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.
Related patterns
Behavior & presentation
- Natural Behavior
- Large mayfly duns ride the surface for extended periods while wings dry sufficiently to support flight. Their substantial biomass triggers aggressive responses from trophy-class trout during evening spinner falls.
- Where Trout Eat It
- Opportunistic feeders in fast pocket water strike this high-floating attractor aggressively. Large trout target the substantial profile during active feeding when big mayflies provide high-calorie meals in turbulent, boulder-strewn water.
- How to Fish It
- Cast 2-3 times to likely spots in pocket water—fish must decide quickly in fast current. The mixed hackle provides exceptional floatation in turbulent water. Can use as indicator fly with small nymph dropper.
- Best Water
- Designed specifically for rough freestone pocket water like the Ausable River's boulder-strewn runs. Excel in fast, choppy currents where visibility and floatation are critical, particularly slack pockets adjacent to heavy flows.
- Strike Type
- Explosive takes in pocket water as fish must decide quickly—fast current leaves no time for inspection.
Fishing strategy
- 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.
- Seasonal Timing
- Most effective during mayfly hatches and when fish are actively looking up. Peak performance during summer when attractor patterns excel.
- Pro Tips
- Adjust presentation depth and speed based on fish activity level and current conditions for best results.
Entomology
Large mayflies must ride the surface for extended periods while wings dry sufficiently to support flight, making them vulnerable to predation despite their size. Their substantial biomass (significantly larger than common Baetidae species) triggers aggressive feeding responses from trophy-class trout that normally ignore smaller insects, particularly during evening spinner falls when spent adults return to water after mating, lying flush in the film with wings outstretched and completely defenseless.
- Order
- Ephemeroptera
- Common name
- Mayfly
- Organism
- insect
- Life stage
- adult
Pattern details
- Moving Water
- Rocky Mountain
- Northeast
- dead-drift
- baetis-hatch
- classic
- attractor
- searching-pattern
- freestone
