Dry FliesFat Angie
Fat Angie is a versatile terrestrial pattern designed by Charlie Craven to imitate a variety of ants, wasps, and other land-born insects that find themselves trapped in the surface film. This innovative design features a segmented foam body with a distinct wasp-like waist, a mixed polypropylene yarn wing for visibility and buoyancy, and a palmered hackle collar. The pattern sits low in the water with the abdomen hanging through the surface film, perfectly mimicking the bedraggled appearance of a struggling terrestrial.
Summer, Fall
Intermediate
Trout
Overview
This Charlie Craven pattern from Charlie's Fly Box showcases years of experimentation to create the ultimate terrestrial imitation. The genius of Fat Angie lies in its ability to suggest multiple insects without committing to any single species. The wasplike waist and segmented body capture the profile of ants, wasps, beetles, and various other terrestrials. The mixed polypropylene yarn wing provides exceptional buoyancy and visibility while the pink foam indicator makes tracking easy even on dark flies. The Daiichi 1160 hook helps set the fly low in the surface, dangling the abdomen through the film just like a natural struggling insect.
Pattern Characteristics
Materials
Hook: Daiichi 1160, #12-20
Thread: Veevus 14/0, red
Body: Fly Foam, black, 3mm
Abdomen: Superfine Dubbing, mahogany
Legs: Super Floss, black
Wing: Polypropylene Macrame Yarn (smoke, rust, gold mixed)
Overwing: Ripple Ice Fiber, UV blue
Indicator: Razor Foam, pink
Hackle: Brown Rooster Neck (or Saddle)
Thorax: Superfine Dubbing, mahogany
Fishing Tips
Season
Most effective during summer and fall when terrestrial activity peaks along stream banks. Particularly deadly during warm afternoon hours from June through October when ants, wasps, and beetles are most active.
Presentation
Fish with a drag-free drift tight to grassy banks, overhanging vegetation, and anywhere terrestrials might fall into the water. A subtle twitch occasionally mimics the struggling action of a trapped insect.
When to Use
Select this pattern whenever you observe terrestrial activity along stream edges or when fish are rising sporadically to random surface food. The generic profile makes it effective even when you're unsure exactly what fish are eating.
Water Type
Designed for moving water, particularly meadow streams, spring creeks, and any water bordered by grassy banks and vegetation. Most effective in slower pools, along foam lines, and near overhanging cover where terrestrials naturally collect.
Rigging Suggestions
Fish on a 9-foot leader tapering to 5X-6X tippet. The buoyant foam construction supports a beadhead dropper effectively for hopper-dropper fishing.
Visibility & Floatation
The pink foam indicator makes the dark pattern easy to track on the water. The combination of foam body and polypropylene wings ensures excellent floatation even after multiple fish. While black is the most common color, tie variations in tan, olive, purple, and red for different conditions.
