Knowing when to use dragons, and what signals an emergence, will provide exceptional action throughout the summer months.

Webster’s Dictionary defines versatile as, “changing or fluctuating readily, embracing a variety of subjects, fields or skills, turning with ease from one thing to another.” Most seasoned stillwater fly-fishers agree versatility equals success. Since Mother Nature is constantly throwing change-ups, a fly-fisher’s ability to roll with the punches pays large dividends, despite preferred hatches or presentation techniques. 

DRAGON FLY PATTERNSBUTLER’S BUG

Created by Glen Butler
Hook: Mustad R74 #6 to #10
Thread: Gudebrod 6/0, olive
Tail: Deer Hair
Underbody: Deer Hair, butts from tail.
Rib: Small Oval Tinsel
Body: Seal’s Fur
Wingcase: Pheasant Tail
Thorax: Seal’s Fur
Legs: Knotted Pheasant Tail (6-8 Fibers)
Eyes: Pheasant Tail
Head: Peacock Herl

Note:  An extremely popular dragon nymph imitation with good reason.

FLOATING CAREY

Created by Duncan Laird Hook: Mustad #6 to #10
Thread: Gudebrod 6/0, Olive
Body: Deer Hair Mix (Spun and Clipped)
Hackle: Blue or Brown Phase Pheasant
Rump (Blue Phase preferred)

Note: A fantastic sprawler imitation, mix various colours of deer hair in the same manner as dubbing prior to spinning. The more colors the greater the effect.

FLY CRAFT FULLBACK

Hook: Mustad R 72 #8 to #12
Thread: Gudebrod 8/0, black or olive
Tail: Stillwater Solutions Partridge, olive
Rib: Fine Copper Wire
Shellback: Stillwater Solutions Bleached
Pheasant Tail, olive dun
Body: Stillwater Solutions Sparkle Blend or
Soft Blend Dubbing, colour to suit
Wing Case: Stillwater Solutions Bleached
Pheasant Tail, olive dun
Thorax: Stillwater Solutions Sparkle Blend or
Soft Blend Dubbing, colour to suit
Legs: Stillwater Solutions Partridge, olive

Note:  A suggestive scruffy searching pattern, ideal for suggesting darner nymphs

FOAM SPRAWLER

Hook: Mustad R 52S #6 to #10
Thread: Gudebrod 6/0, olive or brown
Body: Plump Foam Body
Legs: Stillwater Solutions Mottled Turkey Quill
Eyes: Black Booby Foam (small)
Head: Soft Blend Dubbing, Dark Olive Green
or Summer Duck.

Note: Colour body to suit using permanent markers. Smear the dorsal colours together to create a mottled look. Colour the belly of the foam body to suggest the lighter colouration of the natural nymphs.

RABBIT DRAGON

Hook: Mustad R74 #6 to #8
Thread: 6/0 olive
Underbody: Black Booby Body Foam (3/16 inch
for larger patterns; 1/4 inch for smaller)
Body: Stillwater Solutions Grizzly Marabou, dubbed and trimmed to shape
Wing Case:    Stillwater Solutions Mottled Turkey Quill, olive or callibaetis
Legs: Stillwater Solutions Midge Stretch Floss, light olive mottled using a permanent marker
Eyes: Black Booby Body Foam, 1/4 inch.

Note: This pattern is now available commercially through the Stillwater Solutions fly program

HALFBACK (WHITE WINGCASE)

Hook: Mustad R72 #8 to #10
Thread: Gudebrod 8/0, black or olive
Tail: Pheasant Rump
Body: Peacock Herl, spun in a Wire Dubbing Loop
Wingcase: White Midge Gill or Turkey Quill
Thorax: Peacock Herl
Legs: Pheasant Rump

Note: A great pattern on algae lakes, such as Tunkwa and Leighton, to suggest immature climbing nymphs of the Aeschnidae clan.

Written by Phil Rowley