Humpy

The Humpy (also called the Goofus Bug) is the western angler's ace in the hole: a buoyant attractor dry fly that suggests mayfly, caddis, and stonefly simultaneously. The distinctive deer hair loop pulled over the back forms both body and wing, creating a fly that rides like a cork in rough pocket water. Tie it in red, yellow, and natural — each version excels under different conditions. A fly box staple for whitewater fishing.

Type

dry fly (Mayfly)

Hook sizes

#10–16

Target species

trout

Difficulty

intermediate

Best seasons

spring, summer, fall

Materials

• hook: Dry fly hook #10–16
• thread: Red or yellow 6/0
• tail: Deer or moose hair
• underbody: Tying thread (red or yellow), visible at sides
• overbody: Deer hair loop pulled over and tied down forming hump
• wing: Deer hair tips from hump, divided and upright

Tying steps

1. Mount a size 10–16 hook; start red or yellow thread; tie in deer or moose hair tail.
2. Tie in a long bunch of deer hair over the hook shank, tips pointing forward past the eye, butts to the bend.
3. Wind colored thread over the butts to create the visible underbody.
4. Pull the deer hair back over the body and tie down at the 2/3 mark to form the hump.
5. Divide the remaining deer hair tips into two and stand as upright wings.
6. Tie in brown and grizzly hackles behind the wings.
7. Wind hackles 4–5 turns; tie off, build a small head, whip finish, and cement.
8. Apply a drop of head cement to the thread head and to the loop tie-down point — the deer hair loop must be locked firmly or it will slide back under casting.