Recommended Gear

fly fishing gearFollowing is an overview of the recommended fishing equipment and gear that will make your trip most productive and enjoyable. If you have any questions, please contact us and we can help you out.
Fly Rods:
5 & 6 Weight Fly Rods are the best all-around sizes and will cover most situations. There are some very large fish that will truly tax a 5 weight, so we recommend that is the lightest rod you fish.
Fly Lines:
Floating fly line can be used in most situations, and if you only have one line a floating is best. However, it is highly recommended that you also carry a sinking line of some type. Ideally a full sink intermediate and a moderate-fast sinking full sink or sink tip (type III best all around). The perfect arsenal to cover all situations would include floating, full sink intermediate and type III sinking (full sink or sink tip).

Flies:

The following are recommended fly patterns that have proven themselves over the years at the ranch:

BUGGERS AND LEECHES

  • Black Woolly Bugger (Beadhead & Non-Beadhead) 6, 8, 10, 12
  • Crystal Bugger (Brown, Olive, Black) 8, 10, 12
  • Mohair Leech (Olive, Brown, Black) 10,12
  • Fourth of July, AKA Midnight Fire (black with red and blue sparkle chenille), 8, 10
  • Old Faithful (Olive bugger with brown hackle) 6, 8, 10
  • Copper Side (Olive with black hackle, with copper lateral line going into tail) 8, 10
  • R C Fly (Olive dubbed leach) 10

NYMPHS

  • Zebra Midge (Black, Red, Brown, Olive) size 14, 16, 18
  • “Homie” Midge (midge emerger) 12, 14,16,18
  • Blood Midge 14, 16
  • Bead Head Hare’s Ear 14, 16
  • Bead Head Prince Nymph 12, 14, 16
  • Emerger with gray body 12, 14, 16
  • Emerger with tan body 12, 14, 16
  • Emerger with light blue body 12, 14, 16
  • Damsel Fly Nymph (Olive, Tan, Brown) 10, 12, 14
  • Backswimmer & Water Boatmen 12, 14

DRY FLIES

  • Parachute Adams 14, 16, 18
  • Callibaetis (Cripple, Thorax) 14, 16, 18
  • Griffiths Gnat 16, 18, 20
  • Large Ant Patterns 12, 14, 16
  • Chernobyl Ant 8, 10, 12
  • Cicada 8, 10
  • Various Hopper Patterns (Parachute, Fat Albert, Dave’s Hopper) 8,10,12
  • Beetles 14, 16

Other Recommended Gear

  • Breathable waders & wading boots
  • Waterproof rain jacket
  • Polarized sunglasses
  • Hat
  • Net
  • Insulating layers to add and remove as conditions change