RIO Morrish Pugsly 12 Pack

Overview

The Pugsly is a Morrish pattern from RIO's fly lineup, described by RIO as a Euro and Western hybrid nymph. It is built as a heavy, buggy imitation of big mayfly nymphs like green and brown drakes, and it also passes for a stonefly nymph.

Weight is the point. A brass bead, brass eyes and lead wire get it down fast in heavy water where lighter nymphs never reach the bottom. The body stays relatively lean so it does not fight the current, and RIO notes that it suspends at roughly a 45-degree angle in the drift, which makes it look like an emerging bug. This pack holds twelve flies in the PT (Pheasant Tail) color.

Euro Specs

• Bead: Brass bead plus brass eyes.
• Role: Anchor (point) fly. Its weight makes it the fly that pulls a two-fly rig down.

How to Fish It

• Anchor fly: fish it as the point fly on a tight-line or indicator rig with a smaller nymph 18 to 20 inches above it.
• Fast, deep water: use it in heavy runs, deep pockets and the heads of pools where you need to get down quickly.
• Drake season: fish it in late spring and early summer before and during green and brown drake hatches.
• Tippet: 3X or 4X suits a size 10 and helps when big fish take it in fast water.

Choosing Color and Size

This listing is the PT (Pheasant Tail) color in size 10, a natural brown that matches drake and stonefly nymphs and makes a strong, heavy anchor fly. It comes as a 12 pack.