Dry FliesMadam XXL
The Madam XXL is an oversized variant of Doug Swisher's legendary Madam X attractor pattern. This big fly has accounted for some of the largest trout caught on dry flies, featuring a perfect bullet head and rubber legs that create irresistible surface disturbance. A proven big-fish pattern that demands attention.
Summer, Fall
Intermediate
Trout
Dec 2025
Overview
Barry Ord Clarke's tutorial focuses on perfecting the bullet head technique that makes this pattern so distinctive. The XXL designation refers to tying the pattern on larger hooks for targeting trophy trout. Originally designed by Doug Swisher for attractor fishing in the Rocky Mountains, the Madam X has become a staple pattern across North America. The large amount of elk hair and the bullet head make the fly float well but low in the surface film, while the bleached color aids visibility at distance on fast water.
Materials
Hook: Mustad R30 94833, size #2–#6
Thread: Dyneema
Tail: Bleached elk hair
Body: Floss silk, yellow or gold
Wing/Head: Bleached elk hair, bullet head style
Legs: Medium rubber legs, white or barred
Behavior & Presentation
Natural Behavior: Grasshoppers tumble clumsily into waterways from streamside grasses during windblown accidents or failed jumps, landing with audible splashes and kicking frantically with powerful hind legs. Fish aggressively strike these terrestrial invaders for their exceptional size and caloric density, representing an opportunistic protein windfall unavailable through aquatic forage.
Where Trout Eat It: Trophy trout attack this aggressively at the surface during mid-summer when large terrestrials are active. The pattern lands with audible splash mimicking grasshoppers tumbling from streamside grasses.
How to Fish It: Dead drift through feeding lanes with occasional subtle twitches. The buoyant design supports heavy nymph droppers excellently on 7.5-9 foot leaders tapered to 2X-3X.
Best Water: Rocky Mountain freestone undercut banks and pocket water. Target bank edges and structure where big fish look up for terrestrials.
Strike Type: Big fish crush the bullet-head pattern with explosive takes that create audible splashes near banks; set with confident sweep to ensure penetration through bulky elk hair construction.
Fishing Strategy
Rigging Suggestions: Use 7.5-foot to 9-foot leaders tapered to 2X or 3X tippet—the fly's size demands heavier gear. The buoyant design supports heavy nymph droppers excellently.
Seasonal Timing: and early fall when large terrestrials and stoneflies are active. Prime time is mid-summer through September when big fish are looking up.
Pro Tips: Rides naturally in the surface film with rubber legs trailing and twitching in the current.
Entomology
Grasshoppers tumble clumsily into waterways from streamside grasses during windblown accidents or failed jumps, landing with audible splashes and kicking frantically with powerful hind legs. Fish aggressively strike these terrestrial invaders for their exceptional size and caloric density, representing an opportunistic protein windfall unavailable through aquatic forage.
- Order
- Orthoptera
- Family
- Acrididae
- Common Name
- Grasshopper
- Organism Type
- terrestrial
- Life Stage
- adult