Kelly Galloup Bug Patterns (Not One Streamer)
Words by Drew Evans
It goes without saying, Kelly Galloup has long been an innovator in the sport of fly fishing from his rods, fly lines, tying materials and of course flies. The name ‘Galloup’ is synonymous with the sexual innuendos found on fly bins, big fish, and most commonly, streamers. If someone asked you to rattle off your favorite Galloup Patterns they would likely be of the articulated ilk and bound for the end of 6wt or greater.
There is more to Galloup's flies than articluation and innuendos
For decades Kelly has been producing dries and nymphs that are tried and true proven patterns. His book Cripples and Spinners (2001) is an invaluable resource for the techy dry fly purists or anyone looking to step up their dry fly game. Galloup has also been prolific in producing content related to nymphing as shown in Nymphing by the Numbers with Kelly Galloup (2007) and High Sticking and Reading Water with Kelly Galloup (2012). So, then the question is, how are Kelly’s nymphs and dries not as common place in our fly boxes as his streamers? The answer to this is unclear, the solution, however, is simple: go fish the proven patterns brought to you by Galloup and our friends at Montana Fly Company (MFC) recommended below.
Galloup's Ant Acid and High Vis Ant Acid
The Ant Acid is one of the most notable ant imitations that you can find. The pattern comes in a variety of sizes and colors to meet the needs of many fishing scenarios. Personally, this fly has become a confidence pattern and is without question one of the most successful terrestrials in any box.
Galloup's Butch Caddis
The Butch Caddis might be my favorite fly mentioned from this list (a close rival for #1 would be Galloup’s Brown Drake). This bug is intended to fish well under a number of conditions ranging from still water to fast water and colored up water to gin-clear. This fly produces results when caddis are coming off, it’s that easy. I am always impressed by Galloup’s simplicity and execution in his fly design and this fly is emblematic of that fact. The reverse tied wing ensures that the wing is nice and high and makes the fly float like a cork.
Galloup’s Tilt Wing Drake
This fly is the Adams killer. As a mayfly presentation, it's difficult to beat. The deer hair body adds a slim and realistic profile and provides great support for floating the fly. The elk hair wing is great for visibility and contributes the great profile of the fly. Sizes on the Tilt Wing range from #12-#16. I have used this pattern to match any mayfly hatch and it works as a March Brown imitation as well.
Galloup's Found Link
This pattern is all about versatility. The Found Link is sometimes referenced as a “Cross Dresser” because it works to imitate both mayflies and spent caddis. You can find this in a variety of sizes (#14-#18) and colors (PMD, BWO, Natural, Callibaetis, and Rust). Each of these features a hair wing as well as some Z-Lon which equates to a great presentation as well as an excellent floating fly.
Galloup's Working Girl Sally
Simplicity works to this patterns advantage. The sparce dubbed body wrapped with light wire ensures for a good tracking and low riding bug. The spun hair, head and rubber legs make this fly buoyant in most any stretch of river. When Sally’s are present and this fly hits the water the fish will certainly eat it.
Galloup's Bent Cripple
This one is for the “techy dudes.” When a hatch comes on and the fish are rising but refuse to bite this fly is a proven difference maker. Galloup’s Bent Cripple comes in a variety of colors (PMD, Olive, Yellow, Brown, and Grey) and sizes (#12-#20). What makes this pattern such a success for this crucial time in a hatch is its unique shape and design. The hook on this fly is bent to emulate the shape of a true cripple. The fly’s wing is pulled over to ensure a flat presentation on the surface.
Galloup's Drowned Wasp
This fly is fairly new creation from Galloup. While I have yet to fish one of these, I have no doubt it will hunt the big fish with just the same success we’ve come to expect from Galloup patterns. The sparce body and large bead on this Euro style platform ensures that the fly will get down and start fishing quickly. The rubber legs, wings and antenna provide plenty of movement and the striking yellow color is the icing on the cake. Keep your stingers up and fish this fly with confidence, friends.
Galloup's Drowned Ant
This is also a newer pattern brought to you by Galloup and MFC. It is tied very similarly to the forementioned Drowned Wasp on a Euro platform but includes palmered hackle over the abdomen rather than the wings featured on the Wasp and comes in black/copper brown, black/fire red and classic black. Sizes on this pattern go from a #16 to a #14 and feature a 2.8mm and 3.3mm bead respectively.
Galloup's Downed Caddis
This caddis imitation is an expert assassin, simply put. This simple fly comes in olive and tan and ranges from #14-#18. What I love about this fly is it’s versatility of use. You can fish this under an adult caddis (I recommend the Butch Caddis), in a nymph rig or swing it. It all works.
Galloup's UV Caddis Pupa
This classic caddis pupa comes in both a bead head and non-bead head variety. Another simply tied but effective pattern that really produces. The charm of this fly is the UV Ice Dub.
Galloup's Warbird
This is an easy go-to stone fly imitation. It looks like the love child of a Wooly Bugger and a TJ Hooker (and Pat may have even slipped one of his rubber legs in there somewhere) and fishes like one too. I have used this pattern to great success on trout, but this fly has also proved to be an effective bug for smallmouth both as dropper under a bass popper or fished in conjunction with an Ol’ Mr. Wiggly or a big Chubby.
Galloup's Jigged Tranquilizer
Don’t sleep on this one. The Jigged Tranquilizer is another new-age pattern and is sure to be a fin fetcher. This one is tied again on a Euro platform and covers any mayfly hatch. I’m a big fan of the big bead flies and this looks like a money maker to me. I’m excited to get this one in our bins next year.
To sum it up, you can’t go wrong with Galloup. If there is a fly out there with his name on it you can bet it’s been thoroughly thought through and fished. As you can see there are many patterns in the Galloup fleet of flies both in dries and nymphs that are proven and have been in use for years. Not only this but we are just scratching the surface, Kelly has other patterns not included in this list that can be found in his forementioned books and videos.
Montana Fly Company has been a long time partner with Galloup and will continue to release new dries and nymphs from Galloup in addition to his famous articulated streamer bugs. If you want to get your hands on these patterns or the materials to tie them stop into a House of Fly location near you. Don’t have a location nearby? No problem. Shop the House of Fly Kelly Galloup Collection and we can ship direct to your door.