There have been a number of posts about anglers' top five or six flies. We all have our favourites and whilst the same fly or flies replicate often certain flies are peculiar to an individual. Why are they successful? I have a theory that anglers fish certain flies better because they have confidence in them. I think this confidence reflects itself in the way the angler presents and fishes the fly which results in a better catch rate.So the fly or lure goes on and on. I have also noticed when an angler catches a number of fish, on a fly, his confidence increases resulting in more and more fish being caught.

Is confidence in a fly and confidence in one's abilty a large factor in successful fly fishing?

Most certainly, confidence is everything.If there's a nice wind lane, an overcast sky etc I really do expect a fish on my first cast, and it more often than not happens.When you start straying from your favourite patterns, trying to copy exactly what others are doing your confidence goes and you're in a downwards spiral.You really do have to believe in what you're doing, though that does get hard when its thirty degrees and the water is like pea soup!

__________________
Behold the fisherman
He riseth up early and disturbeth the whole household.
MIGHTY ARE HIS PREPARATIONS!
He goeth forth full of hope and when the day is far spent he returneth
Smelling of strong drink, and the truth is not in him

Confidence is certainly a factor, how big a factor is a personal thing. In my experience when I have fished a fly that I do not have a lot of confidence in, I have noticed that I don't concentrate to the same degree.

__________________
Eddie
"We look to Scotland for all our ideas of civilisation."
Voltaire

I think it's everything,if your fishing away with a fly or method you have none in you may as well be at home watching TV

Neil

confidence i think is probably the biggest factor in choosing your flies. I always have a number of flies which i feel will catch more fish than others.

Andy

It's not so much confidence in your flies, rod, reel, line or leader though that is important. What is REALLY important is confidence in your ability. Otherwise how do you expect to improve, or to extend your range of tactics and methods?

In order to make a method that is new to you work, you have to have confidence in your ability to make it work. Crack that one and you've cracked fishing.

Thanks to all who entered into discussion on the above subject there were some very interesting comments.

BK