The Three Flies I Would Bring If I Could Only Choose Three

Fly fishing in the Dolomites, stripped down to what really works

If I had to come fly fishing in the Dolomites with an almost empty fly box, no backups and no extra options, my choice would be very clear. I wouldn’t look for the “perfect fly” for a perfect situation. I would choose three honest flies, patterns that work often, in different conditions, on different rivers, and on different trout.

After years of fly fishing in the Dolomites, you learn that success doesn’t come from carrying hundreds of flies. It comes from understanding water, light, seasons, and fish behavior. These three flies represent exactly that approach.

The first fly would be a slim, simple dry fly, a pattern that imitates a little bit of everything and nothing specific at the same time. Thin body, natural colors, clean silhouette. This kind of fly works exceptionally well in Dolomite rivers because trout here are used to small, imperfect insects drifting naturally on clear water. It doesn’t scream for attention, it just looks right. When the river is low, the water is clear, and fish have time to inspect your fly, this is often the best possible choice.

For subsurface fishing, there is no real debate. I would choose a classic nymph, specifically a traditional Pheasant Tail. Not over-weighted, not flashy, not modified beyond recognition. Just a clean, effective pattern that imitates a wide range of aquatic insects. In Dolomite rivers, the Pheasant Tail is a true all-season fly. It fishes well in fast currents, deep runs, and technical water, and it continues to catch trout even on difficult days when nothing else seems to work.

The third and final fly would be a black streamer, not too big. Because fly fishing in the Dolomites is not only about insects. Large brown trout live in these rivers, and at a certain size they start thinking like predators. A small to medium black streamer is deadly in low light, shaded banks, slightly colored water, and especially during autumn. It doesn’t need to be oversized subtle movement and contrast are enough to trigger aggressive, territorial strikes.

Fly Fishing in the Dolomites Is About Understanding, Not Quantity

The real value of these three flies is not the patterns themselves, but the philosophy behind them. Fly fishing in the Dolomites rewards anglers who observe, adapt, and fish with intention. If you truly understand when and how to fish these three flies, you can cover almost every situation these alpine rivers will put in front of you.

A well chosen fly, presented correctly in the right water, will always beat a full fly box used without logic.

That’s why fly fishing in the Dolomites is so special: it looks simple, but it runs deep.