A systematic fly change method: Size → Shape → Color
Published about 1 month ago • 2 min read
Fishy Fridays by Confident Angler: One fly fishing tip, one fly to try, and one inspirational post to get you fired up to fish this weekend. 🎣
Hey Reader,
We had quite a bit of rain this week. Well, a lot for Boise. After a hot and dry stretch, the storm even triggered flash flood warnings around the Treasure Valley.
I was planning to hit the water today, but the river flows are still running higher than normal. They might settle down by the weekend, but I think I’ll stay home and catch up on projects instead. I’ve already got months of fishing footage waiting to be edited.
Change Size, Shape, Then Color When your fly isn’t working, it’s tempting to dig through your box and tie on something completely different. A better approach is to change systematically:
Size first. Trout are often picky about proportions. If you’re fishing a size 14 Hare’s Ear, try an 18 before switching patterns. Going smaller usually helps, though bigger can work too.
Shape next. Think in categories. Mayfly vs. caddis, nymph vs. emerger. Match the general profile of what you see on the water or under a rock.
Color last. If nothing else is working, try a lighter or darker shade of the same fly.
This sequence keeps you from swapping at random and helps you zero in on what fish actually want. Most of the time, it's your drift or depth, not the fly, that makes the biggest difference. But, if your drift looks good, this size, shape, and color flow is a great way to experiment.
🪰 One Fly to Try This Weekend
Foam Cicada (Size 8–10) Cicadas are big, noisy bugs that trout can’t ignore when they’re around. We don’t see many in Idaho, but in other places they’re a main meal of summer.
A foam cicada rides high and lands with a nice plop. That splash often gets a trout’s attention, and the bug’s size makes it worth the effort. If cicadas are buzzing where you fish, tie one on and see what happens.
Earlier this summer, I took my family camping in Oregon. It wasn’t a “fishing trip,” but of course I found a way to sneak in a little time on the water. The real win, though, was slowing down, soaking in the river, and sharing it all with my family.