Woolly Bugger

{{wfy}

A Popular wet fly for all game fish, the Wooly Bugger 's history is unknown. It was said to have come from the Old English fly the Woolly Worm, another productive fly. Most credit Russell Blessing with the actual invention of the Woolly Bugger in the early 1970's in Pennsylvania. (Cameron Larsen)

The 'Bugger's popularity comes from it's versatility, it can be tied in many color variations, in all sizes. It is commonly thought that it mimics leeches, damselfly (or dragonflies) nymphs, and stoneflies, as well as some baitfishes.

For trout and steelhead, common fish hook sizes are 6-14, with occasional use into size 2, which are quite large. Larger gamefish prefer sizes 2-10, often in wild, often flourescent colors.

The woolly bugger can be drifted, to mimic a leech, "swung" to mimic a nymph, or stripped, to mimic a baitfish. Typically, a fisherman will use a woollybugger as a searching pattern or when fish turn finnicky.

Basic instructions for tying the woolly bugger include a large streamer hook, a body of chenille, a marabou tail, and a full-body wrap of hackle, grouped near the head. Some tyers will include a strand of 'flashabou' or tinsel for some extra flash.