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Early Season Flies


vermilionwally

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I just bought a fly rod and was wondering what kind of flies are best to use early in the season (April and May)?

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what river? Visit your local fly shop and ask. You will learn a great deal

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i see you are from esko so i assume you'll be fishing rivers such as the midway, otter, and cloquet system. I would start out with an assortment of hares ears, pheasant tails, copper johns, and possibly a few scuds (although i haven't had luck with them this far north. A few drys such as an adams or elk hair caddis patterns wouldn't hurt either. Sizes 12 to 16 should give you a good start for a beginner. This is only the tip of the iceberg, there are numerous patterns that work in the spring, these are just a few assuming you want to catch trout.

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I am fishing for trout. I got a clouser minnow in size 6 and i bought a 20 pack of assorted flies. Im looking at buying a couple elk hair caddis tommorow.

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Come mid summer, "hoppers" can be a lot of fun! I use a bright colored one with a beadhead or similar as a trailer. The hopper acts as a stimulater and also as an indicator. Make sure to check the regs in the area that you are fishing to make sure it is legal to fish a trailer. I was informed of this law by a buddy very recently.

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Im not sure what a hopper is confused.gif. Ill have to look into it.

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It's a grasshopper pattern. They typically have a foam head and body and float really well with a little Gink on them. It's a fun pattern in the summer.

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Ill have to pick a couple of those. I bought a fly at gander today that was labeled as a hopper.

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That's what you're looking for.....have fun and let us know how it turns out.

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Will that work in april or is that more of a summer pattern?

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I usually start using them in July if you're in an area that allows droppers. That way you can fish 2 flys and see what works best. They're not always going to produce, but every now and then you can get one to come up.

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