Bead Head Zug Bug Fly

The Zug Bug Nymph is a caddis fly imitator.  The pattern can be used for a variety of presentations in the water.  The Zug uses peacock with a small wing case to mimic a caddis.  While not one of the most popular nymph patterns like the Prince, Pheasant Tail, Hare’s Ear or Copper John, the Zug Bug won its way into my heart years ago.  We can thank Cliff Zug for the fly, he developed it in the 1930’s.

I was fishing a stretch of water I knew held fish.  This chute was deep, narrow, and long, and I had taken 40+ fish out of it over the years.  On this day however nothing would work.  The water was slightly off color, and the sky was scattered clouds but not overcast.

I used the prince, trailed with a San Juan worm, the Copper John, Prince and all of the other favorites I traditionally use.  On a whim I used a prince and trailed a Zug Bug.  On the first cast the Zug was hit.  Over the next 2-3 hours the Zug produced 7 or more fish.

I like using the Zug Bug when the sky is a little overcast, but not brightly sunny.  There is something about filtered sunlight hitting the Zug in the water.  The peacock and brass bead embrace the sunlight and tend to sparkle in the water.

Trout and Panfish love the Zug on the same water conditions.  Fishing ponds and lakes where the water is still is a great use for the Zug.  It is one of my go to flies now, I try them on nearly every trip.

The Zug is also included in our Nymph Kit.