Umpqua Egan's Warrior Perdigon Tungsten Nymph Fly

Overview

The Warrior Perdigon is Lance Egan's mash-up of two proven ideas: the colors of his Rainbow Warrior on a slim, fast-sinking perdigon body. Egan, a longtime US fly fishing team member and Umpqua signature tyer, notes that the tungsten Rainbow Warrior has been a consistent producer both as a dropper below a dry and on nymph rigs.

Perdigons came out of European competition fishing. They are sparse, smooth, coated flies with a heavy bead, so they cut through the current with almost no drag and reach the bottom fast. That speed matters in deep runs, pocket water and anywhere trout hold tight to the bottom. The rainbow finish adds just enough flash to be seen at depth without looking gaudy.

Euro Specs

• Bead: Tungsten.
• Role: Both; point fly to anchor a team, or a dropper that sinks quickly.

How to Fish It

• Euro nymphing: fish it on the point to anchor a small midge or soft hackle on a tag, or on the tag above a heavier fly.
• Tight line: use a long leader, light tippet and a high rod angle so you feel small takes.
• Dry-dropper: hang it below a buoyant dry where you need a small fly to get down fast.
• Season: year-round, from winter tailwaters to summer pocket water.

Choosing Color and Size

Use 16 as your everyday size and when you need a bit more weight on the point. Go to 18 for clear, slow or heavily fished water, and as a dropper.