The Gill Bug Is Back!
The Gill Bug
David Hutton, Palmetto Fly N Fish
Mar 8 2021Simple flies.
I like simple flies.
Just saying it aloud - “simple flies,” is appealing.
There is no complicated engineering with such patterns, and no laundry list of expensive materials. And that's what we have here today - a simple and very effective pattern for bass and panfish: "THE GILL BUG," aka, "The GB."
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Gill Bugs Galore
Origin Of The Gill Bug
This pattern was the brainchild of Detroit rod builder, taxidermist and inventor, Paul Young.
Mr. Young built some of the finest fly rods ever, and was among the best of the post-WWII rod crafters. He is one of the pioneers responsible for the trend towards lightweight fly rods we enjoy today.
His gear still brings high prices whenever it comes up for sale, and a chapter of Trout Unlimited is named after him.
But Mr. Young was also a keen angler and fly tyer.
Our featured pattern, the Gill Bug, the "GB" for short - is one of his patterns.. It was created to overcome the main drawback of most bass flies:
Fortunately, Mr. Young gave us the Gill Bug to deal with that. His trademark was svelte and light rods. So he came up with this pattern, to be cast with lighter-weight fly tackle. It is not overly air resistant, and it floats well on the water. Best of all, it appeals to bass when they want a surface pattern.
It was also popular in the not-too-distant past, and had a loyal following in the Northeast. It has been adapted to every size hook imaginable - it has caught bass, trout, pike, and panfish of all kinds.
Yet, like so many good, older flies, it has disappeared from the modern fly box. For that reason I am bringing it back. Welcome to, "The Gill Bug Revival!"
What It Is, And The Materials
The Gill Bug, or "GB," can loosely be called a moth-type pattern. The idea of a big moth or butterfly as artificial lure started in the late 1800's, and was common through much of the 20th century.
But, the "moth fly," or at least the concept, is mostly unloved today and barely lingers in the corners of fly fishing. Fortunately, bass don't know or care about all that. To them, it looks like something scrumptious to eat, and it appeals to our imaginations.
And that is a great combination!
For materials, the original Gill Bug uses only chenille and a clump of deer hair.
But don't be fooled - under that label of, “simple,” is a bit of magic that may not be obvious. The magic is in how the deer hair is arranged.
The Technique
I don't know what it is, but there is just something bewitching about deer hair in a fly pattern. Fish fall for it, like you or I might fall off a log. If I see deer hair in a fly, I'm automatically confident with it.
If that term, "dihedral" is unfamiliar to you, it is the same aerodynamic principle that helps model aircraft fly right side up. In the Gill Bug, it means the fly lands on the water in the proper orientation.
Wing dihedral
Gill Bug Dihedral
For bass sized Gill Bugs, the deer hair is somewhat coarse in bass sizes. For panfish sized "GB's", a finer grade is called for.
Thread is strong and good quality - I use 6/0, 210 Denier, etc. A little cement during construction is added to further strengthen the fly.
Hook sizes for bass are in the #6-#4 range, relatively light, and long enough to give you a decent body length. The Gill Bug is intended to be worked as a surface pattern, and I like a good grade Aberdeen. They are strong, sharp, and not too heavy.
For more about the inherent strength of Aberdeen hooks, check out this article:
"The Great Aberdeen Hook Test"
The chenille for the Gill Bug is your choice. The original pattern from Mr. Young used alternating bands - black and orange. GB's have also been done in black and white, white with natural deer hair, and yellow body/black hair. But any color combination can be done... How about your favorite football teams' colors?!
Variations, Sizes
The Gill Bug can be tied in sizes more in keeping with its name sake...bluegill sized. It makes a dandy panfish bug.
For smaller fish like bluegill, hook sizes #6-#10 are called for.
One adaptation I've worked with for the Gill Bug is an EVA foam body.
The original chenille had to be well greased with fly floatant and eventually becomes water logged. But not EVA foam!
Wound on strips
Cylinders
Segmented
Discs, tied taco style
You can see a couple of the disc styles in the opening foto, but my favorite is the segmented type, and I recommend it.
Fishing notes
The time honored way to fish a “moth fly” is to skitter, or skate it across the waters surface.
You first grease them and the leader well, or use foam and a greased leader, so everything stays high on the water's surface. Then, lift the rod tip high, like you're going to start a back cast, and once it starts moving – you twitch the bug across the surface in a waking, skipping kind of retrieve.
Waggling your wrist at the same time can make the fly dance a little on the surface, another way to make it work its magic.
These skating techniques work best on a fairly short line..., if it is too long, line drag kills the action.
But you soon get the hang of it, and you're in for tons of fun..., and the bass should find it irresistible.
Regardless of whether you use chenille or foam for the body, use some floatant. You want the fly barely in the surface film, to pull off these antics.
Of course you can ust fish the Gill Bug like a regular surface fly, without all those gyrations. It is a good surface fly, a quiet mover, and will get the fish's attention..., and the magic deer hair lure's them in for the take.
Do you want to add the Gill Bug to your own fly or tackle box? Do you have questions, compliments, or suggestions?
If so, email me at...dahutist@gmail.com
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