Three Flies You Need in Your Box This Week 7/26/26

Three Flies You Need in Your Box This Week 7/26/26

What's Working Right Now in the Roaring Fork Valley

One of the most common questions we get in the shop is: "What flies are working right now?" While conditions change day to day, these are the three patterns that have consistently produced fish for us this week.

1. Chubby Chernobyl

The Chubby Chernobyl has been our favorite dry fly this week — not just because fish are willing to eat it, but because it makes the perfect anchor for a hopper-dropper setup. With summer in full swing, we've been fishing hopper-dropper rigs almost every day, and the Chubby keeps nymphs suspended while still drawing plenty of aggressive surface eats. If you're heading to the Upper Roaring Fork or other freestone rivers, this fly deserves a permanent spot on your leader.

2. Flashback CDC Pheasant Tail

Our go-to nymph this week has been the TB CDC Flashback Pheasant Tail. It's been incredibly effective at imitating the mayfly nymphs trout are feeding on throughout the day. Whether you're fishing it below a Chubby or under an indicator, this fly has consistently fooled fish across a variety of water types. When we're unsure what trout are keying on, this is the first nymph we tie on.

3. RS2

Early mornings have been producing heavy midge hatches, and that's where the RS2 - Olive has really shined. We've been fishing it as a second dropper behind the Flashback CDC Pheasant Tail, giving trout a small, natural-looking option when they're focused on tiny insects. If you're on the water early, don't leave home without a few RS2s in your box.

Our Go-To Rig This Week

This combination has been producing fish throughout the morning, especially on the Upper Roaring Fork and other cooler freestone streams.

Check Back Next Week

Summer fishing changes quickly, and what works one week may be different the next. We'll keep sharing our weekly fly picks based on what's actually producing fish right now. Get out early, respect the fish during these warm summer conditions, and we'll see you on the water.

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