Nymphs
NymphsSizes 12–16by Lance Egan

Egan's Red Dart

A Red Tag / Prince Nymph hybrid with a UV-pink hot spot.

Imitates: mayfly nymph, attractor, prince nymphfreestone, pocket water, tailwaterjig hook

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Tying Recipe

Egan's Red Dart

NymphsSize 12–16
1
hook
Hanak 400 BL Jig
Hanak
2
bead
Tungsten Slotted Bead 2.0mm Copper
GenericSize: 3.3mmColor: gold
3
thread
Danville 140 Denier
UTC
4
tail
100s Saddle Hackle Grizzly
Whiting FarmsColor: red
5
abdomen
Ice Dub Black
HarelineColor: peacock
6
rib
Sulky Metallic Tinsel
Sulky
7
rib(optional)
7X tippet (secondary rib)
8
hackle
Hen Cape Grizzly
Whiting FarmsColor: brown
9
thorax
Ice Dub Black
HarelineColor: pink
10
weight(optional)
.015" lead wire (optional)

Tying Video

About This Pattern

An attractor nymph that merges the Red Tag's tail with the Prince Nymph's soft-hackle collar, finished with peacock Ice Dub and a UV-pink hot spot. Designed for fish that want flash with natural pulse.

On the Water

How to Fish It

Add the optional .015" lead wire under-body for a heavy Euro-rig anchor fly.

When to Use

Attractor/searching fly for stained water, fast runs, and mixed hatches.

History & Lore

Lance designed the Red Dart at the 2011 World Fly Fishing Championships in Bolzano, Italy. The local fish were eating Red Tags and Prince Nymphs, and he was winning sessions on a modified Prince: red thread collar and peacock Ice Dub body. His next step was to merge the two patterns into one — replacing the Prince's biots with a Red Tag–style dyed hackle tail, keeping the brown soft-hackle collar, and tucking a UV pink hot spot behind the bead. The fly has won Lance fish in Italy, America, and every country he has fished since. Why does it work? He doesn't know. The fish do.

Frequently Asked Questions

What size Egan's Red Dart should I use?

The Egan's Red Dart is most commonly tied in sizes 12–16. Attractor/searching fly for stained water, fast runs, and mixed hatches.

What does a Egan's Red Dart imitate?

The Egan's Red Dart primarily imitates mayfly nymph, attractor, prince nymph. Add the optional .015" lead wire under-body for a heavy Euro-rig anchor fly.

How do you fish a Egan's Red Dart?

Add the optional .015" lead wire under-body for a heavy Euro-rig anchor fly.

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Pattern Details

Category
Nymphs
Sizes
12–16
Hook Styles
jig hook
Imitates
mayfly nymph, attractor, prince nymph
Water Types
freestone, pocket water, tailwater
Origin
Lance Egan