The woolly 8ugger has a strange name but is held in high regard by many anglers from all over the world.
Originally created by a Mr Russell Blessing in 1967, he was looking for a pattern to imitate a dobsonfly nymph.
The woolly 8ugger,
• Hook, l/s and standard wet in a size of your choice
• Tail, Black marabou
• Body, Black chenille
• Body hackle, black cock or hen
• Rib, unspecified but I have used silver wire.
In many ways this fly is a continuation of the older palmered flies like the woolly worm. With the simple addition of a tail it becomes an excellent generic pattern with a strong silhouette. While the original was a very simple black overall, like all great patterns it has spawned a host of variants.
Here is the pattern with a little glam added!
A strong simple pattern it can be tweaked while still retaining its original profile making it instantly recognisable, no matter the colour. I personally like it in smaller sizes fished on the point of a three fly cast, with or without the addition of a coloured bead. In this country it is generally fished as a stillwater pattern, but it is very effective for wild river brownies and even grayling. I would struggle to name a salt or freshwater predatory fish that wouldn’t have a go at this in the correct size.
Another great variation is from Scotland. Devised at Newmills trout fishery in Lanark, it is the Yellow Dancer.
another variation that works well on my club loch.
Fished in all manner of retrieves and lines I am sure you will agree, the woolly 8ugger is well worth a swim.
Tweak it to cover, leeches, baitfish, damsels and stoneflies.
What about some variants of your own?
The Classics: Woolly 8ugger
Linear Mode
