Dry FliesAC Pink Bug
Alice Conba's AC Pink Bug swaps dubbing for a clear Crystalline overbody and pearl Glister thorax, built on a heavy-wire scud hook that lets it double as a caddis or mayfly imitation. Bright pink Glo-Brite thread shows through the translucent overbody, giving the fly a glassy, segmented look that reads well in low light on both moving water and stillwater.
Spring, Summer, Fall
Intermediate
Trout
Feb 2026
Overview
Conba built the pattern around a clear plastic overbody wound over pink tying thread, a technique that lets the underlying color show through as translucent segmentation rather than relying on dubbing alone. The pearl Glister thorax, spun in split thread, adds a touch of flash without changing the fly's slim profile. Tied on a heavy-wire scud hook in sizes 10 to 14, it holds up as a general attractor for caddis or mayfly activity through the warmer months, especially when fish are keying on translucent naturals at dusk.
Where to Buy This Fly
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Materials
- Hook:
- Scud hook, heavy wire #10-14
- Thread:
- Glo-Brite #2 (pink)
- Overbody:
- Clear 'Crystalline' plastic
- Underbody:
- Tying thread
- Thorax:
- Glister, pearl - in split thread
Behavior & Presentation
Natural Behavior: Adult caddis tumble onto the water from streamside vegetation, fluttering with wetted wings as they struggle in the surface film. Their sudden appearance during evening activity creates opportunistic feeding windows.
Where Trout Eat It: Fish cruise near banks and structure where terrestrials and emerging caddis accumulate during evening periods.
How to Fish It: Dead drift with drag-free presentation, adding occasional subtle twitches during periods of selective feeding or caddis activity.
Best Water: Focus on seams concentrating surface insects, banks where vegetation overhangs water, and foam lines collecting drifting adults.
Strike Type: Watch for visible rises, subtle sips, or expanding rings as fish confidently take the pattern.
Fishing Strategy
Rigging Suggestions: Use a 9-12 foot leader tapering to 5X tippet for delicate presentations. Apply floatant to the body and hackle.
Seasonal Timing: Most effective during peak feeding periods at dawn and dusk. Water temperatures between 45-65°F typically produce best results.
Pro Tips: The pink coloration provides exceptional visibility in broken water, low light, and glare conditions. Apply quality floatant for extended drift times.
Entomology
Adult caddisflies rest on streamside vegetation during daylight hours and become active at dusk, occasionally tumbling onto the water where they flutter and struggle with wetted wings. Their sudden appearance and helpless surface activity during evening periods creates opportunistic feeding situations that draw rises from cruising fish.
- Order
- Trichoptera
- Common Name
- Caddisfly
- Organism Type
- insect
- Life Stage
- adult
