What situations?

[tynan19]

I am trying to get a feel for what to tie for certain areas. What are your go to flies in these types of situations? Does day and night change the fly or just colors?

Dropping tide on a river mouth.

Open beach with a 1-2 ft trough at your feet.

Rocky ledge with deep water.

Boulder strewn shoreline that extends out into water, Rocky Point, submerged boulders.

Inside an estaury, cut banks and holes.

[falkners]

While it is a good thing to have flies that match the conditions...depth,current, light and such it is better to have flies that are similar to the prevalent bait in size, color and shape. Your presentation can be altered by using a different retrieve, line, leader or addition of weight in one form or another.

[tynan19]

That is a good point. I quess I need to know what types of presentation. For the outlets is it a drift and mend or cast to certain areas? Rocky ledges, sinking lines or a fly with a splitshot? Do you want the fly deep or just in the wash? Or do you try different techniques untill the fish tell you what they want?

[WoodyCT]

...what's the use? Really. It's my single most productive color. Chartreuse and white, olive and white, blue and white, and all white are about all you need for bass and blues. At night go with all black, purple or olive. Cruise the fly bins at the shops and you will get some ideas. Fancier is not always better. Strive for a well balanced fly that rides upright without spinning or swimming on its side. Have fun with your new addiction!

[LKB3rd]

Yea, i'd use something to approximate the bait present, and i'd use a presentation to try and imitate that bait in a vulnerable position, like flopping arouind in the wash, or getting flushed out of a river mouth, etc. Also just swimming it along over a boulder where a bass is waiting to ambush will obviously work. I use white with some dark on the back, purple lately during the day, and either the same at night, or something black or dark.

[Spanish Fly]

I agree 100% with woody. For our area most of the spots that you are going to fish, no matter day or night, the flies and colors that he listed are the to go arsenal that you should always carry with you, the olive and white has been my main fly for years and I fish in RI and CT mainly. Good Luck.
Tight Lines

[falkners]

In order to catch fish, you need to put your fly in front of the fish. You should have flies that you can fish in various parts of the water column. You should carry surface flies, flies that suspend and flies that sink. Since you're a tier the advantage you have is the ability to tie flies to fit the situation better than storebought. Bulky to suspend and sparse to sink. Don't go too crazy with too many colors. Its expensive to buy the materials and not necessary. Don't tie all your flies the same size. The bait is small in the spring and gets bigger as the season progresses.You can tie a chartreuse Deciever in several different lengths, some bulky and some sparse, some weighted and some not to fit the actual fishing conditions. That is just an example but with just a couple of materails you are covering almost the entire water column. With that one type of fly and a popper, a slider and a few Clousers you can fish effectively in most situations. Pick up a copy of Ray Bondereaus' book "Stripers and Streamers". He fishes with about 5 or 6 simple flies and catches fish. The presentation is what really matters most of the time. Too many people get all caught up in the gear and don't really learn how to fish.

['ol pajamas]

How true, presentation is #1. Start with a fly you have confidence in, regardless of what is in the water. However, swim it where the stripers are. If nothing is happening and you know there are fish, then the work begins. I prefer using 2 or 3 flies on dropper to find out what's happening. Swim them on the surface and then get them deep.
Certainly the more one fishes the more one encounters exceptions but we have to start the night with something on. In all those situations that you mention what is most important is to let the most fish see your offering for longest period of time possible.

[pmueller]

Some great advice in that last few responses. Keep it simple first,get confidence in your flies and techniques. Deceivers poppers clousers then work up from there.
Work hard at getting the fly in front of the fish. You may have to work a particular piece of structure for a while to get a hit.
Keep working and practice casting. Mending is a great tool, dead drifting is a killer.

[tynan19]

Thanks for the excellent advice.