I sometimes think we forget about trying the traditional winged wet flies during mayfly hatches. Winged wet fly patterns have been around a long time and have successfully fooled many a wild trout. I can remember as a young boy tying winged wet flies that I read about in various books, such as Trout by Ray Bergman. Some of my first trout were taken on winged wet flies fished dead drift in the current.

Two of my favorite patterns are the Coachman and Leadwing Coachman wet flies. Over the years I have caught a lot of trout on these two classic wet flies.I can remember once netting a beautiful 21″ brown during the Hendrickson hatch in early May on a Coachman wet fly. It saved the day after a cold front that morning had the trout reluctant to feed.

Winged wet flies are great to try on many northern freestone streams in the Upper Midwest. Plus, winged wets are really easy to tie once you learn how to align duck quill wings. Try tying them in various sizes too. All you really need is some brown or black thread, a pair of duck quills, some peacock herl and brown hen hackle. You can include a gold tinsel tag at the bend of the hook if you want to add some flash to help attract the trout. Trout may see these wet flies as drowned mayflies or maybe mayflies that are emerging under water. Regardless, these classic winged wet flies are worth having in your fly boxes.

Coachman wet fly

Leadwing coachman wet fly