Dry Flies
The dry is by far the most exciting type of fly to catch fish with. You may not catch as many using surface patterns, but you'll certainly have more fun! In Colorado, fish can be taken on all sizes of dry flies, from #6 stimulators (stonefly) down to those microscopic tricos (22-26). You'd be a fool to fish anywhere in Colorado without a selection of Blue-Wing Olives, Elk Hair Caddis, and Adams; all in sizes 16-22. Parachute patterns can be as effective, if not more, as traditional hackled patterns. It is important to match your tippet size with the size of your fly, don't be too lazy to tie on finer tippet! You may have 'matched the hatch', but if the fish see your line they won't come near. Below, you'll find a few 'must have's' for dry fly fishing in the Rockies.
Trico (try-coe) Adams Stimulator
*4 wings instead of 2 *Moose tail and body *Orange, Yellow
Pale Morning Dun Blue-Winged Olive Caddis
*Brown tail/hackle (evening dun) *Quill wings *Several variations in body color
tent-style wings
Rusty Spinner
*Tied with cellophane wings
Midges~Nymphs~Emergers~Terrestrials~Classics