Guide
IllustrationBlack Dabbler
Wet fly#8–12black / bronzeBest: Mar–Jun, Sep
When to use
A proven Irish lough dark dabbler for rougher days and for periods when trout are taking buzzer, olives or wet mayfly patterns. It is usually fished high in the water on a pulled wet-fly team.
Imitates
Dark buzzer, duckfly, olive or general wet-fly attractor rather than one exact natural.
Team position
Middle dropper is the classic position; can also be lifted and dibbled high in wave.
Best methods
Figure-of-eightDibbled
Dressing
- Hook
- wet fly, #8-12
- Thread
- black
- Tail
- golden pheasant topping fibres
- Body
- black seal fur dubbing
- Rib
- fine oval silver tinsel
- Hackle
- black cock hackle palmered over the body, with a blue-dyed guinea fowl beard
- Wing
- bronze mallard cloak tied all round, dabbler style
- Head
- black varnished thread head
The Claretbumbler dressing is described as almost standard, with personal tweaks.
Pairs with
Retrieve & line
- Wants a wave — fish it on the bob and dibble it
- Dibbled through the top of the wave before lift-off
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