The Fly That Changed My Life
If you spend enough time fly fishing, the patterns in your fly box start to tell a story.
Not just a story of what works and what doesn’t, but a story of who you were at the time — the mistakes you made, the water you fell in love with, the fish that made you believe in magic. Some flies collect dust, others get retired with honor. And a few? They earn a permanent place in your memories.
For us, certain flies aren’t just effective — they’re unforgettable. They mark turning points in our lives as anglers. The first trout I landed. The first fish I lost that still haunts me. The fly that turned a frustrating day into a triumph. The one that forced me to slow down and pay attention.
These are the flies that shaped how we fish, how we teach, and how we appreciate the water today. Here are some of those flies — and why they might just change the way you fish, too.
Amy’s Ant — The Backcountry Workhorse
Let’s clear this up — I’m not tossing my Aunt Amy into the river, but I am constantly reaching for Amy’s Ant, a high-floating, rugged, do-it-all fly that’s become my go-to for backcountry small stream adventures. Whether I’m hiking in or bouncing down a dusty Forest Service road, I’m chasing wild, unpressured trout in remote waters, and Amy’s Ant just works. It looks like everything and nothing, triggers aggressive eats, and somehow keeps the dinks at bay while drawing out those surprising 12–16 inchers from sidewalk-wide runs. In a world of overstuffed fly boxes, Amy’s Ant keeps things simple, effective, and wildly fun — and that’s why I keep throwing it (and not my aunt) into the river.
— David Leinweber, Angler’s Covey Co-Owner

Sunny Side Up — The Fly That Opened Doors
This was the first pattern where I used a technique I call “posting the bead” — and it changed everything. It caught the attention of Umpqua, helped me connect with industry leaders, and even landed me a spot at the Fly Fishing Show as a celebrity tier. If it weren’t for this fly, I don’t think I’d be where I am today in the world of fly tying. It also inspired my “Scud Bomb,” which uses the same technique and has been one of my top-producing flies over the last two seasons.
— Hans Mylant, Covey Guide & Umpqua Signature Tyer

Buckskin Caddis — The Gamechanger
The buckskin caddis changed everything for me. One of my best days on the Upper Ark was with this fly, and it quickly earned a permanent spot in my box. It’s simple, effective, and will forever be one of my all-time favorites.
— Cheyne Landrum, Covey Guide & Staff Member

Stalcup’s Baetis — The Starter Fly
This was one of the first baetis patterns I ever learned, thanks to a recommendation from Ted Demetriou — the same guide who took me on my very first fly fishing trip. It’s a foundational pattern that’s still part of my rotation today.
— Dillon West, Covey Staff Member

Anthony’s RS2 — The Quiet Confidence
A unique variation of the RS2 was taught to me by one of our former guides — and someone I grew up with and looked up to — Anthony Surage. Anthony was known (maybe even a little infamous) for always fishing a San Juan Worm and an RS2, no matter what the hatch was. And the thing is… it always worked for him. What most people didn’t know was that he had his own twist on how he tied the RS2. After he showed me his version and I spent some time perfecting it, it quickly became my confidence fly — the one I trust when I need something to work.
— Rachel Leinweber Cosico, Angler’s Covey Co-Owner

Hippie Stomper — The Confidence Hopper
The Hippie Stomper has become my go-to terrestrial when traditional hoppers or chubbies fall flat. It just has that “something” that gets fish looking up — and committing.
— Dillon West, Covey Staff Member

Chocolate Foam Back Emerger — The OG Tailwater Trickster
In early 2001, on the Cimarron River in New Mexico, I got one of my first real lessons in fooling picky tailwater trout. My mentor tied on a size 22 Chocolate Foam Back Emerger and cast to one of the dozens of rising fish — it didn’t take long to see just how effective that fly was during a hatch.
Back then, the foam back was still a bit of a secret weapon on places like the Cimarron and San Juan. Especially during baetis hatches, those small, subtle emergers crushed when trout were locked in on transitional stages just beneath the surface.
It took some years, but the secret got out. Somewhere along the line, it got rebranded as “Chocolate Thunder.” Slick name? Maybe. But for those of us who know its roots, it feels like renaming Mile High Stadium — you can slap a sponsor on it, but it’ll always be Mile High to the people who really know.
No matter what you call it, trout still eat them like candy. Even the grey and olive versions still get it done. It’s a timeless pattern — and I’m still fooling trout with the original.
— Juan Ramirez, Covey Guide & MFC Tyer

