Dry FliesAusable Wulff
The Ausable Wulff is a classic American attractor dry fly pattern that originated on the legendary Ausable River in New York's Adirondack Mountains. This Wulff-style pattern combines the buoyant white calf body hair wings with a mixed grizzly and brown hackle collar, creating a highly visible and durable fly that floats high in turbulent water. The tan body and red thread accent give this pattern a distinctive look that has proven effective on freestone streams across the country.
Spring, Summer, Fall
Intermediate
Trout
Overview
This Charlie Craven pattern from Charlie's Fly Box showcases the enduring effectiveness of the Wulff-style dry fly design. The pattern was developed specifically for the fast, boulder-strewn waters of the Ausable River where visibility and floatation are paramount. The combination of buoyant calf body hair wings and stiff mixed hackle creates a fly that rides high even in choppy water. The red thread adds a subtle hot spot that serves as an attractor element while the tan possum dubbing body provides a natural profile.
Pattern Characteristics
Materials
Hook: Tiemco 100SP-BL, #10-16
Thread: Veevus 14/0, red
Tail: Moose Body Hair
Body: Australian Possum Dubbing, tan (Magpie Materials)
Wing: Calf Body Hair, white
Hackle: Rooster Cape or Saddle, grizzly and brown (mixed)
Fishing Tips
Season
Most effective from spring through fall during mayfly hatches and when fish are actively looking up. Peak performance during summer when attractor patterns excel.
Presentation
Cast upstream and dead drift through riffles, pocket water, and runs. The high-floating design makes it easy to track in broken water where trout often feed.
When to Use
Select this pattern when fishing fast, turbulent water where visibility is crucial. Excellent as a searching pattern when no specific hatch is occurring, or when fish are aggressively feeding on a variety of mayflies.
Water Type
Designed for moving water, particularly the fast freestone streams and pocket water where the original Ausable Wulff earned its reputation. Excels in riffles, plunge pools, and boulder gardens.
Rigging Suggestions
Fish on a 9-foot leader tapering to 4X-5X tippet. Can be used as an indicator fly with a small nymph dropper in faster water.
Visibility & Floatation
The white calf body hair wings provide excellent visibility for the angler while the mixed grizzly and brown hackle creates a natural footprint on the water. Apply floatant to the wing and hackle for maximum buoyancy.
