Dry Flies
Dry Flies

Royal Wulff

The king of attractor dry flies — regal and irresistible.

The Royal Wulff is the most recognizable attractor dry fly ever designed. Its split white calf hair wings, peacock herl body divided by a red floss band, and brown hackle create a fly that doesn't imitate anything specific but triggers strikes from every trout in the river. It is the classic prospecting fly for rough water and uneducated fish.

History & Lore

Lee Wulff created the Wulff series of flies in the 1930s, adapting the Royal Coachman wet fly into a buoyant, hair-winged dry fly. The white wings, originally designed for visibility, and the peacock/red color scheme created one of fly fishing's most iconic patterns. It remains a staple nearly a century later.

Variations

Parachute Royal Wulff

Parachute hackle for lower profile in slower water.

Ausable Wulff

All natural materials — a Catskill regional favorite.

White Wulff

All white version for spinner falls and low light.

How to Fish It

The Royal Wulff is at its best in fast pocket water and riffles where trout don't have time to inspect the fly. Dead drift it through runs, or skate it across pools for aggressive strikes. It doubles as a high-floating indicator for a dropper nymph.

When to Use

When nothing specific is hatching and you want to prospect. Best in faster water where trout react to the fly's general impression rather than examining details.

Materials

Hook
TMC 100, #10-16
Thread
Uni 6/0, black
Wings
White calf body hair, upright and split
Tail
Brown moose body hair
Body
Peacock herl with red floss center band
Hackle
Brown dry fly hackle, full collar

Tying Video

Tying Steps

1

Tie in upright, split white calf body hair wings at 30% from the eye.

💡 Figure-eight wraps to split and stiffen the wings.

2

Wrap to the bend and tie in a tail of brown moose body hair.

💡 The tail should be shank-length and slightly fanned.

3

Tie in peacock herl and wrap the rear third of the body.

💡 Twist the herl into a rope for durability.

4

Tie in red floss and wrap 4-5 turns for the center band.

💡 The red band should be bright and distinct — it's the signature feature.

5

Wrap peacock herl for the front third of the body, up to the wing base.

💡 Front and rear peacock sections should be roughly equal.

6

Tie in brown dry fly hackle and wrap 3-4 turns behind and in front of the wings. Whip finish.

💡 Full hackle for this pattern — it needs to ride high in fast water.

Frequently Asked Questions

What size Royal Wulff should I use?

The Royal Wulff is most commonly tied in sizes 10–16. When nothing specific is hatching and you want to prospect. Best in faster water where trout react to the fly's general impression rather than examining details.

What does a Royal Wulff imitate?

The Royal Wulff primarily imitates general attractor, mayflies (suggestive), stoneflies (suggestive). The Royal Wulff is at its best in fast pocket water and riffles where trout don't have time to inspect the fly. Dead drift it through runs, or skate i

What materials do I need to tie a Royal Wulff?

Key materials include: Hook, Thread, Wings, Tail, Body, Hackle. Tie split calf hair wings, a moose hair tail, a segmented body of peacock herl and red floss, and a

How do you fish a Royal Wulff?

The Royal Wulff is at its best in fast pocket water and riffles where trout don't have time to inspect the fly. Dead drift it through runs, or skate it across pools for aggressive strikes. It doubles as a high-floating indicator for a dropper nymph.

Pattern Details

Category
Dry Flies
Sizes
10–16
Colors
Red/Peacock/White (classic), Green Drake variant
Hook Styles
Standard dry fly, 1x fine wire
Imitates
general attractor, mayflies (suggestive), stoneflies (suggestive)
Water Types
freestone, tailwater
Origin
Lee Wulff, 1930s

Target Species

rainbow troutbrown troutbrook troutcutthroat trout