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Woolly Bugger
The Woolly Bugger is the most versatile fly in existence, imitating leeches, baitfish, crayfish, stonefly nymphs, and virtually anything else that swims. Its marabou tail pulses seductively with every strip, making it irresistible to trout, bass, and nearly every predatory freshwater fish. It is the fly you tie on when nothing else works.
Variants
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History
Russell Blessing created the Woolly Bugger in 1967 in Pennsylvania, combining the classic Woolly Worm with a marabou tail. The result was a fly with unmatched action in the water. It has since become the most popular fly pattern in North America and a global staple for trout fishing.
Tying overview
Tie in a marabou tail, palmer chenille and hackle forward over a weighted underbody, and form a neat head.
Fishing tips
Strip the Woolly Bugger on a sink-tip line along undercut banks, through deep pools, and around structure. Vary the retrieve — long slow strips, short erratic strips, and dead drifts all produce. In cold water, slow down; in warm water, speed up.