Euro NymphsEgan's Red Dart
The Red Dart is a design combining the best parts of a couple of old favorite fly patterns and applying current materials. Created by Lance Egan at the 2011 World Fly Fishing Championships in Bolzano, Italy, this pattern merges the red tag's bright tail with the prince nymph's peacock body and soft hackle. The addition of a UV pink hotspot behind the bead creates a flashy attractor pattern that's proven effective in competition and recreational fishing alike.
Spring, Summer, Fall
Intermediate
Trout
Overview
Lance Egan developed this pattern by combining elements of the traditional red tag and prince nymph during the 2011 World Championships. Fish were being caught on both patterns, so Egan merged the red tail from the red tag with the peacock body and brown soft hackle of the prince nymph. He replaced natural peacock with flashy Ice Dub peacock for added attraction and removed the white biots typically found on prince nymphs. The sparse UV pink hotspot behind the bead is a common feature in competition flies that provides an additional trigger point for trout.
Pattern Characteristics
Materials
Hook: Hanak H 400 BL Jig Hook, size #14
Bead: Hanak Round+ Slotted Tungsten Beads, gold, 3.5mm (or Fulling Mill Slotted Tungsten Beads, gold, 3.2mm or 2.8mm)
Thread: Semperfli Classic Waxed Thread 12/0, red (or 8/0 UNI-Thread Waxed Midge, red)
Tail: Metz Soft Hackle Feathers, red (or UV2 Coq de Leon Perdigon Fire Tail Feathers, fl. flame)
Abdomen: Ice Dub, peacock
Ribbing: Sulky Metallic Tinsel, opalescent
Hackle: Whiting Red Label Hen Cape, brown (or Whiting Hebert Miner Hen Cape, brown)
Thorax Hotspot: Ice Dub, UV pink
Weight (optional): Lead Wire Spool, 0.015
Fishing Tips
Season
Most effective during spring and summer mayfly hatches (March through September), with excellent results during fall Baetis emergences. Works year-round in tailwaters with consistent insect populations.
Presentation
Dead drift along the bottom using tight-line Euro nymphing techniques for maximum sensitivity and depth control. In faster pocket water, use the jig hook's design to maintain proper orientation while avoiding snags. The tungsten bead gets the fly down quickly in deep runs and fast current.
When to Use
Ideal when fish are keyed on nymphs but also respond to attractor patterns with bright triggers. The hotspot collar and red tail make it effective in stained water or during overcast conditions when visibility is reduced. Particularly productive when multiple mayfly species are present and trout are opportunistically feeding.
Water Type
Designed for moving water, especially freestone rivers and streams. Excels in riffles, runs, and pocket water where the weighted design and slim profile cut through current efficiently. Works well in both clear and slightly off-color water due to the visible hotspot.
Rigging Suggestions
Fish on a Euro nymphing leader with 4X-5X tippet for a balanced presentation. Can be used as the point fly with a lighter nymph or midge as a dropper. The jig hook design works best in a tight-line setup where the fly rides hook-point up, reducing snags on rocky bottoms.
Visibility & Floatation
Sinks rapidly due to tungsten bead and slim profile, reaching depths of 3-5 feet quickly. The UV pink hotspot provides excellent visibility for both fish and angler in varied light conditions. The Ice Dub body creates subtle flash that attracts attention without spooking wary trout. Brown hackle fibers pulse naturally in the current, adding lifelike movement.
