Size 14 for attractor patterns; do we need anything else ?

[JeremyW]

Aside from patterns that call for it, do we need a different size for attractors REALLY? I find myself catching a wide variety of fish with a size 14.

I'm moving to the "Hanak Competition H 130 BL" barbless, with a "bent-in" point...

 

[JackM]

I usually go with 15s.

 

[Fly-Swatter]

Define "need".

 

[Tigereye]

In my experience it depends on the fly and the stream.

Oddly, none are #14s I like Royal Wulffs in #12. Adams #16. Stimulator in #10. They are the only 3 I tie or carry. Mostly out of habit.
I guess #14 would be a good compromise. I cant argue your reasoning. For sure carrying more than 2 sizes would be overkill.

 

[caddisflyer]

Size 14 Patriot is a good one.

 

[bigjohn358]

I tie most of my nymphs in 2 sizes. The majority are 12s and I'll do a smaller size in a 16. I have other patterns that I usually like smaller and I will do those in a 14 and 18. I almost ALWAYS skip a size inbetween on my generic patterns.

 

[Silent Ocelot]

Most of the nymphs I run are in 14-16 size with an occasional size 18 in the mix. During summer months I may add in a size 10 in the form of a PT if I choose to nymph for smallmouth and other warm water species.

For dries on small creeks with native brook trout size 14 is good. I like a stimulator in that size as it provides good buoyancy for the size 14 pheasant tail with a 2.5-3mm bead I am hanging off the back of it. It's also easy to see.

 

[Roofin' Trouter]

I find bead size more important than hook size. That said, I tie a lot of attractor nymphs paring 3.3,3.0, and 2.4 beads with size 14 hooks.

 

[Silent Ocelot]

Bead size is critical. I find the "over-sized" bead looking nymphs go deeper and get down faster. A sparse size 14 nymph with a 2.8-3mm bead gets down into the water column faster. This is critical when working colder water when nymph sinking times are slightly delayed due to the water being denser.

 

[Tigereye]

Nymphing being a different game than dry fly fishing, i fish 90% size 16 and 14. I fish more generic than attractor patterns ie hares ear and pt and their variants. Not so sure a hot spot is an "attractor pattern" but it certainly functions as an attractant

 

[Roofin' Trouter]

I really like oversize bead when there is a nice deep run under willows ,root balls,and other overhanging cover .

 

[Vtsalmon]

#14 Ausable bomber is all I need for attractor pattern.

 

[JeffK]

#14 Royal Wulff, Ausable Wulff, Patriot, and Usual have all had their day as my go to attractor pattern. I like the Ausable Wulff in rapids, less so in pools. That said, now I tend towards a yellow stimulator for a dry dropper and a 14 parachute Cahill mid-season on in more heavily fished and quieter streams. In fall my go to attractor pattern is a #14 slate drake.

A #14 Royal Wulff story. Once on the West Branch on a TU trip we were getting the skunk when one guy put on his "hail Mary" fly, a 14 Royal Wulff, and started getting a take or two. Soon they were passed around and we all got into a take or two. As passing boat asked what they were eating and we said a #14 Royal Wulff. He replied, it is OK if you don't want to say but don't BS me. Even technical trout will take an attractor now and again.

 

[Steeltrap]

Start your day with a Walt's Worm at the bottom....and further up go with a FO bead head soft hackle. After that....something green....peeping caddis....

 

[Silent Ocelot]

I like the Walt's worm and Sexy Walt's worm. My friend fishes them religiously.