Umpqua Fat Angie Terrestrial Dry Fly

Overview

The Fat Angie is a Charlie Craven pattern that began life as a realistic flying ant. Over time it grew into a general terrestrial attractor, and Craven now uses it where he once tied on a Stimulator or other attractor dry.

It is tied on a curved, Klinkhammer-style hook that sets the butt down into the surface film, the way a struggling insect sits. A foam body adds durability and flotation, a polypropylene macramé yarn wing (the most buoyant material Craven says he has used) keeps it up, and a hot pink indicator helps you see it. A few strands of UV blue fiber on the wing add a subtle sheen.

How to Fish It

• Current seams: drift it along seams and foam lines where ants and other winged insects collect.
• Dry-dropper: Craven designed it with dry-dropper fishing in mind; hang a small nymph or midge below.
• Flat water: on slow, clear water use 6X tippet and a long, drag-free drift.
• Late summer: flying ant falls can bring up fish that ignore everything else.

Choosing Color and Size

Black in size 18 is a classic small ant color and size. It is ideal for flying ant falls, picky fish on flat water and as a small dry to pair with a midge dropper.