NymphJuju Sally
The Juju Sally is Charlie Craven's take on a Little Yellow Sally stonefly nymph that incorporates his signature Super Hair body construction for a realistic, segmented appearance. This vibrant pattern features a painted paintbrush fiber or mayfly tail, a Super Hair body with yellow chartreuse strands accented by a single red strand, a thread-built thorax, and bright yellow fluoro fiber legs and wing casing. The UV resin coating gives the fly durability and a subtle sheen.
Spring, Summer
Intermediate
Trout
Overview
This Charlie Craven pattern from Charlie's Fly Box showcases his innovative Super Hair body construction that has become a hallmark of his nymph patterns. The Juju Sally targets the ubiquitous Little Yellow Sally stoneflies found in most western freestone streams. The combination of yellow chartreuse with a single red strand creates subtle segmentation and color variation that mimics the natural. The fluoro fiber legs and wing casing add visibility and suggest the developing wing pads of the natural nymph. The UV resin coating adds durability while creating a realistic sheen.
Pattern Characteristics
Materials
Hook: JB01 or Daiichi 1150, #14-16
Thread: UNI 8/0, yellow
Tail: Wooster Paint Brush Fiber (or Mayfly Tails), yellow
Body: Super Hair, yellow chartreuse (3 strands) and red (1 strand)
Thorax: UNI 8/0, yellow (thread built)
Casing: Fluoro Fiber, yellow
Legs: Fluoro Fiber, yellow
Glue: Solarez UV Resin, medium
Fishing Tips
Season
Most effective during spring and early summer when Little Yellow Sally stoneflies are active. These insects typically emerge from April through July depending on location and water conditions.
Presentation
Fish tight to banks, in riffles, and around structure where stonefly nymphs naturally occur. Dead drift near the bottom or swing at the end of the drift to imitate nymphs moving to emergence sites.
When to Use
Select this pattern when stonefly nymphs are active or when fishing water known to have strong yellow sally populations. The bright coloration makes it an effective attractor when fish are looking up for emerging insects.
Water Type
Designed for moving water, particularly freestone streams with cobble and boulder bottoms where stoneflies thrive. Effective in riffles, runs, and the cobbled tailouts where stonefly nymphs congregate before emergence.
Rigging Suggestions
Fish on a euro nymph rig or under an indicator with 4X-5X tippet. Can be fished as a single fly or as the point fly in a two-nymph rig with a smaller attractor as the dropper.
Visibility & Floatation
The bright yellow coloration and fluoro fiber components provide excellent visibility for the angler when sight nymphing. The pattern sinks well and rides naturally in the current.
