Between the 1950's and 1980's, still-water enthusiasts from southern Idaho developed a number of effective fly patterns for the arid-country reservoirs on which they popularized the use of float tubes. Since then, creative tiers have added countless fly patterns to the arsenal of the still-water angler. Amongst the standard-issue patterns are Carey Specials in various shades, simple marabou damsels, woolly buggers, pheasant tail nymphs, Griffith's Gnats and Chironomid Pupa patterns. In addition to such general-use flies, reservoir anglers should also carry the following time-tested patterns.

Sheep Creek Special
Hook: 2XL, No. 6-12
Body: 4-5 turns of brown hackle at rear and then dark olive chenille
Wing: small bunch of mallard flank fibers extending over back
Originator: George Biggs

Stayner Ducktail
Hook: 3XL, No. 2-12
Tail: hot orange hackle fibers
Body: olive-green chenille
Rib: gold oval tinsel, small
Throat: hot orange hackle fibers
Wing: thin mallard flank feather tied over back and extending just past tail
Originator: Ruel Stayner

Tex's Favorite
Hook: 2XL, No. 8-12
Tail: brown hackle fibers
Body: olive chenille
Hackle: brown saddle hackle, tied wet-fly style
Originator: Ken Magee

Mohair-Marabou Leech ("California Leech")
Hook: 3XL, No. 2-10
Tail: marabou fibers with a few strands of Krystal Flash
Underbody: Kystal Flash
Body: Mohair, sparse and combed out
Colors: brown, black, olive, wine
Originator: Bill Schiess

Trueblood Otter Shrimp
Hook: 1XL Nymph, No. 8-18
Tail: partridge fibers
Body: Otter fur dubbing (or similar)
Rib: fine copper wire
Throat: partridge fibers
Originator: Ted Trueblood

Water Boatman
Hook: 1XL Nymph, No. 10-14
Body: peacock herl with turkey tail fibers pulled over top
Legs: black rubber legs
Originator: Rupe Gates