One of the most rewarding experiences in fly fishing is to catch a trout on a fly you have created yourself.
Each major season demands slight variations to your tool kit and strategy. We have covered the best options for fall or summer trout fishing in previous articles. Here we hope to give you the best flies for spring.
While there are many different flies that can be effective for different types of trout during spring, here are thirteen of the best.
These patterns will help you get started on your next trout fishing adventure!
Table of Contents
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Wet Trout Flies for Spring
Wet flies are a great choice for trout in the spring because they offer a realistic presentation that imitates the natural movements of aquatic insects.
In colder water, trout tend to feed more aggressively on larger aquatic insects, so wet flies are a great way to target these fish. Additionally, wet flies can be fished effectively in slower water whereas traditional dry flies may not work as well.
I have 8 wet flies to recommend.
WD-40 Fly
The WD-40 fly is one of the simplest but most effective mayfly midge larvae that you can have in your fly box. It can be fished in a wide range of sizes, and in the most popular colors, olive, grey, black and red.
The WD-40 fly is great for spring fishing for trout because it imitates the most common mayfly larvae that are found in streams and rivers at that time of year. The fly is also very easy to tie, so it is a great option for novice anglers.
How to Fish it
The WD-40 fly is a simple fly that many guides rely on. It’s easy to tie, and it fishes well in a variety of situations. The key to fishing this fly effectively is to use a slow, steady retrieve, and to keep your line tight so the fly doesn’t sink too deep.
Zebra Midge
The Zebra Midge fly is great for spring fishing for trout because the warmer water temperatures stimulate the midge larvae to hatch. These tiny flies are a favorite food of trout and anglers can often catch fish on this pattern year-round.
The wire wrap on the fly simulates the movement of a small insect struggling in the water, which makes it even more appealing to trout.
How to Fish it
The Zebra Midge is a versatile fly that can be used in a number of different fishing applications. It can be fished as a dry fly, as a wet fly, or even as a nymph. It is also very easy to tie and can be tied in a wide range of colors and variations.
Sculp Snack
The Sculp Snack fly is a great pattern for spring fishing for trout because it imitates the small benthic sculpin fish that are found in many waterways across the United States. The Sculp Snack fly is effective for fishing in runoff conditions when the water becomes muddy.
This fly can be used to hunt different pools and in some cases eddies. It is perfect because it takes time for it to bottom in a river. It works best in rougher areas like hollowed-out drifts and rough strips.
How to Fish it
The Sculp Snack fly is a slim profile that casts easily and has a fantastic range of motion because of the marabou and the rubber legs. This fly is great for trout, bass, and panfish.
San Juan Worm
The San Juan Worm is a great wet fly for spring trout fishing because the protein-rich worms that fish consume during runoff are plentiful. Fish also hide on the river bottom during the runoff, making the San Juan Worm a perfect fly to present to them.
Colors such as red, pink, orange, and tan are great for attracting trout, so be sure to use one of these colors when fishing with a San Juan Worm.
How to Fish it
San Juan Worms are a popular fly pattern for trout, bass, and other gamefish. They can be fished in a variety of ways, including as a dry fly, wet fly, or nymph. Some anglers even use them as bait on a hook.
Sow Bug
The Sow Bug is a great wet fly for spring trout fishing because it is a food source that trout love to eat all year round, but especially in mid-to-late spring when other insects are not as available.
The Sow Bug has a natural coloration that blends in well with the river environment, making it difficult for trout to see. Additionally, the sow bug’s size range makes it a good option for fishing in different parts of the water column.
How to Fish it
The Sow Bug fly is a great choice for fishing spring creeks and tailwaters. This fly is effective when rolled along the stream’s bottom or dropped off by another nymph. The Sow Bug fly can be fished every day of the year, making it a great choice for any situation.
Bead Head Pheasant Tail Nymph
The Bead Head Pheasant Tail nymph is a great wet fly for spring trout fishing because it imitates a small-to-medium stonefly nymph, which is a common food source for trout. This weighted bug can be fished nearly anywhere in the world, making it a great option for anglers who travel.
The weighted bug sinks quickly to the bottom of the stream, where it can be easily fished near the riverbed. This makes it an ideal fly for targeting trout that are feeding in the middle water column.
How to Fish it
The Bead Head Pheasant Tail nymph is a popular all-purpose imitation of a nymph used by anglers. It looks like an insect that many trout feed on. The bead head helps the fly to sink quickly, and it has a realistic look that entices fish to bite.
Woolly Bugger
The Woolly Bugger is a classic streamer fly pattern that has been around for many years. It is highly versatile and can be fished in a variety of water conditions. The fly imitates a wide variety of natural food items that trout love, making it a popular choice for anglers.
