2018’s Top Ten Best Selling Flies

How many times do you walk into a fly shop and wonder, which flies are the best choice for your upcoming day of fishing.  Often times anglers are scouring the bins looking for which ones are close to empty, indicating that these may be the “hot fly” in that area.  After some conversations with our friends at Umpqua Feather Merchants, we were sent a list of the top 10 selling flies, nationwide, for all fly shops.  If you are an angler looking to up your game, it would probably be a good idea to stock up on these flies and make them staples in your fly box.

  1. Sparkle Wing RS2

A variation of the original RS2, but with a little bit of flash that can make all the difference. This is a must-have for western tail-water fisheries.  This fly ads some sparkle to the tail and the wing.

  • -Size Range: #18-#22
  • -Colors: Black, Gray, Olive, Purple
  • -Most Popular: Size #18-Gray

  1. Rainbow Warrior

Another favorite for tail-water fisheries, this bright colored nymph makes fish move out of their way to eat. This fly seems too flashy, but for some reason the fish love it.  If you are having a tough day on the river, tie one of these on and give it a go.

  • -Signature Tyer: Lance Egan
  • -Size Range: #16-#22
  • -Options: Brass Bead, Tungsten Bead, Jig, X-heavy hook with Tungsten Bead
  • -Colors: Black, Pearl, Red
  • -Most Popular: Size #18 Pearl-Tungsten

  1. Two Bit Hooker

This mayfly nymph is a great fly to present to picky fish. It’s slender design and heavy double weights, gets the fly down in the water column quickly.

  • -Signature Tyer: Charlie Craven
  • -Size Range: #14-#18
  • -Colors: Black, Brown, Dark Olive, Light Olive, Pink, Purple, Red
  • -Most Popular: Size #14 Red

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  1. Frenchie

A very quick and easy fly to tie. This fly represents a simpler version of a pheasant tail nymph.

  • -Signature Tyer: Lance Egan
  • -Size Range #12-#18
  • -Colors: Pheasant Tail
  • -Options: Tungsten, Jig
  • -Most Popular: Size #16 Tungsten

  1. Corn-Fed Caddis

One of my favorite caddis patterns, the Corn-Fed Caddis represents a struggling adult caddis on the surface of the water. The CDC produces a lifelike silhouette and movement.  This is a great front fly for a caddis hatch on flat or fast water.

  • -Signature Tyer: Lance Egan
  • -Size Range #14-#18
  • -Colors: Olive, Tan
  • -Most Popular: Size #16 Tan

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  1. Baby Gonga

This double hooked, extremely life-like streamer is a go-to fly for most trout rivers. This fly also works exceptionally well for bass and other species.  Cast it out, strip it back, watch it wiggle.

  • -Signature Tyer: Charlie Craven
  • -Size: #8
  • -Colors: Black, Olive, Rainbow, Rust, Tan/Yellow, Gray
  • -Most Popular: Size #8 Rainbow

It's streamer time. What should you choose? Read here.

  1. Morrish Hopper

Perhaps one of the most popular grasshopper patterns ever developed, the Morrish Hopper is nothing but foam, legs, and a hook. This fly is tough and is a go-to guide fly for late summer and early fall.

  • -Signature Tyer: Ken Morrish
  • -Size Range: #6-#14
  • -Colors: Black, Golden, Green, Pink, Tan, Brown, Purple
  • -Most Popular: Size #12 Tan

  1. Tungsten Thin Mint

This is a must-have bugger/streamer pattern for still waters. This fly represents leeches, nymphs, and small baitfish.  Its thin profile, and tungsten weight, allows the fly to sink quickly into the strike zone.

  • -Size Range: #6-#12
  • -Colors: Copper, Olive/Brown/Black
  • -Most Popular: Size #6 Olive/Brown/Black

  1. Chubby Cherynobyl

Best known as a “chubby” among guides, this fly has a very visible antron wing that allows anglers to see it clearly. It is used to represent hoppers and stoneflies and is also a great indicator fly when fishing multiple flies.

  • -Size Range: #6-#16
  • -Colors: Black/Tan, Gold, Olive, Orange, Pink, Pteronarcys, Purple, Red, Royal, Tan
  • -Most Popular: Size #12 Royal

  1. Hippy Stomper

Tied by one of the most innovative fly tyers in the world, the hippie stomper stomps big fish on the surface. This fly represents a variety of bugs including hoppers, stoneflies, beetles, ants, and more.

  • -Signature Tyer: Andrew Grillos
  • -Size Range: #8-#18
  • -Colors: Black, Brown, Lime, Orange, Pink, Purple, Red, Royal, Silver, Yellow
  • -Most Popular: Size #12 Purple

-By Umpqua Feather Merchants