6 Classic “Guide Fly” Patterns to Tie on Snow Days

When winter grabs hold and the rivers slow down, our guides turn their attention to the tying vise. Snow days are prime time to restock fly boxes, sharpen skills, and crank out patterns we know we’ll reach for all season long.

Classic “guide flies” are easy and quick to tie, and more importantly, they’re deadly effective. These patterns have been around forever, but they’ve stood the test of time for one simple reason: they work.

Here are 6 flies our CRO guides fish nearly year-round, and always carry in bulk whenever they hit the water.

1. Zebra Midge

Size: 20–22

Colors: Black, red, brown

Don’t underestimate simplicity. The Zebra Midge is a must-have on tailwaters and freestones alike. When fish are keyed in on small bugs, this fly just flat-out produces.

2. RS2

Size: 20–22

Colors: Grey, black, brown

A staple for picky trout and technical water. The RS2 shines during midge and baetis activity and is one of those flies guides never leave home without.

3. Extended Body Pat’s Rubber Legs

Size: 8–10

Colors: Black, coffee, tan

Big, buggy, and effective. Stoneflies are in our waters year around, and trout will almost always opportunistically eat them. Plain and simple, the Pat’s is a confidence fly that gets eaten. Our guides fish a variation of this classic that features an extended body. Giving the pattern a little more movement and realistic profile.

4. Pheasant Tail

Size: 18–22

A true classic that always works. From spring through winter, the Pheasant Tail matches a wide range of natural insects and belongs in every fly box, no exceptions!

5. Elk Hair Caddis

Size: 14–18

Colors: Tan, olive, brown, black, pearl

One of the best dry flies ever created. Easy to tie, floats well, and consistently brings fish to the surface when caddis are in play. All of our guides will have several dozen of this pattern in multiple sizes and colors throughout the season. Most popular are size 16.

6. Woolly Bugger

Size: 6–8

Colors: Black, olive, brown, thin mint

The ultimate utility fly. Swing it, strip it, dead-drift it, there’s no wrong way to fish a Woolly Bugger. If you could only carry one streamer, this would be it.

Most of these patterns are timeless classics for a good reason: they always work.

Whether you’re brand new to tying or a seasoned pro on the vise, stock a couple full rows of these flies the next time snow keeps you off the river. Your future fishing days will thank you. 🎣❄️

Have a favorite classic trout fly that you never leave home without? Comment below! We’d love to hear about it!

— The CRO Team

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