Last Chance Cripple
René Harrop's Last Chance Cripple imitates a mayfly that failed to fully emerge, trapped half-in, half-out of its nymphal shuck. Named after Idaho's Last Chance, this pattern is devastating on Henry's Fork and any other water where trout feed selectively on vulnerable emergers.
How to Fish It
Fish during heavy mayfly hatches when trout ignore perfect duns and focus on the easy meals — cripples stuck in the film.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size Last Chance Cripple should I use?
The Last Chance Cripple is most commonly tied in sizes 14–20. Choose smaller sizes for clear water and pressured fish, and larger sizes for faster or off-color water.
What does a Last Chance Cripple imitate?
The Last Chance Cripple primarily imitates crippled mayflies, failed emergers. Fish during heavy mayfly hatches when trout ignore perfect duns and focus on the easy meals — cripples stuck in the film.
How do you fish a Last Chance Cripple?
Fish during heavy mayfly hatches when trout ignore perfect duns and focus on the easy meals — cripples stuck in the film.
Pattern Details
- Category
- Emergers
- Sizes
- 14–20
- Colors
- Olive, PMD yellow, Gray
- Imitates
- crippled mayflies, failed emergers
- Water Types
- spring creek, tailwater
Target Species
Pattern Details
- Category
- Emergers
- Sizes
- 14–20
- Colors
- Olive, PMD yellow, Gray
- Imitates
- crippled mayflies, failed emergers
- Water Types
- spring creek, tailwater