Umpqua’s Bubba’s Callibaetis Nymph (3-Pack) Umpqua

Umpqua’s Bubba’s Callibaetis Nymph (3-Pack)

Introducing Umpqua’s Bubba’s Callibaetis Nymph fly, designed by the seasoned angler and fly tyer, Ed Schroeder. This fly has been carefully crafted over 40 years of fishing the Callibaetis hatch, starting at Davis Lake in Oregon, and has proven to be highly effective in fooling even the most discerning trout.

The Bubba’s Callibaetis Nymph fly was developed to overcome the limitations of the Cate’s Turkey, which was the go-to fly for most fly fishermen during those times. The turkey fibers in the Cate’s Turkey easily shredded due to the trout’s teeth, making it ineffective in catching big fish. Over the years, Ed Schroeder made improvements to the fly, using stronger and more effective materials that could withstand the rigors of fishing.

This fly has been extensively tested on the Madison River in Montana, where it has consistently caught big rainbows. A long-time guide even recommended fishing the Bubba’s Callibaetis Nymph fly 18″ above a Prince nymph or stonefly to increase the chances of catching the biggest fish of the day. Ed Schroeder was skeptical at first but was pleasantly surprised when he caught three rainbows over 18″ on the first day he tried it.

The Bubba’s Callibaetis Nymph fly has become a favorite fly for Ed Schroeder, especially during the Callibaetis hatch in Ennis Lake, Montana, where he spends most of his summers. He recommends using a floating line with a long leader using 3 or 4x tippet, attaching the fly 18″ above a chironomid or damsel. This fly is best fished slow, with short strips and stops after every 5 strips. Ed Schroeder has also had success using an intermediate line before and after the hatch, and in deeper waters, using a fast sink line with two Bubba Callibaetis flies.

Ed Schroeder named this fly after his beloved black lab, Bubba, who was always with him in his kickboat.  The Bubba’s Callibaetis Nymph fly is a testament to the relentless pursuit of perfection and consistently produces big trout, just like its namesake.