We’ve worked with hackle, we’ve worked with chenille, let’s take it
another step. Each step we take adds to our skills and expands our
knowledge of fly tying. The Woolly Bugger and Montana Nymph will
continue that trend.
The woolly bugger is often used as a streamer, but tied in the right
sizes and colors, it makes a great crayfish, dragonfly nymph, egg
cluster, salmon flesh or leech imitation. It’s the one fly that has
probably hooked more big fish and more species of fish than any other.
Because it looks so edible to the fish, it consistently fools trout,
bass, salmon, pike and walleyes, not to mention a host of panfish and
saltwater species. You’ll want to have a variety of these fish catching
morsels in your fly box at all times. Add black, gold and copper beads
to the head for a swimming action the fish can’t resist.
Originally published c. July 3, 2008 on Fly Anglers Online by Al Campbell.