Buyers Guide: Flies

The most intimidating part of fly fishing for many novice anglers is the seemingly countless fly patterns available. Cutthroat Anglers alone stocks over 2,500 individual patterns. While there is no "go to" fly for trout fishing, the easiest way to start filling your fly box is to purchase what you need for the day you plan to fish.

When to Buy

We suggest you wait to purchase your flies until you are at a local fly shop. Local shops will be able to provide you with updated fishing conditions to narrow your fly choice to a few specific patterns. If you purchase your flies in bulk before heading to the river chances are you will end up with a majority of fly patterns that will not maximize your hook up percentage.

Build Your Fly Boxes Gradually

Cutthroat Anglers hosts over one thousand days of guided fly fishing trips per year, and less than 1% of our clients arrive with the exact patterns necessary to match the specific hatch they will encounter during their respective day on the river. Until you stock hundreds of different fly patterns in your personal inventory, we recommend you purchase a few specialized patterns each time you fish a new river or an old favorite under new conditions.

The more you fish, the more flies you will compile until eventually you build a respectable collection. Our guides usually carry hundreds of different fly patterns in their vest when they hit the river, and still they will purchase a few local patterns when they travel to a new river.