GENERAL AREA FLYBOX – December
Sometimes unique fly patterns reveal themselves as the “Hot Fly” with little advance notice, so you should always check current reports or stop by the shop and check conditions.
The flies listed here are solid choices for this time of year, mainly because they have proven themselves as the “Hot Fly” so often in the past that they should be the foundation for any flybox built for the Big Thompson or Poudre River, or for our destination lakes.
Rivers and streams –
Midges: Midge. And another midge. Think small (#20), and as the days get shorter think even smaller (#22 – #26). Zebra midges are good, but 7x tippets and JuJuBee Midges are the stars. Griffiths Gnats are the main dries, but try the Stuck-in-the-Shuck for fish feeding on single emerging adults.
Mayflies: The RS-2 is the wintertime mayfly. Parachute Adams in medium and small sizes, or CDC Comparaduns during a slow-water hatch will handle your dry fly needs. Be sure to have a few #22 or smaller.
Caddis: Don’t expect hatches, but the smaller green free-living caddis are around, and a small larva can be useful.
Stoneflies: Stoneflies nymphs are always around, but low flows are less effective at dislodging them. Pat’s Rubberlegs Coffee/Black#8, Golden Stones in any size, Copper Johns in brassie or red, #12 or #14, or 20 Inchers .
Other: Ray Charles #16 are good, especially when nothing else is drifting or emerging.
North Park and Plains Lakes. Browns are done for the most part. Still decent fishing, including rainbows, with leeches and egg patterns. A big bugger or Crazy Dad in the low light of morning or evening can get a big one.
Leeches: Always have a few Thin Mints, #10, and a few with orange beads. Simi seal leeches in black or other dark colors. Pine Squirrel mini-leeches in #12, olive or rust.
Crawfish: Crawbuggers #6. Clouser craws #6. Brown wooly bugger #6.
High Mountain Lakes: Next spring.