+1 for Clouser Minnow.
I fish a lot for species other than trout and the CM is just such a versatile streamer fly for other species (and it catches trout too).
Since I was mainly a nite raider I would go with
dark colored woolly bugger size 4 weighted.
There are many good streamers but most have a bad habit of wrapping wing around hook.PIA at nite.
Also WBs good during the day from late fall to summertime.
I never stripped since I was trophy hunting.
Minnies chase
+4s position then short dash,hit baitfish from side,then swallow head first.
Git er down and in their mouth and you won't have to say"well,no bigguns but caught lots uh nice ens".
No excuse.IMNSHO.lol
well, if we are talking just trout a caddis dry of some sort.
but for basic survival i'd say wooly bugger or a minnow representation like the clouser or zonker... . although i do like the gartside softhackle streamer(alot)
I'd go with a woolybugger. A big dark, like Pete uses for night time and bass, and tiny and micro buggers for trout. Sometimes even a nano bugger!
I could fill my entire fly box with woolybuggers in different colors and sizes.
can't be done, to many situations and species of fish. If you break it down more then it could be answered (trout, bass, salt water, etc.) if its just trout a hare's ear nymph