Top 5 Wet Flies For Brook Trout

Prominent Fly Fishers describe their Favourite fly when fishing for brook trout in Ontario.

There is little denying that when brook trout were created, the inventor must have been feeling pretty fantastic. The level of artistry, camouflage, colour within colour is utterly astounding. One could say brook trout are arguably the most beautiful freshwater fish that swims. However, that’s just their skin. When brook trout were created, that same inventor must have been wronged by someone big-time, because underneath the gorgeous exterior of these magnificent gamefish lies a brutally sadistic, angry, violent animal.

brook-trout

Fishing brook trout is a pleasure, and many anglers travel the world in pursuit of catching and releasing these fish. Ontario has wild, pristine, and untouched populations of brook trout that are accessible and are considered what brook trout dreams are made of, meaning Ontario grows them BIG!

brook trout2

We asked a few prominent personalities in the fishing industry what their favourite wet flies are when fishing in Ontario for brook trout. Here is what they said.

1. Zoo Cougar

zoo cougar

"My favourite fly up there was the Zoo Cougar in Tan of deer hair for the wet fly/streamer. I just loved it, especially in that super-fast water for skimming and skating, but then with a sink tip, I was also able to let it hang and dangle near logs and current edges. I had no idea how to use it when I arrived, and by the time I left I was addicted to fishing with it."  

Hansi Johnson – Professional Outdoor Photographer

2. Slumpbusters

slumpbusters

“In addition to hitting common dry flies, Ontario's brook trout are also willing to hit subsurface streamers. In a short stretch of river between a pair of productive pike and walleye lakes in northwest Ontario a couple of summers back, I had really good luck with size 6 Slumpbusters in a brownish-red, or "root beer" colour—I think these flies imitated small baitfish, including baby walleye and maybe even baby pike.”

Chris Hunt – Digital Director, Trout Unlimited

3. Muddler Minnows

muddler

"If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. I love throwing traditional flies for big Ontario brook trout, however, I still LOVE the opportunity to see a trout eat a fly. That’s why I’ll fish big muddler minnows on a floating line and will add gel floatant to the bug. This allows the fly to sit just under the surface of the water, still visible to the angler. The voracious attacks of big trout are addictive; each and every one should be witnessed in my opinion."

Mark Melnyk – Host of The New Fly Fisher Show

4. Scotty’s McFly

scotty-mcfly

"Traditionally tied as a smallmouth bass fly in Ontario’s north, the Scotty’s McFly is a deadly pattern for brook trout as well. Either swung or stripped the sparseness of the streamer coupled with the flash of the main body is brook trout candy! They go crazy for them."

Colin McKeown – Host of The New Fly Fisher Show

5. Wooly Bugger

wooly bugger

"There are few if any flies that consistently perform quite like your basic black woolly bugger. These flies emulate many different protein sources in the water such as leeches, baitfish, or crawfish depending on how you fish it. My go-to brook trout wet fly is your basic black woolly bugger."

Tom Rosenbauer – Host of The Orvis Guide to Fly Fishing

Brook trout in Ontario are literally world-class. They are big, boorish and incredibly aggressive on a fly. Keep in mind, the brook trout IGFA world record still stands from the Nipigon River over 100 years ago weighing 14.5 lbs. These sub-surface flies are so productive, that they just might be responsible for beating that record right here in Ontario.

About Mark Melnyk

Currently, Mark is the host and producer of The New Fly Show. With a passion of fly fishing, the shows goal is to help both novice and veteran fly fishers everywhere by giving them a top-quality fly fishing series that will make them better anglers. 

Recommended Articles

Experiencing Prince Edward County - The Angler’s Way

Walleye fishing on the world-famous Bay of Quinte.

Top 5 Baits for Smallmouth and Largemouth Bass

What baits do you use to target bass? Find out why these 5 are the best!

Don’t Be Afraid Of Muskies

Muskies are fish of 10,000 casts and are found in large bodies of water in Northwestern Ontario.

5 Places to Shore Fish

Fish’n Canada shows you where to go shore fishing in Ontario.

Fishing Esnagi Lake

Train-in Fishing at Lodge Eighty Eight

Choose your Fishing Adventure: 39 Lodges Accessible by Train, Plane, Boat, and Automobile in Ontario

How will you explore the province's waterways this upcoming season?

Goulais River Muskie

Excellent fishing exists within a two-mile stretch near the mouth of Lake Superior.

The Tigers of Sunset Country

The most picturesque of all freshwater fish.

Ten Mile Lake Lodge

Enjoy Northern hospitality fishing for splake, brook trout and lake trout

Fish TV On the French River

The French River/Georgian Bay area is a favourite hotspot for the Fish TV team.

Magpie Reservoir

Excellent Drive-to Angling to Hook Big Walleye

5 Canoe & Kayak Fishing Destinations

Where to go canoe and kayak fishing in Ontario.

Basin-Shape Walleye

Learn this proven technique to catch more walleye when ice fishing in Northern Ontario.

Twitchbait Smallies

Your guide to open water smallmouth fishing in Atikokan.

3 Great Ontario Walleye Destinations

Karl of Extreme Angler recommends must do walleye lakes in Ontario.

Eating Northern Pike

The Best Recipe to Cook This Fish

Kesagami Lake

The tale of a Northern Ontario trophy fishery in surprising waters.

Fly Fishing The Nipigon River: What To Bring

These tips will make your trip to these fabled Ontario waters more enjoyable.

Smallmouth & Largemouth at Chaudière Lodge

A nostalgic fishing trip on the French River & Lake Nipissing.

True Colours

How important is your lure colour when selecting a bait?