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Just Starting Fly Fishing?
When you walk into a fishing shop, it feels like there are hundreds of flies. Bright ones, dark ones, tiny ones, big ones. It can be scary and confusing.
The truth? You only need a small handful to start catching fish in the UK.
Below are five flies that every beginner should carry. They work in most rivers and stillwaters. They are simple, trusted, and proven.
1. Pheasant Tail Nymph (PTN)
⭐ Editor’s Top Pick: If you buy just one fly, start here
This little fly is brown and slim. It looks like many small insects that live under water. Trout love it.
- Best for: Rivers and stillwaters, all year round.
- Why it works: It copies mayflies and nymphs that trout eat every day.
- Beginner tip: Fish it under a small float or indicator.
👉 Check beginner PTN packs here →
2. Hare’s Ear Nymph
This is another “buggy” fly with a messy look. Fish don’t care that it looks scruffy — they just eat it.
- Best for: Murky water or cloudy days.
- Why it works: The mix of fur and thread looks alive in the water.
- Beginner tip: Tie on a size 12 or 14 for easy casting.
👉 See Hare’s Ear options here →
3. Adams Dry Fly
The Adams is one of the most famous flies ever made. It floats on the surface and looks like many small flies that land on the water.
- Best for: Summer evenings when trout rise.
- Why it works: Its grey wings and brown body make it a “match all” fly.
- Beginner tip: Use floatant to help it sit high on the water.
👉 Get an Adams Dry Fly pack here →
Starter flies & simple add-ons:
- PTN pack → See options
- Hare’s Ear pack → See options
- Adams Dry pack → See options
- Elk Hair Caddis pack → See options
- Black Gnat pack → See options
- Fly box → Beginner box
Want all our picks in one place?
Browse beginner fly packs.
4. Elk Hair Caddis
This dry fly has a light wing made from elk hair. It is easy to see on the water. Trout hit it hard.
- Best for: Fast rivers and ripples.
- Why it works: It copies caddisflies that hatch in big numbers.
- Beginner tip: Great choice for beginners because you can always see it float.
👉 Check Elk Hair Caddis packs here →
5. Black Gnat (or Griffith’s Gnat)
Tiny black flies are everywhere in the UK. Trout sip them off the top like sweets.
- Best for: Calm rivers and small ponds.
- Why it works: Looks just like the little midges you see flying around your head.
- Beginner tip: Use a thin tippet so it drifts naturally.
👉 Find Black Gnat flies here →
Bonus Gear for Beginners
Along with your flies, a few small tools make life easier:
- Fly box: Keep your flies safe and tidy.
- Tippet pack (4x–6x): Thin line helps fool trout.
- Forceps: Handy for unhooking fish safely.
👉 See beginner fly boxes and tippets here →
Quick Tips to Use Your Flies
- Keep it simple: one small box with 10–15 flies is enough.
- Practice tying the improved clinch knot.
- Change flies if you don’t get bites after 15 minutes.
- Watch the water — see what insects are flying.
Beginner FAQ
Do I need hundreds of flies?
No. Start with 5–10 good ones and you’ll catch fish.
What size flies should I use?
Size 12–16 is the easiest for beginners. Small, but not too tiny.
What’s the difference between wet and dry flies?
Dry flies float on top (like the Adams). Wet flies sink or drift under water (like the PTN).
Do I need special UK flies?
Yes. UK trout see different insects than American trout. The five above are proven in the UK.
Ready to Go Fishing?
You don’t need a wall full of flies. Start with these five and you can fish almost anywhere in the UK.
Ready to start filling your fly box? 👉 Browse all our beginner fly packs here →
