40 Best Trout Flies

Although this is just one man's opinion of the best all-around trout flies to carry in a single fly box (albeit a large one), the nymphs, dries, wets, and streamers covered here will be familiar to most North American fly-fishers. What list wouldn't have the gold ribbed hare's ear and pheasant tail nymphs, adams and elk hair caddis dries, and woolly bugger and muddler minnow streamers? There aren't many surprises here, but the usefulness of this slim, portable volume becomes clear after reading a few of the author's narrative descriptions. For each fly he offers situations and presentation methods that can shine new light on an already popular pattern, as well as reasons behind the fly's enduring success. Color plates of all 40 flies round out this helpful fly-fishing companion.