How to Fish it
The Woolly Bugger fly can be fished in a variety of ways to match the current conditions and can be effective for a wide range of game fish species. Additionally, the simple design of the fly makes it easy to tie and relatively affordable to purchase.
Flashback Hare's Ear Nymph
A flashback hare’s ear nymph fly is a great way to add some extra flash to your fly box. This type of fly can be used when the trout seem to be a little more picky than normal or when you are looking to add an extra bit of excitement to your fishing.
Flashback hare’s ear nymph flies come in a variety of colors, so make sure to choose the right one for the conditions you are fishing in.
How to Fish it
The takeaways of using a Flashback Hare’s Ear nymph fly are simple: it adds some extra flash and color that can get the attention of trout in certain situations.
If you’re having trouble getting strikes on your usual patterns, try adding a Flashback Hare’s Ear nymph fly to your box and see if that changes things.
Dry Trout Flies for Spring
Even though the vast majority of trout fishing during the spring happens with nymphs, there are still times when dry flies can be effective.
For example, during a mayfly hatch, the trout may be feeding on the surface to take emergers or duns. In addition, during times of high water or heavy rain, the trout may move to the surface to feed on insects that have been washed into the stream.
Therefore, it is always a good idea to have a few dry flies in your box, in case you encounter a hatch or heavy runoff.
Elk Wing Caddis
The Elk Wing Caddis fly is a great choice for spring trout fishing because the pupa of caddisflies are plentiful at that time of year and the Elk Wing Caddis imitates them well.
This fly is also easy to see on the water surface and floats well, making it a good choice for fishing in slow-moving or still water.
Elk Wing Caddis dry flies are popular and proven patterns for fishing North American trout.
How to Fish it
The Elk Wing Caddis flies imitate the natural caddis, one of the most prolific insects that trout feed on. Elk Wing Caddis dry flies can be fished like conventional dry flies, as well as skated across the top of the water to attract feeding trout.
Blue Winged Olive Fly
The Blue Winged Olive fly is a great pattern to use during the spring months when trout are feeding on emerging insects. This fly imitates a WD-40, which is a type of mayfly that hatches during the spring.
The Blue Winged Olive fly is effective for fishing in streams and rivers and can be used in both wet and dry fly applications.
How to Fish it
The Blue Winged Olive dry fly is one of the most popular flies used by anglers in fly fishing. This fly is effective in imitating a wide range of mayflies, which makes it a versatile option for anglers.
BWO dry flies are available in a variety of colors, which can be matched to the hatch of the mayflies they are imitating.
Adams Parachute Dry Fly
The Adams Parachute Fly is a great fly for spring trout fishing because it imitates a wide variety of aquatic insects that hatch during this time of year.
Trout are opportunistic feeders and will often take an imitation of an insect they aren’t used to eating, especially if it’s presented in a natural way.
The Adams Parachute Fly is a highly effective dry fly that fools many hungry trout during the spring months.
How to Fish it
Adams Parachute dry flies are often used as an attractor pattern and can be fished in a variety of ways to match the conditions of the stream. The parachute-style hackle makes the fly more visible to fish, and also helps it to stay in the water longer.
Griffith's Gnat
The Griffith’s Gnat fly is a popular dry fly named after George Griffith, a founder of Trout Unlimited. It is similar to Woolly Bugger except with no tail, but it has a similar appeal to fish.
How to Fish it
Griffith’s Gnat can be fished in a number of different ways. It is a great all-around fly, imitating everything from midges to mayflies.
It’s a good choice when you’re not sure what the bugs are, and can be fished during both dry fly and nymph hatches. The Griffiths Gnat is a size 18 fly and can be tied in a variety of colors to match the hatch.
Chernobyl Ant
The Chernobyl Ant is a large foam terrestrial pattern that can be used effectively on big Western rivers when the wind is blowing and the terrestrials are out. This fly can be slammed hard into the banks like a natural, and it is one of the best patterns for fishing big hoppers and ants.
How to Fish it
The Chernobyl Ant is a great choice when it can be used to loosely mimic the type of land-born terrestrials trout eagerly feed upon. This highly buoyant fly works really well fished on its own and has the added benefit of being a really good strike indicator when you need it to be.
Enjoy a Fruitful Spring of Trout Fishing
So, what are you waiting for? Get out there and start fishing! The flies we’ve listed here will get you started on the right track. And if you want to learn more, be sure to check out our other blog posts about fly fishing. We can help make your next trout spring season a success.
Please leave any of your thoughts or suggestions below in the comment section. We can’t wait to read them!