I've a lot of tying to to this winter and I wondered about how many sizes to tie of particular flies? I know what sizes I usually fish but that's limited by budget and number of flies. Now I've bought up materials for the winter I can tie loads... but should I bother with some sizes?

So do you often use size 14's when fishing a team on the drift? If you do is it for Bows or Brownies? Also if you do go small do you ever use small flies (14 and down) on the bob or do you just use smaller buzzer/nymph patterns on the point or dropper?

I've never fished a 14 on the bob even in a ripple rather than a wave reasoning that the whole point of the bob is to create a disturbance to draw fish up/in and that they'll either snatch it or turn and hopefully hit the dropper or point (which I do sometimes fish small).

Basically I'm thinking that I may as well tie some other (more imitative small patterns) patterns rather than tie Bumbles/Dabblers/Zulus/etc. at 14 but I'm scared I'll be missing a trick.

What are your thoughts peeps?

PS. I've not tied any blobs yet but surely no-one fishes a 14 or 16 blob do they?!?

Years ago on Leven (before rainbows were introduced) used to fish 14 and 16 wee doubles on cast of three or four with good results!
Same tacticts often worked for me for rainbows as well.
Nowadays i tend to stick to singles but still fish small when conditions/hatch dictates.
Which is probably the answer! Sometimes big and bushy, sometimes small and delicate depending on wave / ripple and hatch!
regards
bert

Thanks for taking the time to reply Bert. So in your opinion is it useful to tie the bushy flies like Bumbles and Dabblers small too or would you have just used a small Kate, DB or spider rather than one of those?

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Come on folks save me some time at the vice, what flies do you fish small and what do you leave to the larger sizes?

Hi,
Dont know if this helps, but for buzzer fishing i use size 8 (yes size 8) down to a 18 per fly. Other flies generally in 3 sizes per fly. 12/14 and 16.

Dave

I think that 12s and 10s are the optimum size for trad wet fly fishing.The method is at its very best in a decent wave/good blow, conditions in which a smaller or sparser fly simply gets lost.

In the past, I often used to use 14 s and 16s in a light ripple, and with some success, but have come to the conclusion that there are other more consistently effective methods to apply in such conditions, rather than pulling traditionals. So I very rarely use traditional wet flies smaller than a 12 .

probably not worth trying to tye bumbles and dabblers any less than 12, as you would only end up with same overall size fly if tied on 14. (you know what i mean).you are right in assumption though, small kates, bibios, zulus in warmer lighter ripples. same maxim as in salmon fishing, higher air temperature smaller the fly, but slightly bigger if good wave.
regards
bert

Thanks Bert Dave and Jimmy (sounds like a 60's pop group when written down like that).

I've not used #14's on a trad drift either preferring to fish a dry and dropper NZ style when the ripple is that slight and the drift that slow. Are those the sort of tactics you meant Jimmy?

Aye, when the wind drops away to a light ripple I prefer to either look for risers to pick off with dries. Or just generally slow things down by straight line nymphing rather than use a pulled retrieve.