On the Fly: Top 10 spring flies for the Roaring Fork Valley

• Irresistible Adams — There are a multitude of Adams-style dry flies, and the Irresistible is the answer during rising river levels. The tightly packed and trimmed deer hair body gives this fly the extra buoyancy we need, and we fish this dry fly in sizes 12 through 18.

• Chubby Chernobyl — The Chubby is a go-to dry fly that is the perfect imitation of a golden stonefly or grasshopper. Often used as the top fly in a dry-dropper setup, it is easy to see, floats like a cork, and is a great delivery system for fishing weighted nymphs in shallow water as well. We fish this fly in size 6 through 10.

• Cat Poop Stonefly Nymph — Also known as a Pat’s Rubberlegs, this large, heavy, and leggy fly gets down in the zone when the water speeds up and it imitates a golden stone or salmonfly nymph. Fished in sizes 4 through 12, the tan/brown or coffee/brown versions are the most popular around here.

• RC Coffman’s H and L Variant — This famous fly originates from the Fryingpan River and was President Eisenhower’s favorite dry fly. Larger sizes imitate green drakes; smaller ones can fool a fish looking for caddis or pale morning duns. Fish this fly in sizes 12 down to 18.     

• Elk Hair Caddis — The caddis hatch will begin any day now, and this fly is a must. Available in size 10 down to 18, we tend to tie on the 14 and 16 the most. Simple, buoyant, and highly effective, this dry fly is fished all over the Rocky Mountain West and the world, for that matter.

• Perry Griffin’s Twenty Incher Nymph — Another RFV original that is fished all over the West. Larger sizes imitate stonefly nymphs; smaller sizes mimic green drake mayfly nymphs. Available with or without a bead, we usually use the beaded version during high water and the non-beaded during low water. Every fly box should have these in size 12 through 16.

• Prince Nymph — Another popular fly that has a million variations, but you can usually stick to a beaded version in size 8 through 18. We fish the big ones this time of year, imitating caddis larvae.

• CDC Bead Head Pheasant Tail — Oh Pheasant Tail, how we love thee. Another bug with a ton of variations, the CDC-collared version is what you need this time of year in size 14 through 18.

• Spanish Perdigon — If you need a fly that gets down in the zone in a hurry, look no further. This attractor fly rides hook-up, imitates a plethora of trout foodstuffs and is the go-to for competition anglers the world over. Common sizes are 14 down to 18.

• San Juan Worm — If you were raised with a rod in your hand, you already know the worm is the answer during high water (or any time you are struggling with which fly to try). Worms and annelids wash into the river as the banks become submerged, and some fish feed on these almost exclusively. Try some out in tan or red, in sizes 10 through 14.                                                                                                                                                                    

This report is provided every week by Taylor Creek Fly Shops in Aspen and Basalt. Taylor Creek can be reached at 970-927-4374 or TaylorCreek.com.