ZebraGon
Rowley's hybrid of a zebra midge, mayfly, and perdigon — a guide fly with endless variations.
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ZebraGon
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About This Pattern
A smooth-bodied mayfly/zebra-midge/perdigon hybrid with silver wire rib, black nail-polish wingcase, and UV resin. Olive is the default — change thread color to match any water.
On the Water
How to Fish It
Tie in multiple thread colors — olive, tan, black, red. The ZebraGon rotation is the fly box.
When to Use
Year-round. Point fly, dropper, attractor with a hotspot, or drab in clear water.
History & Lore
The ZebraGon is Rowley's take on the 'guide fly' — simple, quick to tie, and deeply effective. It borrows the shape of a mayfly, the abdomen of a zebra midge, the density of a perdigon, and the versatility to imitate any number of aquatic insects. Gilbert can add a thread hot-spot or dubbing collar to turn it into an attractor, or change the thread color to adjust to different river systems or seasons. Whether he's fishing a technical tailwater or a high-mountain freestone, the ZebraGon gets the job done year-round.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size ZebraGon should I use?
The ZebraGon is most commonly tied in sizes 14–18. Year-round. Point fly, dropper, attractor with a hotspot, or drab in clear water.
What does a ZebraGon imitate?
The ZebraGon primarily imitates midge pupa, mayfly nymph, generic. Tie in multiple thread colors — olive, tan, black, red. The ZebraGon rotation is the fly box.
How do you fish a ZebraGon?
Tie in multiple thread colors — olive, tan, black, red. The ZebraGon rotation is the fly box.
Pattern Details
- Category
- Nymphs
- Sizes
- 14–18
- Hook Styles
- jig hook
- Imitates
- midge pupa, mayfly nymph, generic
- Water Types
- tailwater, freestone, spring creek
- Origin
- Gilbert Rowley
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catches logged by anglers
Pattern Details
- Category
- Nymphs
- Sizes
- 14–18
- Hook Styles
- jig hook
- Imitates
- midge pupa, mayfly nymph, generic
- Water Types
- tailwater, freestone, spring creek
- Origin
- Gilbert Rowley