During the colder winter months, patterns like the Opal Annelid are highly effective. This is in part due to fish being more selective when water flows are down, allowing them more time to consider your fly offering, and we often default to “tiny and shiny” flies because of how effective they are in these situations. Turning over rocks will often reveal small annelids (aka worms) most commonly referred to as rock worms. We’ve seen a lot of success fishing the Opal Annelid at our favorite tailwaters year round. Pair it with an egg, small midge, baetis, or caddis nymph and you’re sure to find a few hungry fish.  

Our favorite ways to fish it: 

• Nymphed at either position on your rig

• The stinger hook in a pegged egg setup

Type of Water: Rivers, Creeks 

Imitates: Worm 

Target Species: Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout 

Insect Life Stage: n/a

Pair it with: Purple Reign, Hot Wire CDC Pheasant Tail, Quick Caddis, Crackleback Midge, Green Machine, H2 Flashback