Royal Trude
Imitates: Attractor — generic adult insect / caddis silhouette
Quick Reference
- Best Sizes
- #10-14
- Best Season
- Summer
- Best Conditions
- Western freestones, pocket water, riffles, prospecting unknown water
- Water Temp
- 55-70°F
- Recommended Tippet
- 4X-5X
How to Rig It
Single dry, or as the dry in a dry-dropper with a beadhead nymph.
How to Present It
Dead-drift through likely holding water — riffles, seams, pocket water. The white wing is highly visible in any light.
Why It Works
Bright peacock and red catch trout attention; the white calf-tail downwing makes it visible to the angler in any light. It doesn't imitate anything specifically — it just looks like food.
History
Carter Harrison tied the original Trude in Idaho in 1901 with the white wing tied tent-style. Adding the Royal Coachman peacock-and-red body created the Royal Trude.
Pro Tip
Greatest searching dry fly ever invented for Western pocket water. When you don't know what's hatching, tie on a Royal Trude and start fishing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Royal Trude a caddis?+
It has the silhouette of an adult caddis, but it's classified as an attractor — it doesn't imitate any specific bug.
Not sure if Royal Trude is right today?
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