Hey, I was hoping to get a little more knowledge on the egg bite and some hopper info. I have'nt actually fished either one yet, and I'm starting to build both fly reserves. I have been looking at past posts as well as trying to gain other info. Can anyone help answer a few questions to help get me started?
Biggest questions are:
1) What size and type of eggs and hoppers/Ants should I start to accumulate. I usually fish the Sierra area, Yuba, American, Sac, etc. I'm a bit confused and would just like to be pointed in the right direction, mainly sizes. (Trout, Steelies) I'm not looking for someones secrets, I'm just not very strong on these topics yet. I guess I'm looking for fly box must haves. I definately hit the local fly shops for the areas as well when I go fishing but right now I'm just ordering staple fly's for my box.
1. Eggs - Size range should be from 8 to 12. Colors should range from dark red to yellow with everything in between. You can get away without having egg patterns for the Sierras. Most people use them behind spawning salmon in conjuction with some nymph pattern. You can fish them behind a spawning brown, but that act is frowned upon by some. Here is a basic orange Glo Bug.
2. Hoppers - Size range should be from 6 to 12. Have the usual muted colors plus some wild colors. I have been going away from the traditional deer hair hoppers and been opting for foam ones. That way I don't have to deal with floatant. Here is Mikey Wier's Whopper.
3. Ants - Most Sierra ants range from a size 12 to 18. Two colors should cover you: black and cinnamon. Here is a Para Ant.
For whatever reason I've never really done well at all with ants or hopper patterns. On the other hand a good stimulator pattern works really well for me and seems to do a good job of looking like a stonefly or terrestrial of various sorts.
I definately hit the local fly shops for the areas as well when I go fishing but right now I'm just ordering staple fly's for my box.
