Blowtorch

Attractor with hot spot tag; peacock body triggers strikes.

Printed on the 3 of diamonds

The Blowtorch was designed by Devin Olsen out of competition fishing, and it is an unusually well-judged combination of triggers. A peacock herl body gives natural iridescence, a fluorescent orange collar gives a point of focus, and two short rubber legs add movement that most Euro-nymphs deliberately lack.

Those legs are the interesting choice. Competition nymphs generally strip away anything that slows the sink rate, but a small amount of leg movement makes the fly read as alive in a way a bare resin body does not. It is a deliberate trade of a little sink speed for a lot of animation.

It fishes as a general attractor nymph rather than an imitation of anything specific, which makes it an excellent searching fly on water you do not know. Where a Perdigon is a scalpel, the Blowtorch is a fly you tie on to find out where the fish are.

What does a Blowtorch imitate?

Mayfly and small stonefly nymphs, with a hot collar.

How do you fish a Blowtorch?

Tight-line or indicator nymphing, dead drift close to the bottom. Effective as either the anchor or the dropper depending on bead weight.

When should you fish a Blowtorch?

Year round, and a strong first choice when prospecting unfamiliar water.

What are the quick tips for fishing it?

• The orange collar is the trigger — do not tie it sparse.
• Excellent searching fly when you have no information about a river.
• Pair it with a drabber nymph so you cover both approaches at once.

How is a Blowtorch tied?

• Hook: jig nymph hook, #14-#18
• Bead: slotted tungsten
• Tail: coq de Leon fibres
• Body: peacock herl, wire ribbed
• Legs: two short rubber legs
• Collar: fluorescent orange thread or dubbing

Dressings vary by tier and region. Treat this as the common recipe, not the only one.