The Guide Flies Blog

5 Best Flies for Winter Trout Fishing in Colorado: Midges, Scuds, Stoneflies, Mayflies, and Leeches
5 Best Flies for Winter Trout Fishing in Colorado: Midges, Scuds, Stoneflies, Mayflies, and Leeches
Fishing in Colorado during the winter can be a challenging but rewarding experience, especially when it comes to catching trout. The key to success is choosing the right flies, as... Read more...
Tarpon Caye Lodge - Belize
Flats Fly Fishing in Belize: The Ultimate Angling Adventure
Belize is a fly fishing paradise, offering anglers the chance to catch three of the most sought-after species in the world: Permit, Bonefish, and Tarpon. The crystal-clear waters of Belize's... Read more...
Mantis Shrimp Flies: Tips and Techniques for the Flats
Mantis Shrimp Flies: Tips and Techniques for the Flats
Mantis shrimp flies are a highly effective pattern when targeting permit and bonefish in the Bahamas, Belize, and Mexico. These large crustaceans are a major food source for both species,... Read more...
How to Catch Triggerfish on the Fly
How to Catch Triggerfish on the Fly
Once brushed aside when spotted on the flats, in the past few years, Triggerfish have become a highly sought after target when their forked tails and fins are flapping on... Read more...
WINTER FLIES THAT BRING THE HEAT: 5 ESSENTIALS FOR WINTER TROUT FISHING
WINTER FLIES THAT BRING THE HEAT: 5 ESSENTIALS FOR WINTER TROUT FISHING
Written by: Steve Brown Mist rises in giant plumes off the icy river. Snowflakes quietly fill the void with magic. Boots crunch the high-pitched squeak of cold snow and frost,... Read more...
NYMPHING 101: YOUR GUIDE TO RIGGING, FLY CHOICE AND TACTICS
NYMPHING 101: YOUR GUIDE TO RIGGING, FLY CHOICE AND TACTICS
The majority of a trout's diet is made up of sub-surface food, so if you're just fishing streamers and dries, you're likely missing out on what most of the fish... Read more...
HOW TO CATCH TROUT ON DRY DROPPER RIGS
HOW TO CATCH TROUT ON DRY DROPPER RIGS
Tired of spooking good fish while slapping indicators around on the water's surface? Good, because our collection of high-floating dries and tasty nymphs completely remove the need for bobbers while... Read more...
GUIDE FLIES YOU CAN LEARN TO TIE
Over the years, Dave McKenna has created some legendary flies, both for the fish that haunt the tropical flats and the trout that swim in the cold streams of his home waters. A handful of his patterns have been so popular that we had a few videos created to walk tiers through how to tie our heaviest hitting flies! McKenna's Rumblebug "I originally designed this fly for some friends fishing the Rumble in the Rhododendrons' down in Cherokee, NC. After seeing the water become tea colored from rains, I settled... Read more...
GUIDE FLIES THAT NEVER LEAVE OUR TROUT BOXES
GUIDE FLIES THAT NEVER LEAVE OUR TROUT BOXES
​Everywhere you look, you’ll find countless variations of fly patterns “tailor-made” to fish certain trout waters. Now, these intricate, niche flies do work in specific areas, but there's no way... Read more...
DUAL-THREAT GUIDE FLIES
DUAL-THREAT GUIDE FLIES
As we all are being forced to fish and explore our local areas, we have started to experiment with using our Saltwater Guide Flies to target other (mostly warm-water) species. Many patterns... Read more...
GUIDE FLIES: THE BEGINNINGS PART II
Months ahead of our initial trip I sent a box of materials down with some vises and tools for Patrick to get familiar with the catalog of flies. We knew Patrick loved tying for the lodge and would be the best person to get a team of tiers interested in the new jobs we would be trying to create. Fast forward a year after Steve and I spoke on the dock about starting a fly company in Guanaja. Before I knew it, I was dragging a dozen Regal Revolution Vises in... Read more...
OUR FAVORITE FLIES FOR EAST COAST SPRING TROUT
OUR FAVORITE FLIES FOR EAST COAST SPRING TROUT
No matter what's going on in your state and local area during this time,  the outdoors are open and are a great way to stay healthy, and remain sane during... Read more...
THE BIRTH OF GUIDE FLIES, THROUGH THE STORY OF PATRICK EBANKS
THE BIRTH OF GUIDE FLIES, THROUGH THE STORY OF PATRICK EBANKS
Patrick showed up at Jones Caye several years ago to claim his job with Fly Fish Guanaja, it was his birthright.  By the time Patrick became a young teenager, Fly... Read more...
GUIDE FLIES: THE BEGINNINGS PART I
GUIDE FLIES: THE BEGINNINGS PART I
“We want to start a fly company out here,” Steve said to me just as my panga from Jones Key to the airport was about to pull off the dock.... Read more...
THREE GUIDE FLIES YOU CAN TIE!
Dave McKenna has been developing deadly fly patterns for years, that's part of the reason he and Steve started Guide Flies, to share amazing fly patterns that have only previously been known to a select few guides. We've been whipping them up for years and now you can too!  Read more...