modern Michigan dry fly · by 2010
American Wooly
Also called American Woolly
Likely origin The only source is Deschaine's own 2010 Fly Anglers Online column and its later repost, which are not independent.
History
Tom Deschaine designed this fly as a floating version of the banded woolly bear, the caterpillar of the Isabella tiger moth. He had noticed how often these fuzzy black and brown caterpillars turn up along stream banks late in the season, and most existing woolly patterns were sunk rather than fished on top.
The body is nothing but stiff hackle in three bands, black, brown and black, packed tight and then clipped to shape. Deschaine suggested drifting it against logs and rocks or dropping it under overhanging branches, and he noted that smaller versions catch panfish and bigger ones take bass.
His column presents it as a pattern for anywhere in the country rather than for a single Michigan river, so no river is listed here.
Materials
| Hook | Dry, 2XL (Mustad 94831), size 6 |
|---|---|
| Thread | Black 6/0 |
| Rear body | Black hackle, wound thick over the back quarter of the shank |
| Middle body | Brown hackle over the middle half, several feathers if needed |
| Front body | Black hackle over the front quarter |
| Shape | All hackle trimmed to a caterpillar outline; the underside can be clipped flat to ride lower |
Sources
Know more about this fly's history, or spot a mistake? Send a correction.
No photo yet. Every photo on michfly is of a fly tied for the site, so they're added a few at a time.
Original recipe cards for many Michigan patterns are kept at the Michigan Dry Flies archive, built by the late Tom Deschaine.