Wooly Buggers Patterns
Wooly Buggers Patterns, Tying, Fly Fishing Approaches to Fish Them
I have a couple of boxes in my fly fishing gear of wooly buggers Patterns. I have several favorite rods, lines and approaches to fishing wooly buggers from a small stream to a spring run-off river. Still water is a whole different deal and approach.
Fishing Methods For Wooly Buggers
I fish wooly buggers the most out of all streamer flies and a little more recklessly in my approach as far as casting under and drifting into brush. Cause they produce big fish and are easy to tie. One of my Favorite Dry Line methods is quartering up stream 45 degrees. I like to pick section of bank on the opposite side with a high bank of structure.
Dry line streamer fishing I do most of the year. In diagram above cast to X leaving a couple of S’s in the line of slack. Follow fly with your rod tip. On dry line with a 9′ Leader of Snowbee Fluorocarbon Leader 0X – 3X is what I commonly use. Dry Line with a 9′ Leader will sink an average of 12″ to 18″ and more if you throw two mends by the time it gets to Y. What is a mend you may ask. It’s when you pick up your line with the rod tip when the fly gets to Y and flip it back up stream to continue the a dead drift without moving the fly from its target. As the fly begins to tail out, let it hang in the down stream current for a few moments. While the fly is paused lift and drop the rod tip, pause and a short strip. Then continue to Z with slow or fast strips, even going erratic to the Z point. Pause a fish could be chasing the woolly bugger waiting for the opportunity to strike.
This method of fishing I use a multitude of rods from 7′ 3wt. to 12′ 6 wt. My favorite is summer streamer fishing with my Snowbee Diamond2 10′ 3wt. I have caught several nice Brown Trout on the Taylor River in Colorado in November with 7′ 3wt by Snowbee USA throwing size #8’s and #10’s in wooly buggers. In days past I can remember casting size 2’s and 4’s and even bigger with lead dumbbell eyes very heavily weighted on the Missouri River below Holter Dam, doing what we called the chuck and duck method. You wanted to wear a wide brim hat for this. A heavily weighted wooly bugger in the back of the head hurts. The other issue is line cuts and burns on the stripping finger. I wear the Dorado patterned fishing gloves with a stripping guard on the stripping finger. Big help.
Wooly Bugger and Streamer Fly Fishing Destinations
Streamer fishing is an artform that many anglers try, and when they achieve success, they often turn their focus on fishing big flies. Why? Simple: Big flies catch big fish. It’s a fact that a unique ‘rush’ also comes from streamer fishing because it is distinctly different than both dry fly fishing and nymphing; not to mention, it involves fishing in much more dynamic and varied terrain. Thankfully, there are a list of American locations that meet this “dynamic” category, and the first state we look to is…Montana.
Get Lost Fly Fishing Wooly Buggers in Montana
Montana streamer fishing is all about “big rivers and large wild trout.” Spectacular scenery, thousands of miles of quality streams, and unspoiled landscapes call out to anglers. If streamer fishing is your game, check out the Clark Fork River. Pods of rising fish are there and, depending on the time of year, you’ll have successful catches all day long. Both the Gallatin and the Madison rivers offer everything from pocket water to riffles where the rainbows and browns hide. Blackfoot River is a magical area full of native Cutthroat trout, rainbows, and browns, and is a boulder-strewn river with a bit of whitewater mixed in, making it one of the most picturesque places in the world. Get out your streamers for the Yellowstone River, as well. From fishing the headwaters within the National Park to the big waters near Big Timber, it deserves a place on your “Must Fish” list. And if you wish to experience a famous tailwater river, Bighorn is the perfect spot. Streamer fishing is ripe here, and fish from 14-18 inches are common.
Wyoming Fly Fishing Streamers
Wyoming boasts more than 27,000 miles of fishable wild rivers and crystal-clear trout streams. Cool names like the Snake, the North Platte and the Green River are legendary for streamer fishing, because you can find truly large fish to land. The North Platte is a tailwater fishery, so you can be successful any time of year. The Snake River, like its name, offers a myriad of bends and banks. And when it comes to the Green River, you’ll find scenic canyons, and a whole lot of fun.
