I use a size 2 more than any other for my winter flies. It's large enough to tie a fly that can be seen in slightly off-color water. That is, I can see it fairly well in water of a foot and a half visibility or so. A 2 is light enough to cast comfortably with an 8 wt. outfit, which is what I've done most of my winter fly fishing with until I began using two-handed rods. Large and heavy hooks detract from grace and style in casting, which is a large part of the satisfaction I derive from fly fishing.

The range of sizes I generally use is from 6 to 1. I have used some larger hooks, up to size 4/0, but they were no fun to cast and didn't improve my catch rate at all.

The most productive colors are the colors that I use. I believe that if I tied flies in other colors, then I would find them to probably be just as productive as the ones I've been using for over 20 years. Basics, red, orange, chartruese, black, purple. Very little white, pink, grey, brown, although they have all worked for me.


Sincerely,

Salmo g.

[ 12-27-2001: Message edited by: Salmo g. ]