The Best Anglers Never Stop Learning

The Best Anglers Never Stop Learning

Top Trout Flies Course

Course Author:

Top Trout Flies Course

water-category-icon-white
Coldwater
trout
Trout
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6 Hours, 15 Minutes
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9 Units | 38 Lessons |  2 Chapters

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10 Videos
Course Author:

Course Description

Fly selection is one of the most critical aspects of fly fishing, yet it’s often one of the most confusing. With thousands of patterns to choose from, how do you know which ones to carry? The truth is, you don’t need every fly ever tied—you just need the right flies, in the right variations, for the situations you fish. That’s exactly what this course delivers.

This course breaks down the 10 most effective trout flies—the patterns that have stood the test of time and consistently produce fish across different waters and seasons. More importantly, we go beyond just the flies themselves and show you how to adapt them by adjusting size, color, and materials to match the conditions you’re facing. By the time you finish this course, you’ll not only know which flies to carry, but you’ll also understand why they work, when to use them, and how to modify them for even greater success.

 

What You’ll Learn:

  • The Top 10 Trout Flies & Their Variations: A deep dive into the most productive trout patterns, plus how to tweak them to match real-world conditions.
  • Understanding Fly Design: Learn what makes these flies so effective and how small changes can make a big impact on your fishing success.
  • Matching the Hatch & Fishing the Right Fly: Discover how to choose the right fly based on water type, season, and fish behavior.
  • Fly Selection Strategy: Learn how to confidently pick the right fly instead of second-guessing your choice.
  • Building a Versatile Fly Box: Create a smart, adaptable fly selection that covers a wide range of conditions without overloading your box.

 

Why Take This Course?

  • Cut Through the Noise: Skip the gimmicks and focus on proven patterns that catch fish anywhere.
  • Make Smarter Fly Selections: No more guessing—know exactly which flies to tie on and when to use them.
  • Customize Your Fly Arsenal: Learn how to modify and adapt these flies to match local conditions and specific hatches.
  • Perfect for All Anglers: Whether you’re a beginner building your first fly box or an experienced angler refining your selection, this course will help you fish more effectively.

 

By the end of this course, you’ll have a dialed-in set of trout flies and the confidence to select, modify, and fish them successfully in any situation.

Course Contributors

Unit 1

Introduction

  • What to Expect

Unit 2

Basics of Fly Fishing

  • Introduction
  • Fishing Flies
  • Fly Fishing Entomology
  • Casting and Techniques
  • Observation Skills

Unit 3

WD-40 Nymph

  • About This Fly
  • WD-40 Fly Chart
  • The Secret to the WD-40
  • Entomology of the WD-40
  • When to Fish the WD-40
  • Presentation Tips
  • Variations and Modifications
  • How to Tie the WD-40 Nymph

Unit 4

Pheasant Tail Nymph

  • About This Fly
  • Pheasant Tail Fly Chart
  • The Secret to the Pheasant Tail
  • Entomology of the Pheasant Tail
    • Chapter – Mayfly Nymphs
    • Chapter – Stonefly Nymphs
  • When to Fish the Pheasant Tail
  • Presentation Tips
  • Variations & Modifications
  • How to Tie the Pheasant Tail

Unit 5

Copper John

  • About This Fly
  • Copper John Fly Chart
  • The Secret to the Copper John
  • Entomology of the Copper John
    • Chapter – Mayfly Nymphs
    • Chapter – Stonefly Nymphs
  • When to Fish the Copper John
  • Presentation Tips
  • Variations & Modifications
  • How to Tie the Copper John

Unit 6

Hares Ear

  • About This Fly
  • Hares Ear Fly Chart
  • The Secret to the Hares Ear
  • Entomology of the Hares Ear
    • Chapter – Mayfly Nymphs
    • Chapter – Caddis Nymphs
    • Chapter – Stonefly Nymphs
    • Chapter – Scuds and Sowbugs
    • Chapter – Dragonfly Nymphs
    • Chapter – Damsel Nymphs
  • When to Fish the Hares Ear
  • Presentation Tips
  • Variations and Modifications
  • How to Tie the Hares Ear

Unit 7

San Juan Worm

  • About This Fly
  • San Juan Worm Fly Chart
  • The Secret to the San Juan Worm
  • Entomology of the San Juan Worm
  • When to Fish the San Juan Worm
  • Presentation Tips
  • Variations & Modifications
  • How to Tie the San Juan Worm

Unit 8

Smokejumper

  • About This Fly
  • Smokejumper Fly Chart
  • The Secret to the Smokejumper
  • Entomology of the Smokejumper
    • Chapter – Midge Emergers and Dries
    • Chapter – Mayfly Emergers and Dries
  • When to Fish the Smokejumper
  • Presentation Tips
  • Variations & Modifications
  • How to Tie the Smokejumper

Unit 9

Rubberleg Stimulator

  • About This Fly
  • Rubberleg Stimulator Fly Chart
  • Entomology of the Rubberleg Stimulator
    • Chapter – Stonefly Dries
    • Chapter – Spruce Moths and Terrestrials
  • The Secret to the Rubberleg Stimulator
  • When to Fish the Rubberleg Stimulator
  • Presentation Tips
  • Variations & Modifications
  • How to Tie the Rubberleg Stimulator

Unit 10

Elk Hair Caddis

  • About This Fly
  • Elk Hair Caddis Fly Chart
  • The Secret to the Elk Hair Caddis
  • Entomology of the Elk Hair Caddis
  • When to Fish the Elk Hair Caddis
  • Presentation Tips
  • Variations & Modifications
  • How to Tie the Elk Hair Caddis

Unit 11

Parachute Adams

  • About This Fly
  • Parachute Adams Fly Chart
  • The Secret to the Parachute Adams
  • Entomology of the Parachute Adams
    • Chapter – Mayfly Dries
    • Chapter – Midge Dries
    • Chapter – Caddis Dries
    • Chapter – Stonefly Dries and Hoppers
    • Chapter – Ants and Beetles
    • Chapter – Damsel Flies
  • When to Fish the Parachute Adams
  • Presentation Tips
  • Variations & Modifications
  • How to Tie the Parachute Adams

Unit 12

Woolly Bugger

  • About This Fly
  • Woolly Bugger Fly Chart
  • The Secret to the Woolly Bugger
  • Entomology of the Woolly Bugger
    • Chapter – Damsel Nymphs
    • Chapter – Dragonfly Nymphs
    • Chapter – Leeches
    • Chapter – Stonefly Nymphs
    • Chapter – Dobsonfly Nymphs
    • Chapter – Baitfish
    • Chapter – Crawdads
  • When to Fish the Woolly Bugger
  • Presentation Tips
  • Variations & Modifications
  • How to Tie the Woolly Bugger

Unit 13

Conclusion

  • How to Use This Knowledge
  • 3 Pillars of Fly Fishing
  • Conclusion

Frequently Asked Questions

Question : Why should I focus on just 10 trout flies when there are thousands of patterns out there?

You don’t need hundreds of different flies to be successful—you just need the right flies, in the right variations. This course breaks down the 10 most effective trout flies, explaining how small adjustments in size, color, and material can match almost any hatch or fishing condition. You’ll fish smarter, not harder.

Yes! Many anglers have boxes full of flies but struggle with knowing when and why to use them. This course teaches you how to build a more strategic selection, so you always have confidence in the fly you’re fishing.

Not at all! Whether you tie your own or buy them, this course helps you choose the most versatile and effective patterns. You’ll learn which flies to carry, how to modify them for different conditions, and how to create a fly selection that consistently catches fish.

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