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[Ray]

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[Drawdown]

Been flyfishing all my life, bass & bluegill, trout in last 7 years, I can look out my window to see my trout stream. That hopper pattern imo can't last long. I've learned to simplify my fly selection to few basic patterns, especially dry Flys, and streamers. A Stimulator will mimic a hopper as good as anything and by its tie design last long time. Stimulator is such a good all around attractor cause it looks like lotta things when used in different sizes. And an Adam's is 98% time my choice for a mayfly type dry, and also last long time, or a Ausable Wulff. I buy all my dry Flys from a good tier, use same flies long time, except few lost.
I gave up on cheap flies they usually fall apart. I started tying all my Nymphs and streamers myself, and I tie them tight and they last, usually loose them. But beadhead Nymphs is 95% of my usual fly choice, and I love experiment with different types. My best flies are my own hybrid patterns, some Heinz57! When you fish same waters, something new is often the key! But I also have my old basics such as a Hares Ear, that just always produces! But I have a couple similar, what some call a Walts Worm and mine more a Sexy Walts, by mixing colors. I've found colors to be the main ingredient, especially tiny hot spots!
But cheap Nymphs are a waste of money!

[GunnyMack]

I used to salmon fish and one trip the guy I went with found a 'deal ' on woolybuggers , bead heads for the trip. They were imported and absolute junk. One fish fought would tear em up.

I'd much rather spend a few bucks per fly than buy imported junk.
Sure it hurts a little if you lose one of a few but in the long run I think catching a quantity of fish on a single fly is more cost effective than spending a little and getting even less.

[Ray]

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[Ray]

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[GunnyMack]

They wouldn't touch the scud cuz they are allergic to seafood
Just like a wooly bugger, it doesn't exist in nature but fish jump all over them.