Fly Focus: Mushroom & Swiss Bugger

There is not really anything new about the Mushroom & Swiss Bugger. It's pretty much just an ordinary Wooly Bugger, which has been around for decades now. The only thing unique about it is the color scheme. It's full of browns and olives and yellows and blacks and other shades of brown, and when you put it all together it turns into a real fish catcher. Especially in the late summer or autumn times of year. I don't know exactly what the fish think it is; maybe a small brown trout. Or maybe a sculpin or some other kind of small baitfish. Whatever it is, they oftentimes can't get enough of it.

Mushroom & Swiss, ready to fish!

As I mention in the video, I like to cast it across stream, or even slightly upstream, towards the far bank. Then I usually mend the line a couple of times to help the fly sink a little bit. Then as it's gets below me I start stripping it in in short, sharp bursts. Be ready for some fast action!

Let's watch how to tie it, shall we?

Mushroom & Swiss Bugger Recipe

Hook: Tiemco 5263 or other 3X long, heavy nymph/streamer hook, size 4-10
Bead: Black, Bronze or Copper, sized for the hook
Weight: 6-15 wraps of lead wire
Thread: 8/0 or 6/0, brown or gray
Tail: Spirit River Mottlebou, brown
Rib: Brassie sized copper wire
Body: Olive/brown mottled chenille
Hackle: Cree, sized to the hook

40 fish later...