Well I'm no expert, and my experience is limited to my frequent outings over the last year (3-5 days a week except during winter and run-off), but there are certain patterns, or types of patterns which I've come to trust.
The Renegade (dry). I have caught most of my biggest cutthroats on these, and probably more fish than any other dry fly. They don't really match any hatch, but apparently trout think they look like food fairly often. I've had luck with them in all sizes I've thrown, from #10 to #16, and will often work during hatches as well as between them.
Small orange Stimulators seem to draw attention from fish big and small, both between hatches, and when hatches are of remotely similar colors. I bought some from FlyShack.com (I can't say that their flies are high quality), which were relatively sparsely hackled, and they turned out to be more broadly effective than larger, bushier stimulators I've used.
CDC emergers (with sparkle tail). I've used mostly peacock (I got a slew of them cheap, from the clearance section at a sporting goods store), but purple, tan, and gray ones have also done well.
Sparkle Duns, and Caddis X. Both of these have the sparkle type tails, which fish seem to love (I gather from more learned commentary, because they look like a shuck). The tail also has the bonus of providing a more visible profile, which is helpful in smaller sizes, especially for folks with poor vision like me.
Of course, Parachute Adams works in a variety of situations, including recently, in #16 or smaller, during trico hatches (they've been even better than trico spinners). I'd add in Purple Hazes, which are just Parachute Adams with a purple body (both the regular and flashy types are great).
For indicator bugs, I like Chubby Chernobyls, easy to see, will float a weighted dropper nymph, imitate stones and hoppers, and fish of all sizes will check them out if not attack. Tan, and purple/black have been productive colors.
And nymphs, on sunny days I've done well with rainbow warriors. Red brassies have teased bigger fish even in pretty small sizes. I also like olive zebra midges, though I've always heard black is a staple.
Edit: I forgot Griffiths gnats, hard to see sometimes, but trout seem to love them.
Last edited by Rasputin; 09-05-2023 at 07:36 PM.
I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things. -אלוהים אדירים
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