Pike are toothy predators that enjoy feeding on large meals in Lake, Pond, and River settings. These fish feed aggressively and are a lot of fun to catch on a fly rod. A lot of Pike fishing is done in shallow water which makes spotting and tempting these fish a visual game. Bright streamers, large crustaceans, and even an amphibian or two comprise the diet of these large freshwater fish. Read on to find out which flies are the best for Pike plus videos, photos, and other resources to help you compile the best Pike gear in the industry.
Craven’s Jujubee Midge is a fly that was originally designed to be fished on the South Platte River in Colorado but works well across a diverse collection of notoriously difficult fisheries. This small bug imitates a small midge shedding its nymphal shuck and works well in the winter and spring months or whenever midges are present. This is a relatively simple fly to tie and works extremely well if used under the right conditions. Tune in as Jared provides step-by-step instructions to tie Craven’s Jujubee Midge Fly.
This simple beetle features a realistic profile without a lot of complicated fly tying steps or materials. In the summer months, in the western US and beyond, trout feed on terrestrials, beetles, and ants that are blown into the river. Foam beetles are a productive pattern during this time of the year when trout are looking for a large, easy meal. This is also a great pattern for South America as trout are known for eating beetles in Patagonia with reckless abandon. Tune in as Jared provides step-by-step instructions to tie this easy pattern then purchase your fly tying materials from us and start tying!
Pacific Salmon are loads of fun to catch on a fly rod. Whether you’re targeting Silvers in Alaska or King Salmon on a Great Lakes Tributary, these fish are incredibly strong and can be tricky to fool. Many anglers adopt a swinging approach when targeting Salmon with a fly rod and two-handed Spey fishing is a great tactic. A lot of the flies listed below are streamers that are particularly productive when swung. That being said, Salmon can also be fooled using dead-drift techniques so we’ve included some egg flies, too. Read on to find out which flies are the best for Pacific Salmon.
A simple, traditional pattern for picky tailwater trout… The Brassie Fly is one of the most basic patterns for picky tailwater trout. It’s incredibly simple to tie and uses only a few basic materials and a few simple steps. This is a great midge or mayfly imitation when trout are feeding on small bugs and you can’t quite figure out what they’re eating. This is a great fly to use under an indicator as part of a double nymph rig or as a dropper on small water and larger rivers alike. Tune in as Jared provides step-by-step instructions to tie this must-have picky trout pattern.
Redfish are prevalent from the southeastern coast of the US to Texas. These large-shouldered predators spend time cruising marshy coastlines searching for crabs, shrimp, and small baitfish. It’s not uncommon to see Reds tailing in shallow water and some would consider sight casting to a 30+lb Bull Redfish the pinnacle of the sport. These fish, without a doubt, make for an incredibly memorable fly fishing trip. But a fishing trip can also go terribly wrong without the right gear. Learn which flies are the best.
A Charlie Craven classic, the Ragin’ Craven fools finicky fish… Designed to resemble a crab, the Ragin’ Craven lands somewhere between a crab and a shrimp. And fish eat it as both. This is a great saltwater pattern for Tarpon, Bonefish, Permit, and more. It’s also a phenomenal Redfish fly when fish are tailing in shallow water. Whether you’re targeting fish that are eating shrimp or crabs (or both), this is a must-have pattern for avid saltwater anglers. Plus, it’s really fun to tie. Tune in as Jared provides step-by-step instructions for the Ragin’ Craven.
One of the most practical, versatile flies ever… and a great one to have in your box. It’s no secret a Caddis hatch is one of the most popular hatches throughout the US and beyond. Many anglers prefer to fish the Elk Hair Caddis, but when fish aren’t rising, they’re probably feeding on Caddis subsurface. This version of the Caddis Pupa is a great one to swing as an emerger or dead drift as a nymph under an indicator. The life-like profile is relatively easy to tie and traps air bubbles in the water to attract feeding trout. Tune in as Jared provides step-by-step instructions to tie one of the most popular patterns in trout fishing.
The Chubby Muffin Sculpin Streamer gets crushed by big browns in the fall… This is a great streamer pattern for all you trout bums out there dusting off your Trout Spey rods for the months ahead. This fly features a lifelike profile, intricate fins created with India Hen, and many more features to entice a predatory brown. Pound the banks with this fly out of a drift boat or rig up the Trout Spey rod and swing your favorite riffles and runs. Tune in as Jared provides step-by-step instructions for this incredibly lifelike streamer pattern.
A simple pattern that’s tied to imitate midge pupae and Baetis nymphs, the WD-40 is a great pattern for western trout. This fly can be fished just under the surface as an emerger or with more traditional nymphing techniques under an indicator. This is also a really easy pattern to tie and can be tied in a variety of colors and styles. Tune in as Jared provides step-by-step instructions to tie this technical trout fly that everyone should have in their box from the western US and beyond.
