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Glo Bug Fly Step-by-Step:
This week’s pattern is one I have not thought of or attempted in many years. A favorite of northwest Steelhead anglers as well as those of us who grew up fishing the great lakes, this little egg pattern is far from traditional. Consisting of little more than brightly colored, synthetic yarn, this salmon roe mimic is an absolute killer when fish are returning to the tributaries to spawn.
Though my recent trip to NY did not correspond with any such spawning events, this fly popped into my head as I prepared. And as a result, I found myself tying a few. Just in case. After all, it is still late spring. And there could always be a few late spawners in one of the Finger Lake inlet streams.
| Materials: | ||
|---|---|---|
 Egg/Caddis 2X Heavy/3XL (size 14) |  140 Denier (Flo. Orange/Pink) |  Egg Yarn (Pink & Orange) |
 Bead or Lead-free Round Wire |
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Glo Bug Fly Step-by-Step Tying Instructions:
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Tips and Tricks
- Micro-jig Glo Bugs – As a teen, I often tied these patterns on 1/64th oz. jig heads for use on both a fly rod and conventional tackle. Not only did the micro-jig help get the glo bug down quickly, but it also allowed for an added level of control. Using a technique that roughly equated to tight lining nymphing, I would first identify young browns staging below spawning salmon and then utilize a controlled drift to ensure the fly passed through the strike zone. While not feasible in all situations, it proved effective any time I could actively spot feeding fish.
- Color Matters – Egg yarn is often available in wide array of yellows, pinks, oranges and reds. And there is good reason for this. Dependent on species, environmental factors and stage of development, salmon roe can appear in a range of colors. As a result, having a range of glo bug colors may be key to success on any given day. Given how quick and inexpensive they are to tie, do yourself a favor and tie up a few combinations before you hit the water.
Proof of Concept
As the opportunity to utilize these fly never arose during my recent visit to New York, proof of concept will have to remain unfulfilled for the time being. Older images of browns caught on such patterns do exist from my teen years, but those will require a bit of rummaging to locate.
Until then, we’ll leave this vacant. Unless of course some reader would like to share their own proof. If so, please message me through the contact page.
Tight Lines!
-Chris
