First Day Flies

[Bob Parker]

If you lived in a midwestern state, and were hoping that tomorrow would be the first day for open-water fishing, what might be the ten flies you'd pick to take in your vest?

[Bryce]

I would definitely pack little bluegill foam poppers. They are a killer on gills. 

[Earl W Story]

 Some weighted black gnats, and size 14 mayfly nymphs.

[Mike Way]

foam spiders and wooly worms.

[Mark Stine]

weighted spider, leech, wooly bugger, bead head nymphs, chenobyl ant, couple of popping bugs in minnow colors, whatever terrestrials you are likely to see in your area this time of year.  I like the little jig heads (Jim Gronaw grass shrimp) I saw some recently posted by Jeff A. with olive marabou tail and blue sparkle braid body that looked like a must try. I had good luck with a similar tie tipped with some red wiggler around this time last year.  Good Luck!  

[Alex G.]

As this is regarding ice out fishing, foam poppers are the last thing I would have in my fly box.  Anything small, and could be fished low and SLOW.

Size 14 bead head Pheasant Tail Nymph

Size 14 bead head Hare's Ear Nymph

Small San Juan Worms with a bead in the middle

Size 14 Copper Johns

Repeat the above list until you hit ten flies.

[Indiana Mike]

Bead head nymphs for early season.

[Vince Fusco]

Those look deadly,Mike!

[Vince Fusco]

A couple I would have along would be a bead head nymph, and a black stonefly nymph. 

[Ray Ditzenberger]

Yep, deep and slow. Move around until you find them and then anchor cause you should catch a bunch out of the same spot..They tend to bunch up more in the cold than in the warm months. I don't like too much weight though. Slow sinkers work better for me. Takes a while to get them to the bottom though. Small to medium beadchain eyes and a fuzzy body and rubber legs for the tail. Gill luv rubber legs.

[Bryce]

Ya my bad on the poppers I misread the question.

[Ray Ditzenberger]

I sure agree that there is nothing like casting a small popper or floating spider to some bedding gills during the warm months.

[Lee]

 Cant help you on that one. No way I'd live somewhere that I could'nt fish year around :)