Size matters?

[bric2000]

I am trying to get a fly order together and am wondering how many sizes of the same fly I will need.
Is there really a need to carry various sizes of the same fly? Is there a general size that works best?
Thanks!

 

[dryflyguy]

It depends on what kind of fly.

For drys:
Most mayflys are usually imitated with one or two sizes.
However some - notably sulphers and BWO's - come in many sizes.
I tie sulphers in from #12 on down to #20.
And BWO's from #14 on down to #22.
Caddis are generally a #16. However the brachycentrus (grannoms) are a larger #14

 

[Fishidiot]

bric,
This is a broad question and hard to answer as some flies you will want in different sizes. However, if you're new to fly fishing and getting your first order of flies together, I would focus more on different patterns rather than sizes. For those that you may want different sizes - for example a black ant in #20 and #16 - you should probably stick to just two sizes.

 

[Swattie87]

Yeah dfg's right...it can get kind of specific. Let us know what kind of fishing you're looking to do (I assume it's trout), and on what kind of streams (large/small/freestone/limestone), and what flies you're looking in to getting. We'll be able to give ya a much more accurate answer.

 

[afishinado]

I get a chance to peek into noobies fly boxes quite often, and most times I see various patterns, but mostly all in one size (usually rather large).

In general, would rather fish out of a box with flies in various sizes, colors and shapes. Small to large - dark/dull/natural to light/bright/shiny - upright wing dries(for mayflies) and down wing ones (for caddis and stoneflies).

With specific hatches, think size first, form next (upright/down-wing), and color last (light or dark rather than exact color).

Try an Adams dry for all darker mayflies in size 10-20

Use a sulpher or cahill pattern in 12-18 for all light colored Mayflies

Get a tan Caddis pattern for light colors and a dark gray or green for darker ones, both in size 12 -18 to imitate caddis and stones.

Do the same for nymphs - small to big, light to dark, and add in some bright and shiny ones.

If your buy or tie flies as recommended above, you should find a suitable imitation to fool some fish.