Q: What are your favorite flies to use on Delayed Harvest streams?

A: That question is a good one as I see many fisherman frustrated over their catch rates in Delayed Harvest waters often saying that there must have been poachers because they haven’t seen a fish all day. 

At the beginning of the month I like to fish flashy “junkfood” flies. These include various egg patterns, Wooly Buggers, San Juan Worms, and anything else bright and glittery. The reason for this is that directly after stocking the trout don’t know what natural foods in the rivers even look like and better success is had with getting their attention with fly choices rather than trying to specifically match flies to bugs indigenous to the river. 

Towards the end of the month the fish have had time to acclimate to the river and are looking for more realistic patterns. For this time period some of my favorite patterns include rubber legged pheasant tails and hare’s ears, as well Boss Hog stonefly imitations.

For your convenience, our guides have put together a Delayed Harvest Fly Box selection.  This fly box comes with all the “must have” flies for your next trip to a DH stream!

David Grossman ~ CWO Professional Guide