Big and Small Flies . . . Not much in between.

[podum]

I've noticed over the last couple of years that i almost never fish medium sized flies (sizes 12-16).  I've gravitated toward small to very small dries and nymphs (18-24) and streamers (10 on down).  Happened by accident based on success and confidence i guess.  To those of you that throw a lot of flies in the 12-16 size range, what am i missing?

 

FWIW i fish mostly on Niangua, Taneycomo and a few other white ribbons in MO and in the Colorado high country a few times per year.

[jtram]

Throw some bigger midges (14-16) and maybe drop an attractor pattern in those middle sizes and see what happens. I fish a lot of #10 and #12 nymphs on freestones and usually do fairly well.

Sometimes you just have to go small though. A few weeks ago me and Amery had to go down to #20 to get bit on beaver.

[podum]

Bigger midges is a good suggestion.  Never tried that.  I hate throwing tandem rigs so I avoid attractor flies.  

[Amery]

Maybe get comfortable with tandem rigs. Jtram never leaves the house without one. 

[Al Agnew]

In Missouri I almost never fish nymphs in any size OTHER than 12-16s.  I might go down to an 18 in super clear, low water.  I don't think the fish much care, it's all a matter of your confidence.

[fishinwrench]

I find a #14 nymph the most useful/productive.  It's kinda small yet still has a decent hook gap and fishes well on 5x 

About 6 years ago I started using a no-slip loop knot on flys 14 and up, and I really think it makes a difference.  I've done it enough that I can make the loop really tiny.  Allowing the fly to hinge instead of being bossed around by the tippet just makes sense to me.  

[podum]

Al, I think confidence is the biggest driver.  Wrench, I like the loop knot idea.  Sometimes I like to plan a fishing day where I commit to doing something different, and out of my comfort zone for the whole day.  I think I'll do size 12-16s and loop knots on the next outing.

[Amery]

3 minutes ago, podum said:

Al, I think confidence is the biggest driver.  Wrench, I like the loop knot idea.  Sometimes I like to plan a fishing day where I commit to doing something different, and out of my comfort zone for the whole day.  I think I'll do size 12-16s and loop knots on the next outing.

With a tandem rig?

[podum]

No promises.  I hate the lob casting you have to do with those trawler rigs.  

[Gavin]

Depends on where you go...On the NFoW or 11pt. I'm usually fishing a #4 pats rubberlegs and a smaller nymph in the 12-14 range. Same flies will work on the Current too, but I go with big dries in the 6-8 range and some in the 12-28 range, and nymphs in the 12-18 range most of the time. If I fished tailwaters and trout parks, smaller flies would be the norm. Rainbows will eat little 2" long wolly buggers, but  brown trout seem to like stuff in the  3.5-5" range.

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