Building Your First Fly Box
What flies do you really need? Here’s a practical guide to building a versatile fly collection.
The Philosophy
Quality over quantity:
- Better to have a few patterns in multiple sizes
- Than every pattern in one size
- You can only use one fly at a time
Versatility first:
- Patterns that work everywhere
- In multiple situations
- For different fish
Match the hatch:
- When you can
- But have searching patterns too
- Confident fish catch fishermen
The Essential Dry Flies
Adams Parachute
Sizes: 12, 14, 16, 18
Why it’s essential:
- Generalist mayfly imitation
- Works everywhere
- Easy to see
- Fish love it
When to use:
- Searching pattern
- Mayfly hatches (close enough)
- Any rising fish
Carry: 6-8 of each size.
Elk Hair Caddis
Sizes: 12, 14, 16
Colors: Tan, olive, black
Why it’s essential:
- Most important caddis pattern
- Floats well
- Easy to tie on
- Catches fish everywhere
When to use:
- Caddis hatches
- Searching pattern
- Fast water
- Windy conditions
Carry: 4-6 of each size and color.
Royal Wulff
Sizes: 10, 12, 14
Why it’s essential:
- Classic attractor
- Highly visible
- Works when nothing else does
- Great faster water
When to use:
- Searching pattern
- Fast water
- Bright conditions
- No visible hatch
Carry: 4-6 of each size.
Griffith’s Gnat
Sizes: 18, 20, 22
Why it’s essential:
- Midge cluster imitation
- Works when small bugs on water
- Easy to see (relative to size)
- Late evening and midges
When to use:
- Midge hatches
- Small rising fish
- Calm water
- Evening fishing
Carry: 6-8 of each size.
The Essential Nymphs
Hare’s Ear Nymph
Sizes: 12, 14, 16
Why it’s essential:
- Generalist nymph pattern
- Matches many mayflies
- Buggy appearance
- Works everywhere
When to use:
- Nymphing anytime
- Mayfly nymphs hatching
- Searching nymph
- Fast or slow water
Carry: 6-8 of each size.
Pheasant Tail Nymph
Sizes: 14, 16, 18, 20
Why it’s essential:
- Slim mayfly nymph imitation
- Natural colors
- Multiple species
- Works in clear water
When to use:
- Mayfly hatches
- Clear water
- Selective fish
- Size 20-22 for BWOs
Carry: 6-8 of each size.
Prince Nymph
Sizes: 10, 12, 14
Why it’s essential:
- Attractor nymph
- Highly visible
- Peacock herl is attractive
- Catches fish
When to use:
- Attractor nymphing
- Fast water
- Off-color water
- Searching pattern
Carry: 4-6 of each size.
Copper John
Sizes: 14, 16, 18, 20
Why it’s essential:
- Gets down fast
- Attractive
- Multiple colors
- Catches fish
When to use:
- Deep water
- Fast water
- Bright colors needed
- Searching pattern
Carry: 4-6 of each size.
Zebra Midge
Sizes: 18, 20, 22, 24
Colors: Black, red
Why it’s essential:
- Only midge pattern you need
- Simple and effective
- Works year-round
- Essential for tailwaters
When to use:
- Midge hatches
- Winter fishing
- Tailwaters
- Selective fish
Carry: 6-8 of each size.
Streamers
Woolly Bugger
Sizes: 6, 8, 10
Colors: Black, olive
Why it’s essential:
- Most versatile streamer
- Imitates everything
- Catches all fish species
- Fun to fish
When to use:
- Searching pattern
- Big fish
- Off-color water
- Early/late season
Carry: 4-6 of each size and color.
Clouser Minnow
Sizes: 6, 8
Colors: Chartreuse/white, olive/white
Why it’s essential:
- Baitfish imitation
- Gets down deep
- Casts well
- Catches big fish
When to use:
- Baitfish present
- Deep water
- Stillwater
- Big fish
Carry: 3-4 of each pattern.
Emergers
RS2 (Rim’s Semblance 2)
Sizes: 18, 20, 22
Why it’s essential:
- General emerger pattern
- Matches many mayflies
- Trout key on emergers
- Works when duns don’t
When to use:
- Emergers
- Selective rising fish
- Refusing duns
- Low light
Carry: 4-6 of each size.
