As an example, here is a short list of my favorite small stream patterns: Pats Rubberlegs, brown & black, #6 Mercers Missing Link, dark, #14 & 16 PMD Challenged, #14 & 16 Poxyback Green Drake Emerger, #12 Adams, #12-16 Fred Gordons Prince Nymph (Amberwing) Mercers CB Micro May in Olive, #16 18 Chubby Chernobyl, brown, #8 Stimulator, orange & yellow, #6 & 8 Jigged Green Drake, #12 Zebra Midge, red & black, #16 & 18 Cinnamon Foxs Poopah, #12 & 14 Birds Nest, #12 & 14 Peaches n Cream, #14 & 16 Olive Hot Spot Jig, #14 & 16 Sweet Pea, #16 Weiss BP Nymph, #18 Leader & Tippet Material: For smaller dry flies, size 12 18 on a freestone stream, a 9 5x tapered leader will get the job done in most situations
As a high schooler, I worked in a fishing equipment factory, repairing warrantied reels, which gave me a solid understanding of their mechanics and an appreciation for build quality
The results were great, to be honest
Dont forget about the mega-popular Nightmare Jig pattern