Choose just 3 fly patterns
Looking at the contents of my fly box recently reminded me I catch 95% of trout on various sizes of just three patterns. I fish predominantly Wellington region rivers with back-country watersheds, Hutt up to the Tukituki, occasionally the Otaki side.
Pheasant Tail, size 18-14
Hare&Copper, size 14-10
Coch-y-bondhu(bonddu), size 14-10
That's it, 2 nymphs, 1 dry. The Hare & Copper gets used when the visibility of the fly needs to be improved; faster or discoloured water, otherwise the PT is the go-to pattern, often size 18 for the smart fish that won't be taken in by a larger size. If taking off the top then a Coch-y, and if it doesn't raise them, then I'll try something else, but usually no interest in the Coch-y points to something else being wrong like drag/poor presentation/tippet too heavy for the conditions.
If you were limited to just three patterns, what would they be?
Tell us what water you fish please so we can understand the logic - and the reason for your success - behind the choices please.