Building Your Box
The Basic Box (40-50 Flies)
Dry flies (20):
- Adams Parachute: 12, 14, 16 (6 each)
- Elk Hair Caddis: 14, 16 (4 each, tan)
- Griffith’s Gnat: 18, 20 (4 each)
Nymphs (20):
- Hare’s Ear: 14, 16 (6 each)
- Pheasant Tail: 16, 18 (6 each)
- Prince: 12 (4)
- Zebra Midge: 20 (4)
Streamers (6):
- Woolly Bugger: 8 (black) (4)
- Woolly Bugger: 8 (olive) (2)
The Better Box (75-100 Flies)
Adds to basic:
- More sizes of each pattern
- Color variations
- More streamers
- Emergers
- Attractors
The Complete Box (150+ Flies)
Complete coverage:
- All sizes
- All colors
- Local patterns
- Specialized flies
- Every situation
Organization
By Type
Dry fly box:
- All dries
- Organized by size
- Waterproof
Nymph box:
- All nymphs
- Organized by size/type
- Slit foam works well
Streamer box:
- All streamers
- Large flies
- Deep compartments
By Size
Within each box:
- Organize by size
- Small in front
- Large in back
- Easy to find what you need
Labels
Label your boxes:
- “Dries - Sizes 12-20”
- “Nymphs - Sizes 12-20”
- “Streamers”
Within box:
- Size markers
- Color indicators
- Pattern notes
Replacing Flies
Check before each trip:
- Missing patterns?
- Low quantities?
- Worn flies?
- Replace as needed
Stay organized:
- Nothing more frustrating than needing a fly and not having it
Seasonal Adjustments
Spring
Add/emphasize:
- BWO patterns
- March Brown
- Caddis
- Early stoneflies
Summer
Add/emphasize:
- PMDs
- Yellow Sallies
- Hoppers
- Beetles
Fall
Add/emphasize:
- BWOs again
- October Caddis
- Mahogany Duns
- Streamers
Winter
Simplify to:
- Midges (lots)
- Small BWOs
- Small streamers
- Nymphs
Local Patterns
Ask at local shops:
- What’s working now?
- Local favorites
- Secret weapons
- Buy a few
Local forums:
- Check online
- See what people recommend
- Learn regional patterns
Buying vs. Tying
Buying Flies
Pros:
- Consistent quality
- Wide variety
- No time investment
- Can see what you’re getting
Cons:
- More expensive
- Less satisfaction
- Can’t customize
Tying Flies
Pros:
- Less expensive per fly
- Customize sizes/colors
- Satisfaction
- Better understanding
Cons:
- Time-consuming
- Learning curve
- Initial investment in tools
For beginners: Buy your first flies, learn to tie later.
Tips for Building
Buy Multiples
When you find a pattern that works:
- Buy or tie many
- Multiple sizes
- Lose flies? No problem
- Replace easily
Quality Over Quantity
Better to have:
- 6 patterns in 4 sizes each Than 100 patterns in one size
Fill the Gaps
As you fish, note:
- What patterns you need
- What sizes work
- What’s missing
- Add systematically
Sample Shopping List
First Purchase
Dries:
- Adams Parachute: 12, 14, 16 (6 each)
- Elk Hair Caddis: 14, 16 (4 each, tan)
- Griffith’s Gnat: 18, 20 (4 each)
- Royal Wulff: 12 (4)
Nymphs:
- Hare’s Ear: 14, 16 (6 each)
- Pheasant Tail: 16, 18 (6 each)
- Prince: 12, 14 (4 each)
- Zebra Midge: 18, 20 (4 each)
Streamers:
- Woolly Bugger: 8 (black) (6)
This is enough to catch fish anywhere.
Don’t Overcomplicate
The truth:
- A few well-chosen patterns = success
- More flies ≠ more fish
- Presentation matters more
- Confidence is key
Keep it simple:
- Master a few patterns
- Fish them confidently
- Add slowly
- Learn what you need
Final Thoughts
Build your fly box systematically:
- Start with essentials
- Add as you learn
- Replace what you lose
- Stay organized
Your first box doesn’t need to be perfect. It just needs to be enough to get you started and catch fish.
The best fly box is the one that’s organized, full of patterns you fish confidently, and adaptable to the conditions you encounter.
Start simple, add as you go, and your collection will grow naturally with your experience.
Now go fill your box and catch some fish!