For anglers seeking success on the UK’s still waters, certain traditional flies have stood the test of time. These patterns are trusted by generations of trout fishermen and remain highly effective across a range of conditions. The table below presents over 50 of the most classic UK stillwater trout flies, including their origins, typical hook sizes, ideal seasons, and tips for use.
| Fly Name | Origin / Notes | Hook Size | Best Season / Conditions | Key Features / Tips |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adams | US origin, widely used in the UK | 12–16 | Spring–Autumn | General dry fly; imitates a variety of mayflies. |
| Buzzer (Black Buzzer) | UK stillwater classic, imitates pupating midges | 14–20 | Late spring–Autumn | Fast-sinking point fly; effective on buzzer-heavy days. |
| CDC Emerger | Continental origin, adopted in the UK | 14–18 | Spring–Autumn | Imitates insects emerging from the surface; very effective in calm conditions. |
| Cheese Fly | UK traditional; often used for stillwaters | 14–16 | Spring–Summer | Dry fly pattern; floats well in gentle conditions. |
| Claret & Black | Traditional UK wet fly | 12–16 | Spring–Autumn | Attractive to wary trout; good on slow-drifting lines. |
| Claret & Peacock | UK wet fly | 12–16 | Spring–Autumn | Classic nymph pattern; versatile subsurface. |
| Claret Buzzer | UK stillwater | 14–18 | Spring–Autumn | Effective on buzzer-dominated days; slow-sinking. |
| Czech Nymph | Central European; popular in UK | 12–16 | Year-round | Heavy nymph pattern; good for deep water. |
| Diawl Bach (Small Devil) | Welsh; highly versatile | 10–16 | Spring–Autumn | Excellent as point fly or washing line; can be fished floating or slow-sinking. |
| Dun Emerger | UK mayfly emerger imitation | 14–18 | Spring–Autumn | Suspends just under the surface; works in calm conditions. |
| Elk Hair Caddis | US origin, widely adopted in UK | 12–16 | Summer | Dry fly; floats well, highly visible. |
| Fantail | UK traditional wet fly | 12–16 | Spring–Autumn | Attractive under slow retrieves; classic pattern. |
| Gold-ribbed Hare’s Ear (GRHE) | European classic | 12–16 | Year-round | Very versatile nymph; works in all stillwaters. |
| Hare’s Ear Nymph | US origin, popular in the UK | 12–16 | Year-round | General-purpose nymph; can be fished on a team of nymphs. |
| Humpy | US dry fly, adopted in UK | 10–14 | Spring–Autumn | High-floating dry fly; attracts selective trout. |
| Klinkhamer Special | Dutch origin; highly effective in UK lakes | 12–16 | Spring–Autumn | Emerger-style; suspends just under the surface. |
| Mayfly (Blue Wing Olive, BWO) | UK classic | 14–18 | Spring–Autumn | Imitates small mayflies; great as a dry fly or emerger. |
| Montana | US origin; classic UK dry fly | 12–16 | Spring–Autumn | Good general-purpose pattern; floats well. |
| Olive Quill | UK traditional wet fly | 12–16 | Spring–Autumn | Attractive in slower waters; floats and sinks depending on dressing. |
| Partridge & Orange | UK traditional wet fly | 12–16 | Spring–Autumn | Classic pattern; effective in most conditions. |
| Partridge & Green | UK wet fly | 12–16 | Spring–Autumn | Versatile nymph; popular on stillwaters. |
| Peacock & Blue | UK wet fly | 12–16 | Spring–Autumn | Subsurface pattern; general-purpose. |
| Peacock & Claret | UK wet fly | 12–16 | Spring–Autumn | Classic UK nymph; versatile. |
| Peacock & Gold | UK wet fly | 12–16 | Spring–Autumn | Bright pattern; effective in overcast conditions. |
| Pheasant Tail Nymph (PT Nymph) | Classic European pattern | 14–18 | Year-round | Extremely versatile; ideal for buzzer or sedge hatches. |
| Red Tag | UK classic wet fly | 12–16 | Spring–Autumn | Popular all-rounder; attracts attention with red tail. |
| Royal Wulff | UK adaptation of classic Wulff | 10–14 | Summer; bright conditions | High-visibility dry fly; good for selective trout. |
| Silver Invicta | UK traditional nymph | 12–16 | Spring–Autumn | Shiny bead head; imitates emerging insects. |
| Silver Doctor | UK wet fly | 12–16 | Spring–Autumn | Classic pattern; attractive under a slow retrieve. |
| Sedge (Green Sedge, Claret Sedge) | UK traditional | 12–16 | Spring–Autumn | Imitates sedge pupae; versatile on stillwaters. |
| Soft Hackle (Partridge Soft Hackle) | UK wet fly | 12–16 | Year-round | Great for mimicking emerging insects; floats and sinks. |
| Sparkle Dun | UK dry fly | 14–18 | Spring–Autumn | Imitates small mayflies; reflective, subtle attractor. |
| Spider (Ginger, Claret) | UK wet fly | 12–16 | Spring–Autumn | Classic traditional pattern; very effective. |
| Thunder & Lightning | UK wet fly | 12–16 | Spring–Autumn | Attractive subsurface; general-purpose. |
| Tups Indispensable | UK traditional wet fly | 12–16 | Spring–Autumn | Reliable all-rounder; widely fished in stillwaters. |
| Viva | UK wet fly | 12–16 | Spring–Autumn | Classic UK pattern; works under various conditions. |
| Willow Grub | UK wet fly imitation | 12–16 | Spring–Autumn | Simple grub imitation; effective subsurface. |
| Yellow May | UK dry fly | 12–16 | Spring–Summer | Small mayfly imitation; floats well in gentle waters. |