Diver

TRADITIONAL TROUT FLIES don’t do much other than drift like an insect caught in the current. In slow water, most look about as edible as a paper clip. Invented in the 1970s, the Dahlberg Diver was designed to actually move. More than that, it’s the first—and arguably still the best—diving fly. At rest, it floats. When it’s tugged sharply, however, the flared collar of deer hair drives it underwater, where it wiggles crazily as the buoyant body fights against the downward thrust. Then between tugs, it floats back up. Basically, it’s a diving jerkbait for the fly rod, as lethal and versatile as a plastic-lipped hard bait. The Diver is excellent in both lakes and slower rivers, including deeper water over structure or weeds.

HOOK: WIDE-GAP, SIZES 2 TO 6 TAIL: 4 SADDLE HACKLES, AROUND A LARGE TUFT OF MARABOU FLASH (OPTIONAL): FLASHABOU OVER TAIL

SKIRT: PALMERED SADDLE OR HEN HACKLE

HEAD: SPUN DEER HAIR, TRIMMED TO SHAPE WEEDGUARD (OPTIONAL): 20-POUND MONO