[Salmo Nella]

In a recent post in another thread, Big Cliff said this about the Wooly Bugger. "I find it to be the single most productive freshwater fly."
This struck me because, although I am sure that he is correct, I rarely use the fly.
For me, if I had to choose a single most productive freshwater fly, it would be the Bead Head Hare's Ear. I suspect the difference is a matter of two things. 1) the fly that we have confidence in gets used the most, and 2) we fish in different water types for different fish.

Anyone else have a fly they consider "the single most productive freshwater fly"? I think it will be interesting to see the different flies from different people and areas. Similar to the "if you could only take three flies" post of some time ago but more specific.

[BigCliff]

Part of the reason I think the Wooly Bugger is the most productive fly is that it is so adaptable. I have had success with them from sizes 4-14, from black to white, unweighted to spin-castable. Its quite productive for trout but, I think it works even better on bass and sunfish.

It's not my first pick for trout. That would probably be some sort of small dense nymph with peacock herl.

I guess to be honest, I should say that 98% of the buggers I fish have bead or cone heads. I think the flash and the action helps alot. It gives them a more crawfish-like posture as well. I suppose there are some situations where a lead wire weighted bugger that sinks levelly is the better option, but I haven't found that yet.

[easternflyfisher]

i have never really had much luck with wolly buggers either. manily because i hardly use em. id rather use a simi seal leech, or a mickey finn or diamond carey. but i have been trying to use them more for bass and panfish.

[Roughrider]

For stillwater situations, I would have to agree with Big Cliff. I am from AZ and you will never find me without a brown or black wolly bugger on the end of my line. Whether it is bass fishing in a small lake in S. AZ or in the white mtns fishing for browns and bows, I will have a wolly bugger on. It is a confidence thing for sure. Now rivers, that is a different can of worms for me. I also agree, a bead head hares ear or pheasant tail would be my first choice on a stream in Az. I just moved close to the san juan so that is a different story there.