Vickie’s Grizzly Bug

When there are no visual signs of feeding fish

My Grizzly Bug is a scaled down cousin of my predator bugger. This micro bugger pattern has a smaller profile and silhouette and imitates a host of aquatic food sources. This suggestive fly is an excellent search pattern for locating feeding trout.

The Grizzly Bug name comes from the oversized grizzly head hackle and nymph saddle that create its tapered profile. UV materials integrated into the seal dubbing increase the visibility of its appealing, buggy appearance. The marabou tail also includes UV materials and pulsates with lifelike movement as the fly is retrieved. This triggers aggressive hook ups. Trout are addicted to this fly!

Big brook trout caught near a shallow shoreline using the Burnt Orange Grizzly Bug

How to Fish: This fly was designed to target the top three feet and shallow shoreline areas. Intermediate sink tip, slow intermediate sinking, and floating lines are all effective. Use slow,
4-6 inch retrieves incorporating 2-4 second pauses between pulls.

Al Ludlow caught this trout using my Olive Grizzly Bug

When trolling, stop when beginning the retrieve. Otherwise, the speed of the retrieve combined with the troll will move the fly too quickly and reduce your hook ups.

I caught this beautiful 27-inch trout with my Burnt Orange Grizzly Bug

Use a loop knot to attach the fly to the tippet as it allows the fly more natural movement.

Be prepared with a variety of sizes and colors. In low light I prefer the black and olive. During sunny conditions I use the dark burgundy and burnt orange.

In the spring I use a #10 hook. During the summer and fall I reduce the hook size to a #12.