Choosing the right fly- Keep it simple

This question can cause just as many arguments and has been a topic in many of articles and even books!
I am speaking to the beginner for this one (and if you dare listen as an avid fisherman) so the key takeaway is this. You don't need to carry every fly box you own each time you fish. Keep it simple, spend less time tying on a new fly and more time fishing.

I basically use the same flies year after year.  Here are the must haves in your New England fly box:
1. Deceiver - sizes vary upon baitfish, but to me, 2/0 or 3/0 is my choice
2. Clouser
3. Sand eel pattern ( I have a few variations, sizes and lengths)
4. Crease fly - for those topwater bites and bluefish
5. Cinder worm ( if fishing salt ponds)

Specialty flies are geared towards certain fish in specific locations. I love varieties of EP peanut bunker and Cowen's magnum for stripers as well as Surf candy for whitewater. Also crab patterns and squid may be mixed in but for only a minimum amount of time.

Freshwater:
The best option is to go to your local tackle shop, take a look at the fly bin and see which ones are empty. That gives you a pretty good idea of what's working!  For the most part, you will have a variation of the following:

1. Prince Nymphs (or other Stonefly pattern. Stoneflies are the most prevalent insect in most NA rivers)
2. Pheasant tails
3. Hare's ear
4. Wooly bugger
5. Muddled minnow

Dry flies:
1.Adams
2. Dun/Sulphers
3. Spinner
4. Stimulator
5. Caddis

Now, if you open up any magazine, you will see hundreds of variations and choices. The next few sentences are crucial: the best fly will be the one you fish with confidence.

To have confidence, you must first educate yourself on the water you are about to fish. Before you even step into the water, lift a rock or grab your binoculars and search for bait or insects. When you find one, do your best to match that pattern with a fly either on you or at the store.

90% of a trouts diet is on Nymphs so you would be smart to start there. Saltwater is about what bait is getting balled up. Sometimes we need to rely on the birds to help us here. See what they pull up and go for size.

Remember, Never ever touch a fly after you just put sunscreen on! That is a surefire way to put away many fish!

Tight lines and great questions!
Capt. Brian