Dry FliesGo To Hell Variant
The Go To Hell Variant is a classic attractor dry fly pattern that combines striking visibility with effective fish-catching design. This eye-catching pattern features a bright green thread body, white calf hair tail and wing, and a mixed brown and grizzly hackle collar. The flashy Mirage Tinsel tag and peacock Ice Dub thorax add subtle attraction, while the UV-cured resin over the body provides durability and a slight sheen that mimics natural insects.
Spring, Summer
Intermediate
Trout
Overview
This Charlie Craven pattern from Charlie's Fly Box showcases a variant of the classic Go To Hell attractor pattern. The distinctive green body and white calf hair wing make this fly highly visible to both angler and fish. The use of UV-curing resin over the thread body adds durability and creates a slight translucency that enhances the pattern's appeal. The mixed brown and grizzly hackle provides excellent floatation while creating a mottled appearance that suggests life.
Pattern Characteristics
Materials
Hook: Tiemco 100SP-BL, #14
Thread: Veevus 14/0, white and green
Tail: Calf Body Hair, white
Wing: Calf Body Hair, white
Tag: Mirage Tinsel
Body: Veevus 14/0 Thread, green
Glue: Solarez Bone Dry Plus
Thorax: Ice Dub, peacock black
Hackle: Rooster Cape (or Saddle), brown and grizzly
Fishing Tips
Season
Most effective during spring and summer when mayfly activity is high. The attractor qualities make it a good searching pattern throughout the season.
Presentation
Fish with a dead drift in likely holding water. The high visibility makes it excellent as an indicator fly in dry-dropper rigs or as a standalone pattern when fish are looking up.
When to Use
Select this pattern as an attractor when no specific hatch is evident, or when fish are actively feeding on the surface but not keyed on a particular insect. Also effective during green drake hatches due to the color profile.
Water Type
Designed for moving water, particularly riffles, runs, and pocket water where the bright colors help both angler and fish locate the fly. Effective on freestone rivers and streams.
Rigging Suggestions
Fish on a 9-foot leader tapering to 4X-5X tippet. The buoyant hackle and calf hair wing provide excellent floatation for dry-dropper fishing with weighted nymphs.
Visibility & Floatation
The white calf hair wing provides exceptional visibility for the angler while the dense hackle collar ensures the fly floats high. The green body stands out against most water conditions.