Fly Fishing Wooly Buggers in Colorado
Colorado cannot be omitted when talking about the best streamer fishing locations. After all, the state is considered one of the best fishing destinations in the country. The Colorado River is a part of history, and offers gold medal fishing where anglers can catch ample amounts. Although there are popular stretches throughout, the Cheeseman Canyon area holds the larger fish that streamer afficionados search for. The South Platte is slightly above the northern half of Colorado, and the Frying Pan River is productive year-round. The latter, located in the stunning White River National Forest, holds an abundance of wild trout and is part of the most productive fishing locations in the world.
Fly Fishing Idaho with Streamers
Idaho ought not be overlooked as you make your streamer fishing plans for 2021. The Boise, Henry’s Fork, Teton and more, are spots you should definitely try. Undoubtedly, Idaho is the best region for cold-water fishing, and is a state that definitely stands out when it comes to catching trout. The South Fork of the Boise River is a particularly popular spot; not to mention, Salmon River definitely lives up to its name because of the annual runs of salmon and steelhead that call it home. Central Idaho’s best comes in the form of Silver Creek and Henry’s Fork. A slow-moving, crystal-clear river, Silver Creek attracts streamer fishermen from all over the globe. Henry’s Fork is also a premier river with worldwide renown, and is popular for its massive brown and rainbow trout; in fact, it’s said to be the best Idaho option for those who wish to have a “classic” streamer fishing experience. Last, but not least, is the very wide Big Wood River known for having the largest fish in the state. Nutrient-rich, the trout can grow beyond 20 inches!
Fly Fishing Florida is Beyond Memorable
Wishing for warm temperatures and the smell of the saltwater? Head straight to the Florida Keys. A large area with many locations to choose from, the tarpon is plentiful when spring arrives, and casting becomes an everyday event. Saltwater fly fishing is different than freshwater, but both are extremely satisfying. There are a menu of fly patterns that can be used to generate a successful trip, and the scenery is beyond memorable.
Yes, streamer fishing is alive and well, and each and everyone of you now know the “must-see” spots to hone your craft and land the biggest and best out there.
Wooly Buggers Patterns Recipes Tying Instructions:
Spey Hackle Wooly Buggers
I have been tying spey style wooly buggers for about 3 years now. I usually cast them with a 10′ 3weight Snowbee Diamond rod. This rod has some serious backbone and makes this type of fishing a blast, total enjoyment.
Guinea Orange Spey Hackle Bugger
Hook: Diiachi 2220 12 through 4
Thread: 8/0 Red
Bead: Metallic Red
Tail: Orange Chickabou from a Spey Cape
Flash: Holographic Mirror Orange
Body: SLF Black,Firey Brown, Cinnamon and Rust Brown Mixed
Rib: Oval Silver Tinsel
Hackle: Orange Spey
Collar: Orange Dyed Guinea
Guinea Blue Spey Hackle Wooly Bugger
Blue in the spring has all way been a magical color for rainbow trout. In spring to early summer I blue wooly buggers and a blue spruce with consistent success in clear and muddy water.
Orange Racer Woolly Bugger
Orange Racer can be fished as a small leech for small bass as well as trout with great success.
Black Blue Guinea Wooly Bugger
I have found black blue guinea wooly bugger best in spring as water is rising. Though on a Montana spring creek i had a good fishing them for a few hours. Bead is a Metallic Blue to fit hook size. Thread it really ought to be black or blue but I choose red. Tail is Whiting Farms Black Chickabou. Body is black short Krystal Chenille. Hackle tied in 2/3 back from the eye is Whiting Farms Guinea Dyed Blue.
Blue Guinea Wooly Buggers Patterns
Olive Black Wooly Bugger
Olive Black wooly bugger offers 4 shades of contrast from light to dark with an under glow of flash. And a Gold Bead to fit hook size. Hook Daiichi 2220 12’s to 6’s in size. Thread is red, its obsession of mine to use red, I use it on most flies I tie except a few. Fishing for cutthroat in Glacier National Park, Flathead River System, it seemed to make every fly work better. Tail I use Whiting Farms Chickabou ask your local dealer for some. Body is a Olive Black Krystal Chenille wrapped to just behind the bead, leaving room for a wrap of hackle and head. Hackle is Whiting Farms Black Lace dyed Brown, It has a coppery look to it. And fish seem to like, I believe that’s important.