Cheyne’s No Mercy Midge — The Winter Hero
This is a midge I tie myself, swapping the CDC for poly yarn and a single strand of flashabou. During the winter months, the trout just couldn’t stay away. It’s become a cold-season staple for me.
— Cheyne Landrum, Covey Guide & Staff Member

Foamie Homie — The Community Builder
I tied the first version of the Foamie Homie when I was young, and over the years I refined it into the fly it is today. I started handing it out to random anglers on the river — anyone who asked what I was using — and it sparked conversations, friendships, and eventually got picked up by Fulling Mill. That one fly opened the door to the fly tying industry for me, and it still connects me with new people every season.
— Tyler Boroff, Covey Guide & Fulling Mill Tyer

San Juan Worm — The Eye-Opener
When I first started fly fishing, I was all about dry flies — Brad Pitt style, of course. But everything changed the day I traded some work for a guided trip. That guide handed me a San Juan Worm, and within the first hour, I’d landed multiple fish. It was simple, subtle, and wildly effective. That little fly opened my eyes to the world beneath the surface — and I’ve been a believer ever since.
— Josh Heney, Covey Guide

Griffith’s Gnat — The Versatile Tiny Titan
Griffith’s Gnat has quietly become one of my most reliable flies. I’ve used it during trico hatches, midge hatches, and even as a dropper below a dry. It’s incredibly versatile — subtle enough to be a second dry, effective enough to fool picky trout, and durable enough to earn its place in any box.
— Vince Puzick, Covey Guide

Pheasant Tail — The First Love
The first fly I ever had real confidence in might sound cliché, but it’s true — the classic Pheasant Tail. There’s a reason it’s stood the test of time. It just works. The Black Beauty was actually the first fly I ever tied, and while I’ve sworn off squirmy worms (seriously, I’ve never fished one and I don’t plan to — we all have our line), I’ll gladly tie on an Anne Worm any day. It’s crazy simple, incredibly effective, and no one should leave home without one.
— TJ Spader, Covey Guide

Black and White Cookie — The Legacy Fly
If I had to choose one “legacy fly,” it would be a little pattern I call the Black and White Cookie. It’s nothing fancy — just a dumb midge I tinkered around with — but man, does it work. Simple, subtle, and surprisingly deadly. Sometimes, that’s all it takes.
— TJ Spader, Covey Guide

Smoke Jumper — The Fly That Mimics a Life
I discovered the Smoke Jumper fly while visiting a shop in Montana. Honestly, I bought it because of the name — and a strong recommendation from the shop employee. That decision changed my fly fishing life during the notoriously maddening Trico hatch. I spent 25 years as a firefighter, with many days on the fire line battling wildland fires. Smoke Jumpers are the elite of that world — highly trained, deeply committed. I once met a Smoke Jumper at a Command and Control course at the National Fire Academy, and his professionalism left a lasting impression on me. The fly that shares his name lives up to it. The Smoke Jumper produces eats throughout the entire Trico hatch in Elevenmile Canyon — even when trout are at their pickiest. It’s consistent, reliable, and quietly effective. Just like the men it’s named after.
— Paul Martinez, Covey Guide

There are thousands of flies out there. But for us, these few are more than just patterns — they’re pages in a story that’s still being written.
What flies changed your story?
We’d love to hear about the patterns that hooked you, humbled you, or brought you back to life after a slump. Shoot us a message, stop by the shop, or tag us on Instagram @anglers_covey!
Egg-cellent blog post! 😉
Great piece! Most of these patterns, or similar, are in my box, which is overstuffed, because they work!
Nice twist on fly recommendations. I really enjoyed reading the stories behind each choice. A fine list of flies that get the job done.