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Executive Angler

nymph

Pliva Perdigon

Sizes
#14–#20
Imitates
baetis nymph · pmd nymph
Origin
Gilbert Rowley (introduced via Devin Olsen; Bosnian origin)

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.

Recipe

This is one dressing. Tie it in other colors to match the hatch in front of you.

Swipe to see In box and Add

SizeBeadBodyIn boxAdd to box
#14
#16
#18
#20

At the vise

Tying notes are not on file for this pattern.

Tying video

Fishing now on

Rivers whose hatch chart names this pattern this month. Names and sizes only.

Not named on this month's hatch charts.

On the water

Lead wire under-body is optional — add it when you need extra weight without going up a bead size. Chartreuse rib is the tell.

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.

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