Woolly buggers are essentially large nymph flies that look like mayfly nymphs, stonefly nymphs, hellgrammites, drowned grasshoppers or crickets, and crawfish or minnows, depending on size and color. There are many variations of the woolly bugger, and for the most part, they are all highly successful.
Using Woolly Buggers for Largemouth Bass and Panfish
Largemouth bass will gladly take woolly buggers that are in the right colors and sizes. In ponds, bass may prefer larger flies in dark colors, such olive, brown, and black. Rubber legs on a bugger may also boost a fly's success rate, as it makes the fly look more insect-like. Woolly buggers may be allowed to drift freely in deeper water, or they may be stripped at various paces. In ponds, casting the fly to structure, and allowing it to sink for a few seconds, before beginning a series of slow, short strips is often best. When the flies are small enough, or the fish are large enough, panfish will also grab woolly buggers in ponds, and when targeting these fish, it may be best to perform a series of quick, short strips, to have the fly darting quickly.
Fishing with Woolly Buggers for Smallmouth Bass
In rivers, smallmouth bass are often found along the shore, and for these fish, the flies may be dead-drifted along the bank, with the optional addition of a stray strip. Bead-headed buggers, which are weighted, are more productive in rivers because they sink the fly even in strong current. This means that the fly will get down to where hellgrammites and insect larvae are found, and where smallmouth bass are waiting for such morsels. Although smallmouth have no problem pursuing moving flies, stripping a woolly bugger will cause the fly to move up in the water column, so it may be best to let it drift naturally (for the most part), which will get it down to the fish.
Fishing for Trout with Woolly Buggers
Trout will readily take woolly buggers when they are feeding under the water's surface. To trout, these flies look like large stonefly or mayfly nymphs, drifting along in the current. Again, rubber legs are a plus at times, as they add motion to a fly, even when it is drifting freely. In rivers where trout live, woolly buggers should be fished along the bottom, or allowed to drift along the shore, as they are for smallmouth bass. From a boat, these buggers make excellent flies because they may be cast to the shore, and allowed to drift downstream at the speed of the boat.
When fishing for trout with woolly buggers in deep water, it is important to ensure that the fly reaches the bottom. Often, anglers think they have a hit from a fish when it turns out to be nothing more than a quick snag on the bottom, but that is a good sign, because it means that the fly was where the fish are. Bead-headed woolly buggers are better for use in deep water, because they are heavier.
Woolly buggers are so successful because they perfectly represent many species of insects, baitfish, and crustaceans that bass, trout, and panfish feed on. Tying woolly buggers is also easy, and they may be created in various shapes, sizes, and colors, and with many different materials.
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