Guide
Hog Louse — house-style illustrationIllustration

Hog Louse

Nymph
#12–14grey / oliveBest: Mar–Apr

When to use

Used early in the season when trout feed on bottom crustaceans; fished on a long leader from a floating line with a slow figure-of-eight retrieve along weedbeds and margins.

Imitates

Freshwater hoglouse (aquatic sowbug)

Team position

Point fly on a floating-line rig (often with booby or emerger above)

Best methods

Figure-of-eightDead-drift

Dressing

Hook
nymph hook, #12–14
Thread
brown or olive 6/0 nylon
Body
olive/brown dubbing (hare’s ear or similar)
Rib
fine gold wire
Hackle
brown cock hackle palmered (brushed out) or ostrich herl for legs
Head
thread, turned-down eye

legs from peacock herl or floss sometimes added

Pairs with

Retrieve & line

  • Cold water — fish it slow and deep

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