If I Had to Pick Only Three....

 My Favorite Flies

Every angler has their favorites—the flies that feel like old friends. They’re the ones you instinctively reach for in your fly box, the ones tied with care, a touch of hope, and a dash of nostalgia. Over the years, I’ve tested countless patterns, but a few have risen to the top as my go-tos. Each one has a story, a purpose, and a little magic of its own.

The Pheasant Tail Nymph

Classic. Reliable. Timeless. The pheasant tail nymph is the fly equivalent of a sturdy pair of boots—it just works. I’ve fished it in streams big and small, and I’m convinced there isn’t a trout alive that hasn’t fallen for its charms.

There’s something meditative about tying a pheasant tail. The natural fibers, the simplicity of the pattern—it’s like connecting with angling history. It’s humble, unpretentious, but don’t let that fool you. When trout are hugging the bottom and feeding on nymphs, the pheasant tail is a ticket to success.

The Puff Daddy (Blue Wing Olive Emerger)

If there’s a fly with flair, it’s the Puff Daddy. This little emerger is my secret weapon during a blue-winged olive hatch. There’s something about its delicate silhouette, just hanging in the surface film, that makes trout lose their minds.

Fishing it is an art in itself. A soft presentation, a patient drift, and then—bam—a rise that makes your heart skip. I like tying the Puff Daddy with a touch of CDC to give it that extra lifelike shimmer. Watching a fish sip it gently off the surface is a kind of poetry only anglers understand.

The March Brown Spider

Ah, the wet fly—a nod to the old ways, when anglers didn’t need flashy materials or neon beads to catch fish. The March Brown Spider is my favorite for swinging through riffles and pools. Its sparse, soft hackle pulses in the water like a living thing, an irresistible invitation to hungry trout.

Swinging a wet fly is an experience like no other. There’s a rhythm to it—a cast, a drift, a gentle tug as the current takes the fly. When the line tightens and a brook trout flashes silver in the water, it feels like stepping back in time, connecting to generations of anglers before me.

Why These Flies Matter

These flies aren’t just tools; they’re part of my story. They remind me of crisp mornings on the water, the smell of damp earth, and the way the light dances on a cold stream. They’re tied with memories of fish caught, lessons learned, and moments shared with friends and family.

When I open my fly box and see their familiar shapes, I can’t help but smile. They’re more than just feathers and thread—they’re little pieces of joy, waiting to be cast into the water.