dry
Royal Wulff
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.
Variants
1 spec · tap any cell to edit · multi-select for bulk actions · drop a photo onto a row to upload
History
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.
Tying overview
Tie split calf hair wings, a moose hair tail, a segmented body of peacock herl and red floss, and a brown hackle collar.
Fishing tips
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.