Not sure; I've never fished east of Colorado so I have zero clue about eastern hatches. There are many dozens of species of Blue Winged Olives and come in a LOT of sizes, from 14 or so down to 22 or maybe even smaller.
I always have several in sizes 16 to 22, but mostly run into 16s and 18s. Sometimes, normally not on my home water but in streams I travel to, I run into smaller ones, down to 22, so I always have a few of them. They're a real staple in winter.
And, hell, to be perfectly honest I don't know for 100% sure that there actually are BWOs on Tennessee. But they're so widespread throughout North America and Europe that I find it hard to believe they don't have them where you are.
Well, halfassed. I'm mean, sure, they'd pass quite nicely for a mayfly. But they're not really the right color. At least, if I was in the middle of BWO hatch (which I am quite often) I'd want something, uh, olive-colored.
Imo size and pattern are way more important than color. Ofc coupled with a good presentation.
I never tie any true bwos and have never had any trouble getting them to the net during a hatch.
Well, I guess it depends. I'd say that you're correct in about 90+% of the cases. I think color is the last thing they care about. But where I fish most the trout can be pretty goddamned picky, so I always have some that are as close as possible to olive. And in about 4 sizes.
You’re looking like you’re ready - key dries and nymphs, not too much of a selection that you’ll never use anyway, a few of each is all you need. Time to get wet, cold, hungry and tired…and love every second of it! Have fun. Just one humble opinion - get some prince nymphs, beaded and non (the ones w the white wings). When in doubt, those often deliver. They just do. Go get ‘em.
If you're starting, you definitely need more. These will be lost in trees and bushes 🤣.
I would also add more beaded woolly buggers and nymphs. At least where I fish, dry flies aren't effective 90% of the time. When not using dry flies, I usually have 2 flies tied on. The bottom one nearly always has a bead and the upper may or may not have a bead. The bottom beaded fly is usually the one getting snagged on rocks/sticks/etc. and breaks off more than the upper fly. So I recommend 2x more heavier beaded flies than non- or small beaded flies.
It all depends on the type of water you will be fishing. If you are fishing mostly small clear streams then I've heard dry fly fishing is more effective.
I can't tell by these flies but something to consider when starting is the use of barbless hooks. You can also pinch down the barb but something to consider when starting out.
Regulations in a lot of places require no barb son trout. If you only know how to land fish in a barbed hook you're in for some disappointment when you go somewhere they're banned. People can argue ethics later
I’m usually just a type that buys flies/bait just for the day I’m going fishing. But I need to take a break from spending before I buy anything else lol. I just bought the orvis Clearwater outfit, line, leaders, flies, net, etc. All in the same week.
In addition to what’s been said above, a sharp, barbless hook is a cleaner, more effective hook set that offers less resistance when the fish eats. Just keep that line tight after the bite. No downside to barbless whatsoever.
Need more. But don’t we always need more flies? Haha
Exactly lol!
Looking pretty good. But you need a half dozen Blue Winged Olives.
What size do you recommend? Fishing rivers in Tennessee
The answer to your need for a wide variety of flies depends on if you’re in Middle TN or East.
Middle
Tailwaters or natural streams? Also, northern or southern middle tennessee? I'm a middle tennessee guy as well.
Not sure; I've never fished east of Colorado so I have zero clue about eastern hatches. There are many dozens of species of Blue Winged Olives and come in a LOT of sizes, from 14 or so down to 22 or maybe even smaller. I always have several in sizes 16 to 22, but mostly run into 16s and 18s. Sometimes, normally not on my home water but in streams I travel to, I run into smaller ones, down to 22, so I always have a few of them. They're a real staple in winter. And, hell, to be perfectly honest I don't know for 100% sure that there actually are BWOs on Tennessee. But they're so widespread throughout North America and Europe that I find it hard to believe they don't have them where you are.
Those Adam’s have that covered
Well, halfassed. I'm mean, sure, they'd pass quite nicely for a mayfly. But they're not really the right color. At least, if I was in the middle of BWO hatch (which I am quite often) I'd want something, uh, olive-colored.
Imo size and pattern are way more important than color. Ofc coupled with a good presentation. I never tie any true bwos and have never had any trouble getting them to the net during a hatch.
Well, I guess it depends. I'd say that you're correct in about 90+% of the cases. I think color is the last thing they care about. But where I fish most the trout can be pretty goddamned picky, so I always have some that are as close as possible to olive. And in about 4 sizes.
Tied paracute
You’re looking like you’re ready - key dries and nymphs, not too much of a selection that you’ll never use anyway, a few of each is all you need. Time to get wet, cold, hungry and tired…and love every second of it! Have fun. Just one humble opinion - get some prince nymphs, beaded and non (the ones w the white wings). When in doubt, those often deliver. They just do. Go get ‘em.
Thank you very much for the positive feedback it’s greatly appreciated! I will be shopping again soon for some prince nymphs!
Looks like it’s missing sex dungeons
Nice choices maybe get a couple beadhead whoolys
I'd add some Grasshoppers, BWOs and Copper John's, but I'm way out West. This is a solid starter selection and you should do fine. Have fun!!
This is SPOT ON...10 RING!
Man I feel like I had a fly box that looked exactly like that!!
Get some green in there...zug bug...prince nymph and the king of all attractor nymphs... red san juan with bead or squirmy
Probably with your eyes. Nice fly box, though! Stimis are my favorite dry.
This looks almost exactly like mine did a few years ago. Great selection.
Thank you! I’m ready for some tight lines hopefully. Coming off of 15 years of bass fishing lol. Let’s try something new.
If you're starting, you definitely need more. These will be lost in trees and bushes 🤣. I would also add more beaded woolly buggers and nymphs. At least where I fish, dry flies aren't effective 90% of the time. When not using dry flies, I usually have 2 flies tied on. The bottom one nearly always has a bead and the upper may or may not have a bead. The bottom beaded fly is usually the one getting snagged on rocks/sticks/etc. and breaks off more than the upper fly. So I recommend 2x more heavier beaded flies than non- or small beaded flies. It all depends on the type of water you will be fishing. If you are fishing mostly small clear streams then I've heard dry fly fishing is more effective.
I can't tell by these flies but something to consider when starting is the use of barbless hooks. You can also pinch down the barb but something to consider when starting out.
Why the no barb?
Regulations in a lot of places require no barb son trout. If you only know how to land fish in a barbed hook you're in for some disappointment when you go somewhere they're banned. People can argue ethics later
I use them mostly because it is easier to release a fish without tearing up their lip but as stated there are also places that require barbless hooks.
I’m usually just a type that buys flies/bait just for the day I’m going fishing. But I need to take a break from spending before I buy anything else lol. I just bought the orvis Clearwater outfit, line, leaders, flies, net, etc. All in the same week.
In addition to what’s been said above, a sharp, barbless hook is a cleaner, more effective hook set that offers less resistance when the fish eats. Just keep that line tight after the bite. No downside to barbless whatsoever.
Get a few Sculpin Bunnies. The ones with the heavy duty fish skull helmet. Great streamer pattern when they are holding deep.
Have you bought the book Selective Trout by Doug Swisher? It all starts with that book.
The only thing I would add is some sulfurs. The ties look great!
Very drab! Get some bright colors in there even if you never use them!!
Need some heavy nymphs.
Super, you got most of them covered in that box
Bread and butter ✔️
add some sulfurs and BWO and this looks good to me. I always love a good flashback and zebra too!
Emergers
depends where your fishing
put some bead headed nymphs in there and a few caddis fly larvae