Red n Black Wooly Bugger
Red n Black Bugger is always part of my arsenal November through March most years. In the Rocky Mountain States where I normally fish. I have caught a couple of Sea Trout in in the Gulf just off Siesta Key, Florida.
Bead: Gold to fit Hook
Thread: Red 6/0
Tail: Black Bird Fur Chickaboo Whiting Farms
Body: Black Krystal Flash
Hackle: American Streamer Hen Cape Badger Dyed Red
Red and Black Wooly Buggers Patterns
Olive Brown Wooly Bugger
This is good mid-summer Bugger. Casting up along under cut banks and fished close to downed logs.
Bead: Red Metallic to fit hook size
Thread: 6/0 Red with a high gloss finish
Tail: Grizzly Bird Fur Chickabou Dyed Olive
Flash: Holographic Orange Krinkie Mirror
Body: Black Olive Krystal Chenille
Hackle: Whiting Farms Black Lace Dyed Brown, this brown on the Black Lace has a nice coppery look to it.
Olive Brown in Wooly Buggers Patterns
Halo Blue Wooly Bugger
Bead: Copper Bead to fit hook size
Thread: 6/0 Red
Hook: 2220 Daiichi 6’s to 12’s
Tail: Whiting Farms Chickaboo Guinea Hen Skin Dyed Blue
Body: Holographic Blue Dubbing in a Dubbing Loop
Hackle: Whiting Farms Guinea Hen Dyed Blue, tied in 2/3rds back from eye of hook
Halo Blue in Wooly Buggers Patterns
Fl. Yellow Chartreuse, Black Wooly Bugger
Bead: Red Metallic
Thread: 6/0 Red
Hook: 6 to 12 Daiichi 2220
Tail: Chickabou from Black Bird Fur Saddle, Whiting Farms
Body: Black Krystal Chenille
Hackle: Whiting Farms, Freshwater Streamer Hen Cape Badger, Dyed Fl. Yellow Chartreuse
Fl. Yellow Chartreuse in Wooly Buggers Patterns
Purple Red Flash Wooly Bugger
Bead: Gold
Thread of choice, I like red 6/0 for this one. I use red on a lot of patterns, I believe it catches fish.
Hook, I tied mostly these days sizes 12 to 6 Daiichi 2220
Tail: Whiting Farms Chickabou Grizzly Dyed Purple
Body: Red Flash Chenille
Hackle: Whiting Farms Black Lace Dyed Purple
Red Flash Chenille
Purple Red Flash in Wooly Buggers Patterns
Tying Pink Flame has the Blues Wooly Bugger
I use the pink flame in many different variations of body material and bead color. This one has the blues due to the metallic blue bead. I also works good for browns on many rocky mountain rivers.
Bead: Blue Metallic to fit hook size
Thread of choice: 6/0 Red
Hook: Daiichi 2220 6 to 12’s
Tail: Whiting Farms Bird Fur Dyed Pink
Body: STS Trilobal Fl. Cerise
Hackle: Whiting Farms Freshwater Streamer Cape Badger Dyed Pink
Pink Flame in Wooly Buggers Patterns
Tying Fuchsia Purple Wooly Bugger
Bead: choosing a copper for this one, but red and gold look great as well.
Thread of choice, I like red 6/0 for this one. I use red on a lot of patterns, I believe it catches fish.
Hook, I tied mostly these days sizes 12 to 6 Daiichi 2220
Tail: Whiting Farms Chickabou Grizzly Dyed Purple
Body: Fuchsia Flash Dubbing
Hackle: Whiting Farms Black Lace Dyed Purple
Regal vise to tie all flies.
Fly-Tying Evolution: Click Here
Tying a Soft Hackle Spark Ant: Click Here
Tying a Purple Ant: Click Here
Tying Wooly Buggers/Egg Sucking Leeches: Click Here
“Tempting” Flash Attractor: Click Here
Steelhead Dry Line
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