Every time I head out west for some trout R&R, there’s one dry fly pattern specifically that I always stock at least one fly box with exclusively. Idylwilde’s Chubby Chernobyl is the pattern I’m referring to and it’s probably caught more trout for me the past three years on western trout water than any other fly pattern. I absolutely love this pattern because it’s durable as hell and floats all day long even when I drop a heavy nymph behind it. It does a great job imitating stoneflies and terrestrials, but it also shines as an all-around attractor pattern. For veteran fly fisherman out there, I know, you’ve been fishing them for years and wrecking fish. But here at Gink & Gasoline, it’s really important to us that we’re providing fly fishing information for all skill levels including newcomers to the sport.

Hurculean Wyoming Cutthroat taken on a Chubby. Photo By: Louis Cahill

The Chubby Chernobyl has saved the day for me on many occasions and it’s become one of my favorite go to flies when trout are looking up. The Chubby Chernobyl always seems to bring the big boys to the surface, but at the same time it doesn’t appear to be intimidating to smaller fish either. Because of this, fishing the Chubby Chernobyl from the spring into fall generally makes for an exciting day of dry fly fishing.

Try a Golden Chubby Chernobyl when targeting a golden stonefly hatch or use it as a great all around grasshopper immitation. Dub it in olive and size it down and you’ll be ready for the Skwala stonefly hatch. Tie it with a black/orange foam body and black legs and it’s a sure win for imitating giant salmonflies. The black foam body with red dubbing and legs has produced trophy size browns, rainbows, and cutthroat trout for me every time I’ve visited the Green River. And a friend of mine swears by the black body with purple dubbing and legs as a nearnuff dragonfly imitation. As you can see, this is one versatile dry fly pattern that’s truly worthy of reserving significant real estate space in your fly box.

Tying The Chubby Chernobyl

Keep it Reel,