Intruder

Rainbow trout · SalmonMid-depth

The modern big-fish fly — a long, translucent, heavily-dressed shank-and-trailer pattern that holds a huge profile while staying light enough to swim. The template for steelhead and salmon swinging.

Fish this when

Cold or coloured water on big rivers, swung deep on a sink-tip for steelhead and salmon when a large, slow, visible fly is wanted.

Why it works

Long ostrich and schlappen build a big, breathing profile that pushes water and shows up at distance, while the trailing stinger hook converts the soft, short pulls of a winter fish.

Naturals it imitates