Fly fishing in cloudy/brown/stained/not clear water.

[chris kowaleski]

Hey guys, I normally fly fish in the river by my house, and it's crystal clear, so usually I can see when I get a take from a fish. I'm curious as to what types of flies you guys use when fishing in not clear water, or how you figure out what a fish likes in that type of setting.

[DAVID L EITUTIS]

HEY CHRIS , TRIAL AND ERROR CHRIS !!!!!!!!!! I've always read use dark colors in stained waters . On some days this doesn't matter cause the fish hit something bright or light in color. I"ve fished the same body of water at two different times of the day with completely different results , as to color any way. PURPLE is the color I use first, no matter the clarity of the water, on any lake or pond I fish. It has worked for me for 30+ years. I spose the next color of choice would be yellow.  I believe it to be the only color of a neutral shade . I fish it in both types of water also. PPPPPPPPPPPINK ! SIR JEFFREY SWEARS BY PINK and he knows lots about fishing stained water.  My third personal choice is Chartruese or Flouresent Yellow . Probably didn't help ya much buddy but those are my choices for stained water in my state.........

[David, aka, "McScruff"]

No clue here. I lump color into light and dark, for the most part. This makes selecting easier... Hahaha!
Something that *moves* water seems lie a good idea, to create an underwater disturbance. First thought is something with gangly legs.
You can also try an Idaho or Colorado spinner rig with your fly. These add the sonic element, too.
I seem to note that darker colors, in general, do well. In lieu of "matching" a particular hatch, I start dark.