1. Ice Cream Cone

The ice cream cone is a simple chironomid pattern that works well when bugs are in the process of coming off the bottom and moving up through the water column.

Fish will key in on that stage, especially when they’re feeding just under the surface. It’s most often fished under an indicator at a set depth, but it can also be effective fished higher when fish are cruising.

Small adjustments up or down in the water column can make a bigger difference than switching colors. It also works well in a two-fly setup where it can sit slightly above another chironomid or leech pattern.

2. Film Critic Callibaetis

The film critic is a callibaetis pattern designed to sit right in that surface layer where fish are feeding during a hatch. It works when fish are keyed in on bugs that haven’t fully come off yet, sitting just under or right on top of the water.

It’s typically fished on a longer leader of 5x, letting it sit still or barely move. When fish are up and feeding, this is one of those patterns that can match what they’re looking at closely.

It fishes best when anglers slow down and target individual fish rather than covering water. It also helps to let the fly sit longer than expected, especially when fish are cruising and inspecting before committing.

3. Chubby Chernobyl

The chubby chernobyl is a useful dry when larger bugs are around, especially in late summer on lakes like Hebgen and Quake after salmonflies and during goldenstone activity.

Fish will move to it along the banks and over shallow flats, and it works well as a searching pattern when there isn’t a clear hatch to key on. It’s also commonly used as the top fly in a dry-dropper setup.

It’s a pattern that covers water well when fish are spread out and not focused on one thing. It also gives anglers a way to fish bigger water without needing rising fish. When conditions are right, it can pull fish up from a distance.

4. Balanced Leech

The balanced leech is one of the more effective ways to fish leeches on stillwater, especially when fish are holding at a set depth.

It’s designed to suspend horizontally under an indicator, which gives it a more natural look compared to standard leech patterns. This setup is common when fishing deeper water along drop-offs or over flats.

It fishes best when the depth is set correctly and left alone. Small changes in depth can make a big difference, but once it’s right, it’s more about letting it sit than constantly adjusting. It’s also a good pattern to pair with a chironomid when fish are feeding at multiple levels.

5. Parachute Adams

The parachute adams is a pattern every angler should already have in the box, and it works well on lakes during callibaetis hatches.

It’s not an exact match, but it does the job when fish are consistently rising. It gives anglers a clean, visible option when fish are up but not overly selective.

It’s a good pattern to start with before switching into something more specific. It also fishes well when there are multiple bugs around and fish aren’t keyed in on just one.

6. Black Beauty

The black beauty is a small chironomid pattern that is worth tying on when fish are being picky. It is one of those patterns that comes into play when fish won’t respond to larger or more noticeable flies.

This is the kind of pattern that matters when fish are feeding at a specific depth and your presentation has to be exact. It’s less about the fly and more about putting it in the right place and letting it sit.

It fishes best in clear water when fish are seeing a lot of pressure and start to key in on smaller bugs. Downsizing to something this simple can make the difference when nothing else is working.

7. Sparkle Minnow

The sparkle minnow is a baitfish pattern that works well when fish are looking for something larger, especially around structure.

It’s a good option along dam walls and rock ledges on lakes like Ennis and Quake, where fish will push bait up against those edges.

Short strips with pauses tend to get more attention, trout sitting in lakes have more time to think before they eat, and will often commit to that pause when the fly is dropping.

8. Hot Head Wooly bugger

The hot bead wooly bugger is a simple option for covering water when fish are cruising but not feeding on top.

It works well from the bank or on shallow flats, especially when fish are moving through but not showing. A slow, steady strip is usually enough to get a response.

It’s a good way to find fish when there isn’t much happening. Slower strips with long pauses tend to be better. It also gives anglers a way to cover water without overthinking it.

9. Callibaetis Cripple

The cripple pattern is a tool for when fish are feeding on bugs that don’t fully make it off the water.

On lakes like Hebgen and Harrison, fish will cruise and pick these off consistently during a hatch, often ignoring fully formed dries. This is one of those patterns that matters when fish are up but being selective.

10. Morrish Mouse

For anglers on stillwaters as dusk falls, switching it up and throwing mice can be a good way to target fish looking for a bigger meal.

As it gets into late summer and light fades, fish will start to move off structure and ledges, especially on lakes like Ennis and Quake. Fishing a mouse pattern at dusk can get the attention of those fish.

It’s not something to fish all day, but in that low light window it can change things. Focus on the edges and don’t rush the retrieve. When it works, it tends to be obvious.