Speaking of Secret Flies or Code Words

 There’s a moment in every angler’s life when you’re struggling on the water, and you turn to the guy downstream who’s catching fish after fish. You swallow your pride, sidle up, and ask the question every fly fisher has uttered in desperation: “What are you using?”

It’s a vulnerable question, really. You’re not just asking for advice; you’re admitting defeat. And then, with a knowing grin, the guy looks at you and says the two most infuriating words in fly fishing: “Oh, just the usual.”

What does that even mean? Is it code? Is it a fly shop conspiracy? Is The Usual the name of an actual fly, and if so, why haven’t I heard of it?

At first, I thought it was just their way of brushing me off. Maybe “the usual” was secret angler lingo for “I’m not telling you squat, newbie.” But then I started noticing a pattern: every seasoned angler, in every state, on every stream, seems to use this same mysterious “usual.”

One time, I pressed further. “What’s ‘the usual’?” I asked, trying to sound casual.

“Oh, you know,” they said, tying on another fly with the speed and precision of a magician. “A little of this, a little of that.”

Helpful. Thanks.

In a fit of frustration, I decided to turn the tables. The next time someone asked me what I was using, I grinned and said, “Just the usual.” I felt powerful, like I’d joined an exclusive club. Of course, I hadn’t caught a single fish that day, so my “usual” was apparently a dud.

For those not in the know, The Usual is a simple yet brilliant dry fly tied with snowshoe hare’s foot fur. It’s famous for its buoyancy, versatility, and uncanny ability to imitate a variety of hatches. It’s a go-to for many anglers, which is probably why it earned such a casual, almost dismissive name.

But here’s where the humor really hits: when someone answers “The Usual,” they’re being both perfectly honest and cryptically vague at the same time. It’s like they’re handing you a puzzle and the answer simultaneously. You don’t know if they’re saying, “Oh, it’s just my usual favorite fly,” or if they mean, “Hey, it’s literally The Usual.”

So when you’re left standing there, wondering if you’ve just been snubbed or given a secret tip, the truth is… both could be true!

The moral of the story? When someone says, “The Usual,” just smile and tie one on. Because if it’s The Usual, you’re probably about to catch a fish. And if it’s just their way of saying “I’m not telling you,” you’ve got nothing to lose by giving it a shot anyway!