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.
Related patterns
Behavior & presentation
- Natural Behavior
- Small stonefly nymphs crawl actively along streambeds, clinging to rocks while grazing. Their periodic drift during migration to shore for emergence makes them vulnerable prey. Considerable size relative to other nymphs makes them sought-after meals.
- Where Trout Eat It
- Fish target these along the streambed in pocket water, runs, and riffle edges where nymphs tumble through feeding zones during migration.
- How to Fish It
- Dead drift near bottom or swing at drift's end to imitate nymphs moving toward emergence sites along banks.
- Best Water
- Work pocket water, runs, riffle edges, and structure near banks where stoneflies migrate.
- Strike Type
- Indicator dips, line hesitations, or subtle tightening signal bottom takes.
Fishing strategy
- 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.
- Seasonal Timing
- and early summer when Little Yellow Sally stoneflies are active. These insects typically emerge from April through July depending on location and water conditions.
- Pro Tips
- The pattern sinks well and rides naturally in the current.
Where to fish it
Rivers anglers pair with this fly, with local shops that stock it.
River details and fly shops from River & Run, our sister site.
Entomology
Golden stonefly nymphs crawl actively along the streambed, clinging to rocks with powerful legs as they graze on algae and detritus. Their considerable size and periodic drift during migration to shore for emergence make them sought-after prey for hungry trout.
- Order
- Plecoptera
- Family
- Perlidae
- Common name
- Golden Stonefly
- Organism
- insect
- Life stage
- general
Pattern details
- Moving Water
- Rocky Mountain
- dead-drift
- indicator-nymph
- baetis-hatch
- stonefly-hatch
- modern
- attractor
- searching-pattern
- swing
- freestone
