How to Choose the Best Trout Flies for Small Streams

Small stream fishing has become incredibly popular in contemporary fly fishing. Small streams are easier to access, more prevalent throughout the US, and offer anglers a chance to get away from the crowds and find solitude. The scenery can be beautiful, you don't need a ton of gear, and the fishing can be great. Targeting native trout in small streams is an easy way to relax without having to worry about catching the largest fish or carrying 3 fly boxes.

That being said, outings on small streams will be more productive if you have the right gear. If you're looking for a fly rod for small streams, we've covered that here. Choosing the right fly reel for small streams and fly line for small streams is important, too. Those posts, combined with the best flies for small streams, should make your next small stream outing your best one yet.

Flies

Stimulator

The Stimulator is a great dry fly for Cutthroat Trout, Brook Trout, and just about any hungry small stream fish. This isn't a technical pattern, but it works well for backcountry fish who have never seen a fly. Its hackles keep it riding high on the water surface, making it easy to see, even in low-light conditions. The "Stimi" resembles adult stoneflies, caddis, and even terrestrials to an extent. This is hands down one of the best attractor dries for small streams!

Royal Wulff

The Royal Wulff is another old-school attractor pattern that is extremely productive on small streams. It features a mayfly profile, making it a great choice when adult mayflies are present. The white wing makes this another pattern that is highly visible in varying light conditions.

Elk Hair Caddis

Caddisflies are found in nearly every trout stream in the USA, making them a must-have regardless of your location. The Elk Hair caddis is the gold standard for adult caddis patterns, offering a high-floating bug that can be skated or dead-drifted to entice vicious strikes from eager small water trout.

Purple Haze

The Purple Haze is a purple variation of the legendary Parachute Adams dry fly. It's a fantastic option for high-alpine cutthroat and brookies, especially in cloudy or low-light conditions when Mayflies are popping! A great small stream staple, and one that should have a permanent place in your creek box.

Wooly Bugger

One of the most classic streamer patterns of all time, a Wooly Bugger imitates a sculpin, leech, juvenile trout, and a variety of other small baitfish. Not only is it a great pattern for small stream trout, but it works in just about every freshwater fly fishing situation imaginable, from Bass and Panfish to hammerhandle Pike and even Great Lakes Steelhead.

Hare's Ear

The Hare's Ear is a classic nymph pattern that can imitate stones, caddis, and mayflies in their immature forms. Fish a hare's ear as a dropper below a Stimulator or a small hopper pattern for productive small stream sessions. Oldie but goldie!

Morrish Hopper

The Morrish Hopper is a must-have for small streams in the western US In August and September. Hoppers land on the water and trout ambush them from undercut banks. These foam flies are also perfect for hopper/dropper rigs, floating all day without the need for constant maintainence or application of floatant. If you're heading to a meadow stream surrounded by tall grass, be sure to have a couple of Morrish hoppers to plop along the banks.

Pheasant Tail

One of the O.G. mayfly nymphs, the Pheasant Tail is arguable one of the most versatile nymph patterns of all time. Depending on the size, it can mimic a mayfly, stonefly, or even a midge. I especially like to fish a PT under a mayfly dry fly on cloudy days when BWO's are hatching. Small stream trout love them, but the Pheasant Tail can be deadly on larger rivers, tailwaters, freestones, and even stillwaters.

Prince Nymph

The Prince Nymph is a stonefly imitation that serves as a fantastic small stream attractor nymph. The Prince works well on cold, high-gradient creeks with solid stonefly populations. Drop one in a dark pool and chances are good you'll find a willing trout to chomp the trusty Prince Nymph.

Jigged Caddis Larva

Jig nymphs are great for pocket water, where you need your fly to get down quickly. The Jigged Caddis Larva does exactly that, featuring a heavy tungsten slotted bead and soft hackle for some added lifelike movement. If you're fishing droppers or euro nymphing small water, try adding a few jig nymphs to the box.

Partridge and Orange

As an honorable mention, we threw in the Partridge and Orange. Soft hackles fish great as swung emergers when creek trout are feeding just below the surface. Grab your favorite soulful 3wt rod and swing some soft hackles on a small stream this summer - it's very effective and offers a great way to try something new on familiar waters.

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