Some flies just have that “look” about them that screams fish-catching machine. With rubber legs, flash in the body, and pronounced tail, this one certainly fits that bill. This is the classic attractor pattern that works great on either a nymph rig or in a dry-dropper setup. The dirty hipster is extremely effective when fished near the bottom, so it can bounce off rocks right in front of the nose of a trout. If you’re looking for that extra sink rate in the fastest water, pinch a little split shot about 6 inches ahead of the fly.
Rather than imitate naturals, this pattern is an attractor fly, which is designed to grab and hold a fish’s attention. In my own nymphing rigs, I either fish this single or coupled with another fly or two. When paired with another fly, I always make sure to put this nymph at the bottom of the rig.
