"adso4" wrote

My question today is, what is your secret, rationale, or theory of fly
rotation that goes beyond Woolly Bugger as the terminator? What is
your initial searching pattern? If you have to change fly pattern
itself, not just downsizing it, then, what fly do you usually go for
next, and then? What is your fly of last resort?

Good question!

For trout, on new to me, flat water, I always research it in advance by
visiting the closest fly shop, tackle shop, internet or friends who advise
me what works that time of year on that water.

1. Upon getting on the water I first sit down and stop, look, watch and
listen.

2. If I observe NOTHING, then except for cold weather, I go with a floating
line and a hopper pattern first then if no action and still observe nothing,
switch to a sink tip and damsel fly nynph. If observe nothing, go to 1.

3. If I observe SOMETHING then I go with what was recommended for the water
or what is indicated at that point of time. Stick with what works. If
nothing works, go back to 1.

Hope this helps LOL!

Good luck!
John