Fly Pattern Rankings

Best Dry Flies for Trout

The most versatile dry fly for western trout fishing is the Parachute Adams, recommended on more rivers than any other dry fly in our database. The Elk Hair Caddis and Chubby Chernobyl round out the top three, together covering caddis hatches and attractor fishing across all six western states.

Last updated: February 2025

Dry Fly Versatility Rankings
Rank	Pattern	Rivers (Top Pick)	Rivers (Any)	Seasons	Hook Sizes
#1	Parachute Adams	84	103	spring, summer, fall	#12-22
#2	Elk Hair Caddis	78	84	spring, summer, fall	#12-18
#3	Chubby Chernobyl	36	64	summer, fall	#6-12
#4	Stimulator	27	46	summer, fall	#6-14
#5	PMD Comparadun	23	38	summer	#14-18
#6	Trico Spinner	17	25	summer, fall	#18-24
#7	X-Caddis	9	12	spring, summer	#14-18
#8	Norm Wood Special	8	11	summer	#4-8
#9	Purple Haze	1	6	spring, summer, fall	#12-20
#10	Griffith's Gnat	0	22	spring, summer, fall, winter	#18-24
#11	Royal Wulff	0	14	summer, fall	#10-16
#12	Pale Morning Dun Sparkle Dun	0	5	summer	#14-18
#13	Deer Wing Alder	0	1	summer	#10-14
#14	Mercer's Flush Floater Foam Stone	0	1	summer	#6-10

The 14 Best Dry Flies, Ranked

Parachute Adams

84 rivers (top pick)Sizes #12-22

The ultimate all-around dry fly. The Parachute Adams imitates a wide range of mayflies and works as a searching pattern on virtually every trout river in the West. The white post makes it easy to track in riffles.

Madison River Yellowstone River Gallatin River Missouri River Bighorn River Arkansas River Colorado River Frying Pan River Gunnison River South Platte River North Platte River Snake River Green River Bighorn River (Wyoming)New Fork River Henry's Fork Silver Creek South Fork Boise River Deschutes River Crooked River Metolius River McKenzie River Owyhee River Methow River Skagit River Rocky Ford Creek Lower Sacramento River McCloud River Hat Creek Fall River Upper Sacramento River Truckee River East Walker River Hot Creek Truckee River East Fork Carson River Jarbidge River Ruby Mountains / Lamoille Creek Bruneau River Great Basin NP Streams San Juan River Rio Grande Pecos River Rio Chama Colorado River at Lees Ferry Oak Creek Davidson River Tuckasegee River Nantahala River Watauga River Wilson Creek Deep Creek Linville River South Toe River Mitchell River Upper Kennebec River Rapid River Roach River Crooked River Androscoggin River Saco River Pemigewasset River Swift River Ellis River Ammonoosuc River Baker River Mascoma River Souhegan River Battenkill River White River Winooski River Lamoille River Dog River Walloomsac River Mettawee River Otter Creek New Haven River Penns Creek Little Juniata River Big Fishing Creek Yellow Breeches Creek Kettle Creek Slate Run Tulpehocken Creek

Elk Hair Caddis

78 rivers (top pick)Sizes #12-18

Al Troth's classic caddis imitation is a must-carry pattern. Buoyant, visible, and deadly during evening caddis hatches from the Madison to the Yakima. Also works as a searching pattern in pocket water.

Madison River Gallatin River Arkansas River Colorado River Frying Pan River Gunnison River South Platte River Snake River Bighorn River (Wyoming)New Fork River South Fork Snake River Salmon River South Fork Boise River Metolius River McKenzie River Yakima River Methow River Skagit River Klickitat River Lower Sacramento River McCloud River Upper Sacramento River Pit River Truckee River Upper Klamath River Truckee River East Fork Carson River Jarbidge River Ruby Mountains / Lamoille Creek Bruneau River Great Basin NP Streams Rio Grande Pecos River Rio Chama Colorado River at Lees Ferry Oak Creek East Fork Black River Chevelon Creek Davidson River Tuckasegee River Nantahala River Watauga River Wilson Creek Deep Creek Linville River South Toe River French Broad River Mitchell River West Branch Penobscot River Kennebago River Roach River Crooked River Moose River (Jackman)Androscoggin River Pemigewasset River Swift River Ellis River Ammonoosuc River Baker River Mascoma River Souhegan River Battenkill River White River Winooski River Lamoille River Dog River Deerfield River (Upper)Walloomsac River Mettawee River Otter Creek New Haven River Penns Creek Little Juniata River Big Fishing Creek Yellow Breeches Creek Kettle Creek Slate Run Tulpehocken Creek

Chubby Chernobyl

36 rivers (top pick)Sizes #6-12

The modern attractor dry fly of choice. Floats like a cork, supports dropper nymphs easily, and triggers aggressive strikes in pocket water. Essential for dry-dropper rigs across the West.

