Dry FliesRed Ass Bumble
Ed Shenk's attractor pattern features bright red floss at rear triggering aggressive strikes in freestone streams. Bushy palmered hackle creates large footprint on water surface, imitating various terrestrials and aquatic insects. Natural materials provide excellent floatation in choppy water while high visibility design succeeds for prospecting.
Spring, Summer, Fall
Intermediate
Trout
Feb 2026
Overview
Ed Shenk's attractor pattern features bright red floss at the rear that triggers aggressive strikes in freestone streams. The bushy palmered hackle creates a large footprint on the water surface, imitating various terrestrials and aquatic insects. Natural materials provide excellent floatation in choppy water. The high visibility design works well for prospecting pockets and runs where trout respond to bold, impressionistic presentations rather than exact imitations.
Materials
Hook: Grip 14723BL #12
Thread: Danville
Hackle: French partridge, dyed olive
Body hackle: Hen, dyed dark olive
Rib: Wire, gold
Tail: Pintail barbs, dyed olive
Butt: Tying thread
Behavior & Presentation
Natural Behavior: Large caddis species beat their wings audibly on the surface while attempting liftoff after egg-laying, sounding like tiny helicopters. The noise and vibration carry underwater, attracting fish from distance who associate these signals with oversized, energy-rich prey.
Where Trout Eat It: Designed for freestone streams with broken water and pocket water where trout make quick feeding decisions. The bushy profile handles turbulent currents while maintaining surface position.
How to Fish It: Cast upstream into pocket water and broken runs. The bright red trigger point and bushy profile attract aggressive strikes from opportunistic feeders in fast water.
Best Water: Best for prospecting pockets and runs where trout respond to bold, impressionistic presentations rather than exact imitations. The high-visibility design excels during opportunistic feeding periods.
Strike Type: In broken water, fish often attack this pattern aggressively with splashy, impulsive strikes. The bushy hackle triggers quick decisions—expect sudden surface eruptions or slashing takes in pocket water and fast runs.
Fishing Strategy
Rigging Suggestions: Fish on 7.5-9 foot leader with 3X-4X tippet. Heavier tippet matches aggressive nature and supports the bushy pattern through turbulent pocket water.
Seasonal Timing: Most effective during high-water periods April through June and terrestrial season July through September when water temperatures range 50-65°F. Aggressive feeding during mid-day periods produces reliable results with attractor presentations.
Pro Tips: Bright red floss triggers aggressive curiosity strikes in fast water where trout make instant feeding decisions. The palmered hackle creates large surface footprint that remains visible in choppy conditions where exact imitations disappear.
Entomology
Large caddis species beat their wings audibly on the surface while attempting liftoff after egg-laying, sounding like tiny helicopters. The noise and vibration carry underwater, attracting fish from distance who associate these signals with oversized, energy-rich prey.
- Order
- Trichoptera
- Common Name
- Caddisfly
- Organism Type
- insect
- Life Stage
- adult