Fly selection is an integral part of the art and science of fly fishing 101
. In this article I am cut through the myth and simplify the process of fly selection.
The first thing you need to do is get specimen of what the fish are eating to pick a fly, even if you need to get into the line of drift to catch a natural. Don't worry about putting the trout down. They will start feeding again.
Once you have a natural you need to try to match your fly to the size, shape, and color of the natural. Of the three size is most important followed by shape and then color.
Have you ever been out on a stream where fish were rising to midges and you decide to try a size 12 adams because you don't have a midge imitation, and if you are like me, it is a lot easier to follow a size 12 adams then it is to follow a size 20 trico. If you have don't worry you weren't the first and you won't be the last. How did it work? It didn't for me either. When trout lock in on a heavy hatch they feed on that to the exclusion of any thing else.
Next is shape in importance and here you are just trying to match the general shape of the natural. Whether it is a mayfly dun, spinner, or a caddis, you just want to have the same general silhouette. It is handy to have a scissors with you on the stream to make a few modifications to a fly as needed to help you match your fly to the natural.
Last is color, and you just want to match your color as close as possible. If you must chose between a fly that is a little lighter or darker choose the darker.