NymphProblem Child
The Problem Child is an innovative attractor nymph that showcases a unique dubbing loop technique for creating soft-hackle collars with coq de Leon hen saddle fibers. This pattern features dual purple and red tungsten beads, a purple turkey biot tail, an emergence dubbing abdomen with lateral scale ribbing, and a compound dubbing loop collar that combines cut-to-length hen saddle fibers with dubbing. Purple turkey biot horns complete the flashy, eye-catching design that attracts attention in any water condition.
Spring, Summer, Fall
Advanced
Trout
Overview
This Charlie Craven pattern from Charlie's Fly Box represents an innovative approach to soft-hackle collar construction. The pattern was born from Craven's desire to use the outstanding mottling, perfect shape, and extreme webbiness of Whiting Farms coq de Leon hen saddles on smaller patterns. These hen feathers differ dramatically from the long, stiff fibers of coq de Leon roosters - they're about three to four times the size of Indian hen saddles with much longer fibers. While the long fibers made them difficult for conventionally wrapped soft-hackle collars on small flies, Craven adapted a steelhead technique of using dubbing loops loaded with fibers. By cutting the hen fibers to the proper length and combining them with a trace of dubbing in the loop, the dubbing acts as a vehicle to transfer the fibers without separation. This compound loop technique allows for mixed colors, varied fiber lengths, and carefully selected dubbing to enhance the collar.
Pattern Characteristics
Materials
Hook: Daiichi 1160, #14
Bead: Tungsten Bead (Umpqua Radiant), purple and red (7/64")
Thread: Veevus 14/0, red
Tag: Thread coated with UV Resin
Tail: Turkey Biot, purple
Rib: Lateral Scale (Opal Mirage), 1/100"
Abdomen: Emergence Dubbing (Nature's Spirit), purple
Collar: Coq de Leon Hen Saddle, purple (spun in dubbing loop)
Horns: Turkey Biot, purple
Glue: Solarez UV Resin, bone dry
Fishing Tips
Season
Most effective during spring, summer, and fall when mayfly nymphs are active. The attractor colors work well in both clear and off-color water conditions.
Presentation
Fish dead drift under an indicator or tight-line in euro nymphing setups. The dual-bead design provides quick sink rates while the soft-hackle collar creates enticing movement in the current.
When to Use
Select this pattern when trout need something different to trigger strikes. The purple coloration and flashy materials make it effective as an attractor when standard patterns are being refused or as a searching pattern in unfamiliar water.
Water Type
Designed for moving water, particularly freestone streams and tailwaters where attractor patterns can draw fish from their lies. Works well in riffles, runs, and pocket water.
Rigging Suggestions
Fish on a tight-line euro rig or under an indicator. The dual beads provide excellent weight, making it suitable as a point fly in a two-nymph setup. Use 5X-6X fluorocarbon tippet for best results.
Visibility & Floatation
This is a subsurface pattern designed to sink quickly. The purple coloration and lateral scale ribbing provide visibility while the soft-hackle collar creates lifelike movement that triggers strikes from curious trout.
