Nine Myths About Fly Choice (VIDEO)

by | Sep 30, 2026 | 4 comments

Tactics | Videos

** NOTE ** Find the YouTube Video Below

Most anglers put a lot of focus on fly choice. And that makes sense, because we have to tie something to the end of the line, and we have to feed something to the trout. The fly is the quickest thing to change, and it’s the easiest thing to blame. Consequently, a lot of myths have grown around fly choice. Here are nine of those myths.

Here’s the Video Timeline

0:00 Quick to Change – Easy to Blame
0:22 The Right Fly
1:12 Big Flies for Big Trout
2:17 Weighted Flies Better Than Split Shot
2:53 More Materials, More Attraction
3:49 Sinking Dry Flies
4:38 Change When Trout Refuse
5:19 Thank You TroutRoutes
6:08 Heavier Flies Sink Faster
7:08 Junk Flies Are For Dirty Water
8:05 Wet Flies Are For Swinging
9:00 Myths Are Usually Half True

Resources

VIDEO: Troutbitten | Riverside: Are Light Nymphs More Effective? Is Less Weight More Natural?
ARTICLE: Troutbitten | Pattern vs Presentation
VIDEO: Troutbitten | Troutbitten Fly Box – Fur Nymphs – How Simple Wins
PODCAST: Troutbitten | Why Do We Miss Fish On a Fly? (S3, Ep11)
PODCAST: Troutbitten | What’s the Deal With Junk Flies?

Here’s the video . . .

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Enjoy the day.
Domenick Swentosky
T R O U T B I T T E N
domenick@troutbitten.com

 

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Domenick Swentosky

Central Pennsylvania

Hi. I’m a father of two young boys, a husband, author, fly fishing guide and a musician. I fish for wild brown trout in the cool limestone waters of Central Pennsylvania year round. This is my home, and I love it. Friends. Family. And the river.

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4 Comments

  1. Rocky on October 1, 2026 at 3:04 pm

    very thoughtful . will be trying some variations I hadn’t thought of before.

    Reply
  2. Rick B on October 1, 2026 at 6:16 pm

    Mostly spot-on! Some random thoughts.

    Change your dry fly if last minute drag causes a lone riser to refuse.

    Heavier flies do not necessarily sink faster. Great point as surface area drag also a factor. Instead of massing your flies (cg) you should measure sink rates (mm/s).

    More materials, especially in streamers, means more material sales for fly shops. A major gripe of mine – on principle.

    Big streamers may get more swipes and boils and slashes but your little half pint gets eats!!!! Money.

    Reply
    • Rick B on October 1, 2026 at 6:18 pm

      Have you considered an edit feature for comments?

      Reply

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Domenick Swentosky

Central Pennsylvania

Hi. I’m a father of two young boys, a husband, author, fly fishing guide and a musician. I fish for wild brown trout in the cool limestone waters of Central Pennsylvania year round. This is my home, and I love it. Friends. Family. And the river.

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