Wet Flies
Starling and Herl
A classic North Country spider pattern consisting of nothing more than peacock herl and a starling hackle, yet devastatingly effective on trout and grayling. The iridescent peacock body and delicate starling fibers pulse with life in the current, imitating a wide range of drowned insects and emerging caddis.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size Starling and Herl should I use?
The Starling and Herl is most commonly tied in sizes #12–#16. Choose smaller sizes for clear water and pressured fish, and larger sizes for faster or off-color water.
What does a Starling and Herl imitate?
The Starling and Herl primarily imitates drowned adults, emerging caddis, general soft hackle.
Pattern Details
- Category
- Wet Flies
- Sizes
- #12–#16
- Colors
- natural/peacock
- Weight
- unweighted, tungsten
- Hook Styles
- wet fly hook, standard nymph
- Imitates
- drowned adults, emerging caddis, general soft hackle
- Water Types
- freestone rivers, riffles, tailwaters
Buy This Fly
Buy at Fly Fish Food—
catches logged by anglers
Target Species
rainbow troutbrown troutbrook troutgrayling
Effective on These Rivers
Pattern Details
- Category
- Wet Flies
- Sizes
- #12–#16
- Colors
- natural/peacock
- Weight
- unweighted, tungsten
- Hook Styles
- wet fly hook, standard nymph
- Imitates
- drowned adults, emerging caddis, general soft hackle
- Water Types
- freestone rivers, riffles, tailwaters
Buy This Fly
Buy at Fly Fish Food—
catches logged by anglers
Target Species
rainbow troutbrown troutbrook troutgrayling