Euro NymphsOil Slick Perdigon
The Oil Slick Perdigon uses the same ribbing technique as the Oil Slick Buzzer to give off a very distinct buggy sheen that imitates midge larvae or pupae living in rivers and streams. When you tightly wrap the flashabou over the colored wire, it creates an "oil slick" looking reflective translucent effect that fish find irresistible. Even though it's designed for Euro rigs, this pattern works great in a dry-dropper rig because it can really imitate the pupating midge as it heads to the surface.
Year Round
Intermediate
Trout
Overview
The wire color makes a significant difference in this pattern's effectiveness. As far as materials go, it's a simple pattern, but it's important to use the right flashabou or tinsel to achieve the distinctive oil slick effect. This is an oft-forgotten phase of midge development that river fishers should focus on more, and the Oil Slick Perdigon makes it easy to imitate this critical stage.
Pattern Characteristics
Materials
Hook: Fulling Mill 5045 Jig Force Barbless, size #18 (or Umpqua XC400BL-BN, size #18)
Bead: Fulling Mill Slotted Tungsten, metallic light pink, 2.8mm
Thread: UTC Ultrathread 70 Denier, black
Tail: Whiting Coq De Leon Euro Nymph Tailing Pack, pink (or UV2 Coq de Leon Perdigon Fire Tail Feathers, fl. hot pink)
Underbody/Rib: Semperfli Tying Wire 0.2, red
Body: Mirage Tinsel, opal, large
Body Coating: Loon Fluorescing UV Clear Fly Finish
Thorax: Solarez Colored UV Resin, black
Fishing Tips
Season
Year round, particularly effective during midge hatches
Presentation
Dead drift on a Euro rig for precise depth control; also works excellently as a dropper in a dry-dropper setup to imitate emerging pupae
When to Use
Ideal during midge emergences or when trout are feeding on subsurface midge forms; the reflective body is especially effective in low-light conditions
Water Type
Moving water, especially tailwaters and spring creeks with consistent midge populations
Rigging Suggestions
Fish on a tight-line Euro rig for maximum control, or use as a dropper below a dry fly to imitate ascending pupae; the tungsten bead gets it down quickly
Visibility & Floatation
Sinks rapidly due to slim profile and tungsten bead; reflective body provides excellent visibility underwater; works throughout the water column
