Overview

The Quill Bomb is a slim, fast-sinking Umpqua nymph built around a peacock quill body and a tungsten head. Umpqua lists it for Baetis, PMD and Drake water.

Peacock quill has natural segmentation that looks a lot like several small mayfly nymphs, but it is fragile. Umpqua coats it in a thin layer of resin so it lasts. The slim body and tungsten bead cut through the current to reach fish holding deep, and the bead is inverted so the hook point rides up, which helps keep the point sharp and cuts down on snags.

Euro Specs

• Bead: Tungsten.
• Bead size by hook size: #14 with 3.0mm or 3.5mm, #16 with 2.5mm or 3.0mm, #18 with 2.5mm.
• Role: Anchor (point) fly in the heavier beads, dropper in 2.5mm.

How to Fish It

• Euro or tight-line: fish the heavier beads on the point to get a lighter dropper down.
• Under an indicator: it sinks fast enough to carry a smaller trailing nymph.
• Dry-dropper: hang a 2.5mm version below a foam dry in riffles.
• Where it shines: deep runs and pocket water where trout hold near the bottom.

Choosing Color and Size

Brown and Olive match most Baetis and PMD nymphs. Black gives a strong silhouette and suggests darker mayflies and midges.

Size 14 carries the heaviest beads for fast, deep water. Sizes 16 and 18 match Baetis and PMD nymphs and suit shallower riffles.