What are your 2 most productive summer Fly Patterns?

[cb2fly]

Hello to all:
I'm headed to Montana next week (more on why I'm going later) and the tying forum has been a little slow lately so... rather than your favorite Western fly, why don't we widen it out and say......

What are your 2 most productive summer Fly Patterns?
Maybe fresh & salt.
I'll chime in after I get back from Montana with the Western Report!
Tight lines, cb2fly
Chuck

[Pete_G]

I like a small sand eel pattern and a snake fly from shore.

From the boat I still operate with a "bigger is better" mentality right through the summer. I adjust if needed though to a smaller pattern such as a baby bunker.

[NJFly]

I ONLY fish the tidal section of the Manasquan river at night with all black jiggy fly. It's my go to and catches everything down to fluke.

During the day(mornings) lately has been a crab fished near to the jetties.

[goangling]

It's got to be the mushmouth and clouser for me! Varying the sizes and colors you pretty much have every small to medium size bait covered.

[Teezer]

Rhody Flatwing
Bigger Rhody Flatwing

[cb2fly]

Thanks to all that answered!! I like the Rhody Flatwing twice-now that's a somebody that has confidence in the fly. The black jiggy fly and the crab fly were most innovative and out of the box- nice summer patterns to fall back on. And Pete, "Bigger is Better- with Bunker"- taken from a Big fish finder- all great comments. Thanks to all those who were in the "Best Flies for Summer"


My sons & I got back from Montana, and have had a very rewarding experience regarding "what's important in life", flyfishing and natures healing powers in Montana. A group of Iraq War vets (5 out of 6 still active duty) were brought to Montana from a San Diego (Military Hospital) by a group of flyfisherman to have a flyfishing "experience". Most of the guys had been in the hospital for months, even years recupertaing from various injuries ( tbi-Tramatic Brain injury, IED's(shrapmetal/limb injuries and other inflictions.

The idea was to give these great men (all Marines) a chance to get out in Nature and let flyfishing and the out of doors help them recover. What a truly life changing experience, to see these young volunteers that served our country be introduced to flyfishing. Many volunteers helped to teach casting, fly tying and strategies for the rivers. The guys got to go out and fish the Madison and the Yellowstone and some still spring creeks in the Bozeman area.

Some of you might be familiar with "Project Healing Waters" a Federation of Fly Fishers/Trout Unlimited Project to provide returning vets with the chance to get out of their regular "hospital and operations that need to be done to repair these men- this program was not affiliated with PHW, but was called "Warriors & Quiet Waters" a brain child of a Vietnam Veteran who saw the "need" to have something for our returning vets and their families, there really are so many men and women that will need our shoulders to lean on, so support with time, money, volunteering and prayers for these people that have put their lives on the line for us. I am not one to be high on a soap box in someone else's face so those that are interested please PM me or I will put up some links for those that would be interested in helping. Our site is Enter AFF , we are a high definition production company and our mission is to help the unsung hero's, these guys certainly qualify. We are creating some marketing and general awareness pieces.

The cause we have chosen is PFC Geoffrey Morris, "Geoffrey Morris Memorial Foundation", a 19 year old young man that was killed in 2004, in the battle of Fallujah. His father Kirk Morris, started a foundation in his name (he is from Chicago) and Kirk's mission is to "help all those that have served and thier families" No matter what war or conflict, his aim is to help, and the outdoors is his platform. He has put on fishing tournaments, BBQ's, Country festivals, flyfishing and hunting, the website is
Welcome to the PFC. Geoffrey Morris Memorial Foundation Official Web Page!
To help support our documentry please put "Documentry " in the check memo area- much appreciated. It is interesting to me the qualities and values of flyfishing and flytying are creating recuperative and healing powers with these young men, I need to go but will keep you updated as to this effort. Thanks and be well, Chuck and the Boys.

[cb2fly]

Oh, and for those looking for my most productive "Western Flies"
I have to give you 3, 1 for stillwater and 2 for the rivers.
On the Madison & Yellowstone Rivers, the combination of a Hopper(size 8) with a stonefly Size 10, dropper was very effective.
For the still waters at a "secret location", the damsel fly in a size 12 with a sink tip and a min 5x tippet was the key. Although I did not do much fishing on the trip, my sons and more importantly the Marines got there time in and were very successful.
Be well and tight lines, Chuck