The 6 Best All Around Flies Ever

By Jimmy Voyer

There is no magic fly that catches everything or that works all the time. Fishes are unpredictable and that’s part of the magic and the joy of fishing. Despite of that, here is our top 6 best all around flies ever. The ones we bring on every trip and the ones we use to fin fishes when fishing new waters. These flies can catch almost any kind of fish, from trout to bass or Salmon and Pike.

1. Wooly Bugger 

Type: Streamer.  This fly is not one of the most popular for nothing, this is one of the best all around fly in many occasions. Fishermen can use it in classic black or olive, but also in many colors like purple, white, brown or pink. You can also use a bead head to reach deeper waters. A really nice variant is to add krystal flash in the tail. Learn to tie: https://youtu.be/7Ku1-lnkKzI

2. Mickey Finn

Type: Streamer. This attractive fly if one of the all time classic streamers. Really simple to learn to tie, this is still one of the best fly to use first when fishing a new spot. The Mickey Finn was originally tied by Quebec fly tier Charles Langevin for the Jacques-Cartier river in the 19th century. A must have for Steelhead, Bass, Brown Trout, Rainbow or even Pike. Learn to tie: https://youtu.be/EHuplLAoLs8

3. Elk Hair Caddis

Type: Dry fly. Despite not being the best looking dry fly, I can assure this one catches fish. If you gotta have only one dry fly, this is the one to have. It’s a must have in Montana or Canada. It floats really well in dead drift, imitating an emerging caddis. A classic for trout but also smallmouth bass! Learn to tie: https://youtu.be/puBFY6CQjWQ

 4. Adams

Type: Dry fly. The Adams is pretty much the most famous fly of all time. It was created in Michigan by Leonard Halladay in 1922. It’s one of our favorite dry fly, in particular in it’s parachute pattern because it’s easy to see on the water. Note that the Adams irresistible pattern is one variant not to overlook. Learn to tie: https://youtu.be/4oB_tdFqM-Q

5. Muddler Minnow

Type: Streamer. This imitation of a minnow can also be used as a dry fly. The pattern we know is also from Montana and its one of the best fly to have in the east coast of Canada. It can be used to catch Steelhead, trout, Salmon and Bass. Learn to tie: https://youtu.be/Vs-90u4ookU

6. Red Fox Squirrel

Type: Nymph. This is one of the best all around nymph. Really useful with a bead head at the beginning of the season, there’s also many variations you can use all season long. Use it in dead drift, it won’t disappoint. Dave Whitlock’s Dubbing Blend #1 is a must have to tie the Red Fox Squirrel. Learn to tie: https://youtu.be/dLoxT7pDl1Y