Essential New England flies

[Banks10]

I am just starting to get into tying my own flies and I am hoping to get some insight into what you all think are some essentials I should be tying for trout/salmon here in New England.
As a new tyer, I like to tie the same fly until I get it down pact before trying a new pattern.
That said, I received a gift certificate from a local shop which I would like to spend on materials to carry me through the winter.
Since I would like to get the most out of materials, I thought it would be good to ask all you seasoned tyers and non tyers what you think some good patterns are.

[mer]

Heres a list of the ones I typically use for every place I normally fish:

I like a curved hook a Tiemco 200R or something more like a "grub" hook
Gold Ribbed Hares Ear, sizes 12/14
Pheasant Tail Nymph sizes 12,14,16

Yellow Stimulator, size 12/14
Hot green royal humpy size 12/14
Quill Gordon 12/14
Red Quill 12/14/16

Wooly Buggers in black and olive, mostly size 10, but a few bigger ones (4/6)
Royal Coachman as a streamer, with quill wings (not hair) size 10

[Gtownfly]

Royal Coachman as a streamer, with quill wings (not hair) size 10

Mer: What do you mean as a streamer? Cast and strip?

[wet_fly_action]

I think he means tied as a streamer, on a streamer hook. Another wet fly that makes a good streamer is the grizzly king.

Banks, if you look at almost any fly fishing site you'll get a similar list of woolly buggers, hare's ears, and adamses. I don't know if it's the internet or the plethora of fly fishing literature written by and/or for western anglers, but these patterns have supplanted old standards and local patterns in most new england fly fisher's boxes. There's another reason for this, they work. If that's what you were looking for, check out a couple of lists of "must haves", pick the simplest patterns and go for it.
If you were looking for some local favorites in addition to the "new standards", here's something to get you started:
http://www.midcurrent.com/articles/flies/tapply_newenglandflies.aspx

[Banks10]

Thanks for the tips. I'm not necessarily looking for traditional New England flies, just flies that will work in New England.
I just figure if I look in a book and put the effort into tying an intriquite fly, I want to make sure that it will work when I use it!

[Swede]

Banks,
It sounds like you and I are in a similar place with regards to our development as fly tiers. Like you, I am trying to develop proficiency at tying a few patterns rather than experimenting with a new fly each time I sit down at the vice. So, I have been asking a similar question as you; "What do I most want/need to see in my fly box?"
In addition to mer's list I would have to add Elk Hair Caddis in sizes 12-16.
Best,
Swede

[mer]

Mr "Action" :) has it correct. I believe the original dressing for a Royal Coachman is as a wet fly, which means a shorter hook than a streamer. But I like to tie them on a size 10 streamer hook (Mustad 9672 I think is the number). I've also done a few with a small brass/gold colored cone in the front; a pain in the butt to tie (hackle down as a beard and wings behind the cone) but it looks pretty good and seems to catch fish.

The traditional NE flies work; not every fly works every time so it's nice to have options. In general, you want to keep in mind size and color. If you have a fly that is the right size and the right color it should work, even if it's not the "correct" fly. Lots of times you can get away with just a size match or just a color match (as long as it's close to the right size).

Besides the EHC (stupid of me to forget that), an Adams is a very good fly in all different sizes.

Look for a book on Trout Flies by Dave Hughes, excellent reference, easy to understand and follow the tying steps. Read it from the beginning, he lays out his "theory" on flies.

This one:
http://books.google.com/books?id=8sGVmsNIJsEC&dq=dave+hughes+trout+flies&pg=PP1&ots=FP9o1wKC2R&sig=eaG5y7Uhyc2lIjURKzBxVKpjP9o&prev=http://www.google.com/search%3Fhl%3Den%26q%3Ddave%2Bhughes%2Btrout%2Bfli es%26btnG%3DGoogle%2BSearch&sa=X&oi=print&ct=title&cad=one-book-with-thumbnail

[michaeledward]

For a dry fly ...

blue dun ... size 14 .... (in a pinch, sizes 12, 16, 18)

I may be a minority in New Hampshire, but if I could only fish one fly, that would be it. (I'm guessing most around here would choose a caddis pattern).

[Chappy]

If I had 1 fly it would be a Chili Pepper. But which variation? (see my web site under fly swaps...)

It is really a wooly bugger with hint of orange, preferrably burnt.

Both WS Hunters and Stone River Outfitters in Bedford have nice catalogs showing flies that work in New England (as apposed to say the Fly Shop's catalog which is more tailored to the megorific Western Stonefly hatches).

These shops also have the necessary materials and experts that can answer questions (as does any other local shops).

The most effective fly is the one you can fish best. For me personally, it is a woodduck heron fly with a black marabou tail and two specifically sized lemon woodduck feathers palmered to the hook eye flowing backward. Usually on a size 8 2X long hook. I fish it either with fast sinking line (and long leader) or behind a heavy Tungsten beadhead nymph on a dry line. I will troll it, and even fluff it up so it stay on the surface, like a dry fly sometimes. This versatility in not just the pattern but how I fish it, makes it truly my 1 fly. But in the hands of someone not as crazy as I, may never agree and prefer an Elk Hair Caddis - or maybe a Usual (as they only use dry fly line.)

In our primarily aquarium fishery where your success is based upon timing in the season, and pressured fish, go for a Chili pepper with burnt orange, black and brown. You will not fail to elicit a hit with just about any fishing technique. (In fact, my 4 yr old uses a fly casting bobber and does quite well on a spinning rod) Sure beats the mess of worms and the cost.

Good Luck.

[lowwall]

Chili Pepper , I like the sounds of this! I like to keep it simple


Thanks

[Chappy]

Here is the original Chili Pepper tied by Tony Spezio (there was an even 'more originaler' pattern Tony got from a Mr. Root).
Tony Spezio's Chili (http://www.chappysguide.com/html/chili_pepper_i_11.html)

Here is the pattern I like with a black tungsten beadhead
Chappy's Chili (http://www.chappysguide.com/html/chili_pepper_i_5.html)

Here is the link to the Chili II Swap - where we made shadow boxes for the swapper. Run you mouse over the fly and click for a picture to show the tier and the name of the variation. I particularly like the CP Matuka.
Chili II (http://www.chappysguide.com/html/chili_pepper_ii.html)

I particularly like these series of swaps as they should show you how with small material substitutions you can really become creative while still achieving your goal. Also, for those starting out tying, how you can substitute what you have for what you don't and still get by - and possible create something better while doing so.

I hope you find this enjoyable.