6 Flies to Carry on Multi-day River Trips
Prepping Your Fly Box for a River Trip
On multi-day river trips space is always at a premium. With limited dry bag space, it can be difficult to justify bringing an extensive fly fishing setup. That’s why assembling a thoughtfully curated “catch-all” fly box ahead of time is crucial. Rather than trying to pack a separate box for every possible condition or species, aim for a versatile selection that can handle a variety of waters, hatches, and fish types you might encounter along the way. It’s far better to spend some time before the trip, especially if it’s one known for fishing, making strategic choices than to find yourself at the put-in haphazardly stuffing flies into a box. A little preparation on the front end will ensure that when you do get the chance to cast a line, you’re ready with the right fly—without sacrificing space or goodwill.
Know What Fish You’re Targeting
For most river trips in the Western U.S., the focus will be on trout flies. Sure, there may be a few smallmouth bass or rare species like sturgeon around, but most fly anglers are going to be chasing salmonids. A good strategy is to check in with a local fly shop before your trip and get their tips on what works for what subspecies in that region at that time. Flies that appeal to cutthroat might not work for big browns or bull trout. Hatches and bugs come and go throughout the season, so make sure to tailor your box around your specific rafting-fishing departure.
The Best Flies for Western Rafting Trips
The famed woolly bugger
Legendary fly fishermen and author of The Professional’s Favorite Flies, Bill Hunter, says the woolly bugger is so effective that it should be banned from some rivers. It imitates a ton of different edible aquatic bugs and can be fished with a variety of techniques from dead-drifting to stripping. Include a few different colors and sizes for perhaps the most flexible and highest producing fly out there.
Pat’s rubber legs
Similar to the woolly bugger, the Pat’s rubber legs, created by Idaho fly fishing guide Pat Bennett, is a versatile sinking fly primarily intended to imitate stonefly larva, a favorite food of many Western trout. It’s well worth a try when fish are not noticeably feeding on the surface. Look for stonefly larva casings out of the water on rocks or flip a few underwater rocks to look for the live version.
Elk hair caddis or stimulator
The two dry fly patterns are similar enough to choose either when options are limited. The stimulator has a longer shank but either will work as a caddis, small stonefly, or terrestrial when needed. The primary advantage here is noticeable at your campsite. Head to the bank after dinner and fish the last hour of light when caddis is most active. Don’t worry about a perfect drift as caddis are erratic and your most exciting strikes will come on a twitch or skate.
Prince nymph
The Prince Nymph is a classic, time-tested pattern that earns its place in any well-rounded fly box because of its remarkable versatility and effectiveness across a wide range of Western rivers. With its distinctive peacock herl body, white biot wings, and soft hackle, the Prince imitates a variety of aquatic insects—from stonefly and mayfly nymphs to caddis larvae—without being tied to a single hatch. This “buggy” look makes it a reliable attractor fly, capable of enticing fish even when there’s no obvious insect activity. It can be dead-drifted through riffles, bounced along the river bottom, or fished under an indicator in deeper runs, and it consistently draws strikes from both opportunistic and selective trout.
Foam dry flies
If you’re traveling on Western rivers in the summer, you’ll more than likely encounter a few hoppers along the shore. Between grasshopper imitations, beetles and ants, floaty foam flies are a good bet, especially when fishing surface-feeding cutthroat trout on rivers like the Middle Fork of the Salmon. They’re also nice because they can float a dropper nymph, which just adds to the likelihood of finding a fly that works.
Articulated streamers
The jointed bodies of articulated streamers create an enticing, lifelike swimming motion that mimics baitfish, leeches, large aquatic insects and crustaceans—prime meals for bigger fish looking for a high-calorie payoff. On many rivers, especially those with varied habitats like deep pools, undercut banks, and fast riffles, articulated streamers can be fished in multiple ways: stripped fast to provoke a chase, swung through current seams, or jigged along the bottom. Their ability to cover water quickly and tempt the largest fish makes them a versatile, confidence-inspiring choice when conditions are unpredictable or when you’re looking to connect with the river’s apex predators.
Zach Lazzari contributed to an earlier version of this article that was first published in 2018.
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