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.
Related patterns
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.
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
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
- terrestrial
- Life stage
- adult
Pattern details
- Moving Water
- Rocky Mountain
- dead-drift
- stonefly-hatch
- hopper-season
- classic
- guide-fly
- attractor
- searching-pattern