Dry FliesSunray Diawl Bach
The Sunray Diawl Bach is a dry fly pattern designed by Dave Schmezer. This effective pattern works well in a variety of water conditions and is tied with traditional materials for a proven presentation.
Spring, Summer, Fall
Intermediate
Trout
Feb 2026
Overview
Dave Schmezer's variation on the classic Welsh Diawl Bach pattern incorporates bright materials that create a sunburst effect underwater. The pattern features a peacock herl body with contrasting rib and subtle hackle. The bright elements attract attention in deeper water or low-light conditions while maintaining the suggestive profile that made the original pattern famous on British stillwaters.
Materials
Hook: Kamasan B175 #10-16
Thread: Benecchi 12/0, yellow
Hackle: Hen or soft cock, furnace (or brown) - skinny
Rib: Wire, fine silver
Tail: Hackle barbs, furnace - skinny
Body: Peacock herl, skinny
Hot spot: Lady Amherst tippets, dyed golden yellow - tied short
Behavior & Presentation
Natural Behavior: in lake environments, adult caddis become windblown onto the surface where they struggle against surface tension trying to regain flight. The extended struggles and helpless drifting make these insects prime targets for cruising trout in lakes and reservoirs.
Where Trout Eat It: Fish intercept emergers mid-column in lakes as they drift on-the-drop during slow retrieves. The bright golden yellow hot spot and peacock herl attract cruising trout patrolling various depths searching for ascending insects in British stillwaters.
How to Fish It: Use slow figure-of-eight retrieve with regular pauses to let the pattern sink and rise through the water column. Count 20-30 seconds after cast to reach depth, then twiddle slowly. Watch fly line for takes on-the-drop.
Best Water: Target drop-offs, shoals, and weed edges where buzzer hatches occur. Fish transition zones between shallow and deep water where trout cruise for emergers.
Strike Type: Takes on stillwater retrieves appear as sudden weight or a visible surface swirl when fish intercept the fly mid-column. Watch the fly line tip for subtle draws indicating takes on-the-drop during pauses.
Fishing Strategy
Rigging Suggestions: Fish on 9-12 foot leader with 4X-5X tippet. Can be used as the lead fly in a dry-dropper rig.
Seasonal Timing: Most effective during , , and hatches. Fish this pattern when conditions match the natural prey it imitates.
Pro Tips: Floats well with proper floatant application. The natural materials provide good visibility without spooking wary fish.
Entomology
In stillwater environments, adult caddis become windblown onto the surface where they struggle against surface tension trying to regain flight. The extended struggles and helpless drifting make these insects prime targets for cruising trout in lakes and reservoirs.
- Order
- Trichoptera
- Common Name
- Caddisfly
- Organism Type
- insect
- Life Stage
- adult