06/15/2026
If you’re not catching trout, try this…👇
One thing I’ve learned through all my years of guiding is that a lot of anglers fish flies that are way too small.
I love fishing oversized bugs. Whether it’s caddis, mayflies, stoneflies, or even midges, I’m usually fishing a larger profile than most people around me. During those early morning midge hatches, I’ll often tie on an oversized midge pattern to make it easier for trout to see and easier for me to track on the water.
Now, don’t get me wrong—there are definitely days when going smaller is the answer. As a guide, I’ll try just about everything until I figure out what the fish want. Sometimes it’s a tiny midge, sometimes it’s a size 20 mayfly, and sometimes it’s the biggest bug in my box.
But if there’s one thing I’ve seen time and time again, it’s that bigger bugs have a way of finding bigger trout. A large meal is worth the effort for a trophy fish, and some of the best browns I’ve ever landed have come on oversized patterns when everyone else was focused on matching the hatch perfectly.
The next time the fishing gets tough, don’t automatically reach for a smaller fly. Sometimes the answer is going bigger and showing trout a meal worth eating.
Do you size up or size down when the fishing gets tough? 🎣👇
đź“ą Amanda Rae
