In my previous post, I talked about wannabe confidence flies—those patterns that you want to trust but haven’t quite proven themselves yet. This Duracell Jig used to sit squarely in that category. It looked the part, but I never found myself reaching for it when things got tough. That all changed during my last trip out.
After spending a long, cold morning without so much as a bump, I was starting to question everything. Then, in one of those make-or-break moments, I tied on the Duracell Jig and drifted it through a slow, deep pool. The results were instant: a handful of beautiful wild browns stacked up and willing to eat.
That’s the thing about flies with stories—they’re born in moments like these. The Duracell Jig isn’t just a wannabe anymore. It’s earned its place in my box as a fly I can trust when it matters most.
The Origins of the Duracell Jig Fly
The Duracell Jig fly was created by Craig McDonald, a highly skilled angler and member of the competitive fly fishing world. Designed for Euro nymphing, this fly has been a game-changer due to its ability to sink quickly and maintain lifelike movement in the water. Its name, “Duracell,” comes from the fly’s signature Hareline Ice Dub UV Brown body, which has subtle purple highlights reminiscent of the color of a Duracell battery. These highlights, combined with the overall profile of the fly, make it incredibly effective at enticing trout to strike.
This pattern has gained widespread popularity in the competitive fly fishing scene and among recreational anglers because it performs exceptionally well in a variety of water conditions. From shallow riffles to deep pools, the Duracell Jig is a versatile pattern that consistently produces results.
Fishing the Duracell Jig Fly
The Duracell Jig fly is designed for Euro nymphing, a method that emphasizes direct contact with the fly for better sensitivity and control. Here are some tips for fishing this pattern effectively:
When to Use the Duracell Jig
- Low-Light Conditions: The UV Brown dubbing’s subtle purple highlights make this fly particularly effective during overcast days or in shaded areas of the river.
- Cold Water: In cooler months, when trout are hugging the bottom, the Duracell Jig’s heavy tungsten bead ensures it gets into the strike zone quickly.
- Clear or Slightly Stained Water: The natural tones of the Coq de Leon tail and UV Brown body are versatile, making this fly a great choice in varying water conditions.
How to Fish It
- Tightline Nymphing: The Duracell Jig excels in tightline or Euro nymphing setups. Use a long leader and a sighter to maintain direct contact with the fly, allowing you to detect even subtle strikes.
- Double Nymph Rigs: Pair the Duracell Jig with a lighter nymph or emerger as a dropper to cover multiple depths in the water column.
- Targeting Riffles and Seams: Cast the fly upstream into riffles, seams, or pocket water. Allow it to drift naturally, ensuring the tungsten bead keeps it near the bottom.
Why the Duracell Jig Works
The Duracell Jig’s effectiveness lies in its thoughtful design. The slotted tungsten bead ensures a quick descent, while the UV Brown dubbing creates a lifelike appearance with a touch of flash. The CDC collar adds movement, mimicking the legs or emerging wings of aquatic insects. These features, combined with its durable construction, make the Duracell Jig a reliable choice for targeting trout in various conditions.
Construction of the Duracell Jig Fly
Tying the Duracell Jig is straightforward, making it an excellent pattern for both beginner and experienced fly tyers. Below I’ve provided a Video Tutorial and Step By Step Instructions for tying the Duracell Jig.
Materials Needed
Hook: Hanak 450 BL Jig Hook
Bead: Fulling Mill Slotted Tungsten Bead
Thread: UTC 70 Black
Tail Whiting Farms Coq de Leon
Ribbing: Ultra Wire Red-Brassie
Body: Hareline UV Brown
Collar: CDC Brown Olive
Video Tutorial
Step by Step Instructions
Hook and Bead Placement: Start by placing a Hanak 450 BL Jig Hook in the vise and sliding on a 3.2 mm slotted tungsten bead. The slotted bead ensures the fly rides hook point up, reducing snags and enhancing hook-ups.
Thread Base: Using UTC 70 thread in black, create a smooth thread base from just behind the bead to the bend of the hook.
Tail: Tie in a small bunch of Coq de Leon fibers at the hook bend. These fibers are durable and provide excellent movement in the water. Secure the tail with thread wraps and trim the excess.
Ribbing: Tie in a strand of UTC Ultra Wire in red, starting at the bead and wrapping back to the tail.
Body: Form a thin dubbing noodle with Hareline Ice Dub UV Brown and wrap it up the hook shank, creating a tapered body. The subtle purple highlights in this dubbing mimic key triggers for trout, making the fly even more enticing.
Ribbing Wraps: Counter-wrap the red wire up the body to reinforce the dubbing and create segmentation. This adds durability and a visually striking effect.
Collar: If you have a CDC clip, use it to prepare a CDC feather for the collar. Alternatively, place the feather directly into a dubbing loop, secure it with a dubbing twister, and snip off the excess. Wrap the CDC fibers forward, sweeping them back to form a soft, buggy collar.
Head and Finish: Create a small dubbing noodle with the UV Brown dubbing and wrap it behind the bead. This step helps push the CDC fibers back and completes the fly’s profile. Finish with a whip finish and a small drop of UV resin for added durability.
Stay Connected with TroutStrike.com
Follow TroutStrike.com on Instagram and Facebook @troutstrike for daily fly fishing tips, updates, and behind-the-scenes content.
Don’t forget to check out our YouTube channel for fly tying tutorials, nymphing techniques, and more. Subscribe and join the TroutStrike community today!
Thanks for reading! Spend more time on the water!
*Make sure to leave a comment below!
Have a great day!
Jeff Smecker
