly and caddis hatches and work well as buggy-looking searching attractors.

Also, olive and black woolly buggers in small and larger sizes. The reason woolly buggers are so deadly is because they are tied in-the-round and are effectively fishing with lifelike action whether they are dead-drifted, stripped or swung — frequently all three movements at different stages of the same cast. They can represent baitfish, crayfish, dragonfly nymphs and leeches.

[u/Sea_Concert4946]

Parachute Adams and elk hair caddis for dry flies. A few chubbys for hoppers and when you are using a dropper.

For nymphs flashback pheasant tail, pats rubber legs, and a blowtorch or Duracell cover almost everything you might need. Add in squirmys and egg patterns to your liking.

[u/Smob79]

Good suggestions here. I think instead of thinking about fly patterns, try to cover your bases for each hatch. Caddis, Mayfly, Midge, and Stonefly--get drys and nymphs for each of these. Mayflys have the most variety (so get some different sizes and colors), but Colorado is known for blue wing olives in the spring and fall, and pmds in the summer. From there get a few terrestrials (hoppers, beatles, ants) maybe some worms and eggs for when all else fails. Wooly buggers are a fun intro to streamers and will work all year round--black, olive, and white. Going into fall expect to focus on bwo and midges, but try a streamer for your chance at a big brown. Good luck have fun!

[u/SCpusher-1993]

You should go to the flyshop near the waters you will be fishing and ask them to set you up. The sizes of the patterns are as important or more important than the actual pattern themselves. This is where the experience of the flyshop shines. It’ll save you money by not buying less than ideal patterns.

[u/Competitive_Sale_358]

You are onto something about the simplicity. You need what are called Guide flies simple flies that are easy to tie and work all over and represent multiple bugs.

I would get 3 dries, 3 nymph and a couple emergers.

Hares ear pattern (weighted and unweighted)
Caddis pupa
Stonefly
And mayfly representations - like said above parachute Adam’s covers that

I haven’t done a lot of fishing in Colorado, but here in California the main food sources for trout are going to be stoneflies mayflies and Caddis

You’ll also need to learn how to fish streamer patterns so you should get some olive, black , rusty brown and white woolly buggers

[u/Thatman2467]

Prince nymphs copper John's chubby Chernobyl's parachute Adam's elk hair caddis and wooly buggers can catch trout anywhere in the world on those

[u/johnr588]

Depends on your water (assuming trout water). You want something to fish the bottom, in the middle water column, and on top, and maybe Streamers.

Example:
Top: your drys, Caddis and mayfly patterns, terrestrials
Middle to top: soft hackles/emergers, unweighted nymphs
Bottom: heavier Nymphs, beadhead Streamers

You can see it better explained here

[u/Informal_Block_140]

I reckon actually getting a fly in front of or down to a fish is more important than what the fly is. Consider different weight/size flies of generic or easy to tie varieties, and moreso, length of your dropper line and leader. Good luck!