Cow Dung
The Cow Dung is an old traditional wet fly with a buggy olive-brown body and mottled wing, useful as a general emerger and drowned-insect pattern for trout. It targets Cow Dung fly pattern, classic wet fly, traditional trout fly, and best buggy wet flies.
Imitates: Drowned mayflies, caddis, and general aquatic insects
Quick Reference
- Best Sizes
- #10-16
- Best Season
- Spring through fall
- Best Conditions
- Riffles, seams, soft hackle water, and cloudy days
- Water Temp
- 45-65°F
- Recommended Tippet
- 4X-5X
How to Rig It
Fish down-and-across as a single wet or in a traditional wet-fly team.
How to Present It
Let it swing slowly and pulse in the current; do not retrieve too fast.
Why It Works
The mottled natural tones suggest several insects without committing to one hatch.
History
Despite the odd name, the Cow Dung is a long-standing traditional wet fly from the classic era of trout fishing.
Pro Tip
Use it as a searching wet fly when bugs are present but you cannot pin down the exact hatch.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Cow Dung fly a real trout pattern?+
Yes. It is a historic wet fly with a strange name but a very practical buggy profile.
Not sure if Cow Dung is right today?
Get a fly recommendation based on live water temp, flow, sky, and time of day for any river in the US.
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