nymph
Pliva Perdigon
A slim olive-body perdigon with chartreuse power-thread rib, fl. orange hot spot, black nail-polish wingcase, and UV resin. Sinks like a stone through picky water.
Originated by Gilbert Rowley (introduced via Devin Olsen; Bosnian origin)
Recipe
- HookHanak 230 or Dohiku 302 — size 16 · Hanak
- BeadSlotted Tungsten — Copper or Gold 2.5mm
- Weight.015" lead wire (optional)
- TailCoq de Leon
- BodyVeevus Body Quill — Olive · Veevus
- RibChartreuse Veevus 140D Power Thread
- HotspotVeevus Fl. Orange 16/0
- ShellbackBlack Nail Polish
- CoatingSolarez Bone Dry
History
Devin Olsen introduced Gilbert Rowley to this fly the year after Devin fished the World Championships in Bosnia. It was shown to the US team by local guides, and it proved to be one of the most valuable flies in the competition. Since then, perdigon nymphs have reshaped fly fishing, and the Pliva is one of Gilbert's favorite variations. He ties it with and without a hot spot, depending on how technical the trout are — the drab version for selective fish, the orange-spot version when he wants attention. Because perdigons sink so quickly, the Pliva gets a rig to depth without split shot or heavy anchors.
Fishing tips
Lead wire under-body is optional — add it when you need extra weight without going up a bead size. Chartreuse rib is the tell.