Of Flies and Men

Question: It has been said that when you tie your own flies, you can tie patterns that cannot be found in a fly shop, and therefore, catch more fish because you are fishing a fly the fish have never seen before. Yet, when someone asks what flies to use fly fishers will answer, "you can get them on the standard nymphs like a Hares' Ear, Prince or sow bug; one top they will take a Parachute or standard Adams, an Elk Hair Caddis or Royal Wulff.

Do fish really remember from year to year what fly they've seen and then refuse it? Does this only happen on heavily pressured waters? Do fish really become educated?

I use my own creations year, after, year, after year and do quite well. I'm pretty sure I have fished over the same fish in the same places, and they still take the same patterns I present.

And this might be the same question, I've asked before. That's how repetitive fly fishing can be.