Why I Always Carry an Intruder Fly Pattern
I remember the first time I saw an intruder fly pattern sitting in a fly shop bin; I honestly thought it was a joke or maybe some kind of weird art project. It looked like a miniature, neon-colored tropical bird that had been through a blender, and I couldn't imagine a steelhead—or any fish for that matter—wanting to put that mess in its mouth. But then I saw someone swing one through a deep, cold run on the Skagit River, and the way that thing moved in the water changed my perspective instantly. It didn't just sit there; it breathed, pulsed, and looked alive in a way that traditional streamers just can't match. ...