Stimulator

27 rivers (top pick)Sizes #6-14

The Stimulator is the go-to stonefly imitation for freestone rivers. Essential during golden stonefly season and effective as an attractor in riffles and pocket water throughout summer.

PMD Comparadun

23 rivers (top pick)Sizes #14-18

The PMD Comparadun is essential during pale morning dun hatches — among the most important mayfly emergences on western tailwaters. The flush-floating profile convinces even selective fish.

Trico Spinner

17 rivers (top pick)Sizes #18-24

Essential for trico spinner falls, particularly on tailwaters like the Missouri and Bighorn. Tiny (size 18-22) but deadly during late-summer morning spinner falls.

Missouri River South Platte River North Platte River Green River Bighorn River (Wyoming)Silver Creek Rocky Ford Creek Hat Creek Fall River Hot Creek East Walker River Battenkill River Penns Creek Spring Creek Spruce Creek Yellow Breeches Creek Big Spring Creek

X-Caddis

9 rivers (top pick)Sizes #14-18

Craig Mathews' X-Caddis is the go-to when trout refuse standard caddis patterns. The trailing shuck gives fish a better trigger point during caddis emergences.

Henry's Fork Deschutes River McKenzie River Owyhee River Methow River Rapid River Grand Lake Stream East Outlet of the Kennebec River Saco River

Norm Wood Special

8 rivers (top pick)Sizes #4-8

The biggest dry fly in the box — and the most exciting to fish. Essential during the legendary salmonfly hatches on the Madison, Yellowstone, and Deschutes rivers.

Madison River Yellowstone River Gunnison River Henry's Fork South Fork Snake River Deschutes River Yakima River Pecos River

Purple Haze

1 rivers (top pick)Sizes #12-20

Born on the Gallatin River, the Purple Haze is a regional favorite that has gone national. A great attractor pattern in sizes 14-18 for mountain freestone rivers.

Gallatin River

Griffith's Gnat

0 rivers (top pick)Sizes #18-24

The Griffith's Gnat is one of the most versatile and effective midge patterns ever created, and it remains a staple in fly boxes across North America. Designed by George Griffith in the 1960s, this si

Royal Wulff

0 rivers (top pick)Sizes #10-16

The Royal Wulff stands as one of fly fishing's most iconic and recognizable attractor dry flies, featuring a distinctive red floss body, white calf tail wings, and peacock herl shoulder and tail. Crea

Pale Morning Dun Sparkle Dun

0 rivers (top pick)Sizes #14-18

The Pale Morning Dun Sparkle Dun is an elegant and effective pattern designed to imitate adult Pale Morning Dun mayflies (Ephemerella species) during one of the most prolific and predictable hatches i

Deer Wing Alder

0 rivers (top pick)Sizes #10-14

The Deer Wing Alder is a classic dry fly pattern designed to imitate adult alder flies and certain caddisfly species, particularly the zebra caddis. This traditional pattern features a deer hair wing

Mercer's Flush Floater Foam Stone

0 rivers (top pick)Sizes #6-10

Mercer's Flush Floater Foam Stone is a revolutionary dry fly pattern designed to imitate adult stoneflies, particularly salmonflies and golden stones during their brief but spectacular emergence perio

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best all-around dry fly for trout?

The Parachute Adams is the best all-around dry fly for trout. It imitates a wide range of mayflies, is visible in most conditions, and works on rivers from Montana to Washington. If you could only carry one dry fly, this is it.

What size dry fly should I use for trout?

Start with sizes 14-16 for general prospecting. Match the hatch when you see rising fish — PMDs are typically size 16, caddis 14-16, tricos 18-22, and stoneflies 4-10. When in doubt, go one size smaller than you think.

What is the difference between a dry fly and a nymph?

Dry flies float on the water's surface and imitate adult insects. Nymphs sink below the surface and imitate immature insects. Trout feed subsurface about 80% of the time, but dry fly fishing — watching a trout rise to your fly — is the most exciting way to catch trout.