You have been dropped off in the middle of nowhere, with all your fishing gear.

There's a nice water close by, no boat, and you know there's brownies and rainbows within.

Here's the thing, on this partcular day, you've no idea what the fish are feeding on as there's nobody to tell you, and for this particular day also, your entemology skills have been left behind !!!!
(just go with the flow folks !)

So basically, water with fish, but with no idea what's going on within !

So what do you start with for your first cast ?

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The reason I keep smiling is to keep everyone wondering what I've been up to

If it's a stillwater, I'd probably try a buzzer.

make a cuppa and watch the water for 1/2 hour for rises, movement etc.....then choose a fly.

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For the bows it's be Blob, 2 cormies and a competitin cat, for the broonies, point fly - olive fritz muddler 2 middle droppers - dabbler and aleandrina, top dropper pink bumble

Enjoy the scenery for a while, if nothing apparent then a three fly cast with buzzers to start.

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

Yip, depend on the water, ie: stocked stillwater or huge wild loch etc? But a slim, two toned hot heat Damsel lure as always did me well for gauging the depth the fish might be at. Either using a floating or sinking line depending on the depth of the waters. Then after a fish or two (all going to plan), change accordingly to something else. I have particular favourite dry flies that are often good at drawing fish up when nothing seems to be rising!.. But having a look at the water & then sitting back on the bank for a wee while just observing whilst you set up is always advisable!...

Braw!
I'm getting the itch now
*Iona @ The Tarn*

Weighted Cat's Whisker on point, buzzer(s) on dropper(s) depending on wind. Vary the countdown and the retrieve. If the takes come to the buzzers lose the Cat and add another buzzer or maybe a blob if you have reason to suspect a recent stocking. By varying the weight of the point fly you can fish effectively at different depths without changing line or leader too much.

If that doesn't work in the first hour then you'll have observed the conditions long enough to decide whether they are up (dries and emergers, suspender-buzzers etc.) or down (sinking line and Booby).

That's my gambit on new reservoirs.

SharkeyP

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Often thinks not travel widens,
Stay at home the Trout obliges.

Skin up, enjoy the scenery.

As I said, being really cruel, there's no rises, movements, or hatches, nothings happening to help you !!!!

And yes, it's a still-water

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The reason I keep smiling is to keep everyone wondering what I've been up to

The advice I was given for situations such as the one outlined was to tie on something small and black. It usually works, if it doesn't then either try everything else in your box or go home and try another day.