Woolly Bugger Fly

Russell Blessing's Woolly Bugger from the late '60s might be the most versatile fly ever tied. Marabou tail, palmered hackle, chenille body: it reads as a leech, baitfish, crayfish or hellgrammite depending on how you fish it. Strip it, swing it or dead-drift it, and big fish notice.

Species: Streamer | Life stage: Streamer

Guide tip: With a sinking line, try short, sharp upward strips. That jigging action is deadly on fish holding deep.

Fly sizes refer to the hook, and the numbers run backwards: the bigger the number, the smaller the fly.

• Sizes 8–12: big flies like streamers, stoneflies and foam terrestrials. Great for bigger water and hungry fish.

• Sizes 14–16: everyday trout flies, including most caddis, attractors and nymphs.

• Sizes 18–24: small flies like midges, Blue-Winged Olives and PMDs. These are the go-to on Colorado tailwaters and for picky fish.

Not sure where to start? Match what you see. Watch what’s hatching or flip a rock in the shallows, and pick a size close to the real bugs. If fish keep refusing, go one size smaller. Still stuck? Email hello@purlfly.com and we’ll help you build your box.

• Let flies dry before they go back in the box. A wet fly can rust its own hook, and its neighbors’.

• Give dry flies room so their hackle and wings don’t get crushed.

• Apply floatant to dry flies before your first cast, not after they’re soaked.

• Check hook points after a snag or a rock tick. A dull hook loses fish, so sharpen it or retire it.

Flies ship from Denver, usually within 1 business day. You’ll get an email with tracking as soon as your order is on the way. Shipping is calculated at checkout, and we currently ship within the United States.

Flies are final sale. If your order arrives damaged or isn’t what you ordered, email hello@purlfly.com and we’ll help sort it out. See our Shipping Policy and Refund Policy for full details.

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