The Slump Buster Fly
A Beginner’s Guide: How to tie the Slump Buster Streamer Fly Pattern
The Slump Buster, crafted by the renowned John Barr, ranks among my favorite fishing flies. Designed to emulate the larger aquatic snacks that fish seek when they’re feeding, this fly proves to be a worthwhile meal for hungry trout. Regardless of whether you’re fishing in still water, tailwater, or freestones, the Slump Buster is an excellent option.
I prefer to construct the body of this pattern slightly differently to increase the sink-rate, using a technique intended for Perdigon nymphs. I wrap the body with flat tinsel — favoring Veevus Iris thread — and then apply UV resin to create a more streamlined profile. This also enhances the fly’s durability. I’ve been able to use the same fly for an entire season without it sustaining significant damage.
How to Fish the Pattern
Fish the Slump Buster near the banks because of its weight, and strip it quickly to evade snags. Alternatively, you can fish them upstream, occasionally using a two Slumpbuster rig, and let them drift and tumble back downstream.
These flies sink rapidly, diving into rock-seams, deeper runs, depressions, or drop-offs. Beyond dead drifting, short strips, bumps, or twitches can be effective. The fly or flies can be fished throughout the entire drift, even into the downstream swing.
Slumpbusters can also be dead-drifted under indicators. They can be fished alone or in combination with other flies, using floating lines and Umpqua’s 9ft Power Taper leaders ranging from 0X to 2X. Rust is the recommended color if you have to choose one, as it either appears different to fish or mimics a crayfish.
When fishing tandem Slump Busters, use a Natural size 4 as the lead fly, followed by an Olive or Rust, size 6 or 8. It’s advisable to keep various sizes and colors of Slump Busters in your fly box, as they are genuinely effective.
Pattern Details
- Family — Minnow / Leech / Crawfish
- Category — Streamer
- Lifecycle Stage — Adult
- Style — Attractor, Leech, Baitfish / Swimmer, Zonker-body
- Best for Seasons — All Year
- Best Time of Day — All Day
Ingredients
- Hook: Firehole Sticks 839, size 4–8 + Lead-Free Heavy Weight Wire underbody wrap
- Bead: Tungsten Cone, Medium
- Thread: Semperfli Nano Silk
- Body: Veevus Iris Thread covered in Solarez Bone-Dry resin, Pine Squirrel Zonker Strip
- Ribbing: UTC Brassie Wire
Steps
- Fix cone head bead on the hook;
- Use 12-wraps of .025 lead-free wire on the hook shank, and push up into the bead to hold in place, secure with Zap-a-Gap;
- Attach wire ribbing;
- Wrap a slim body with flat tinsel or Veevus Iris thread from rear of hook shank up to the bead-head, whip finish to secure, move your thread bobbin to the bobbin holder;
- Cover entire body with a thin coating of Solarez UV-Cure Bone-Dry, hit it with your UV light to harden;
- Attach pine squirrel zonker to head of fly, pushing the zonker up under the cone-head and securing with thread wraps. Whip finish and secure with a drop of Zap-a-Gap to make sure the zonker is in place;
- Lay the zonker down the center of the hook and use evenly-spaced open wraps of wire ribbing to secure zonker to hook. When you are 2–3 eye lengths from head, stop and secure with thread;
- Using another 6–9 inch long zonker strip, attach at head and prepare to wrap a zonker collar;
- Use 3-wraps of zonker for the collar, secure with thread, whip finish and cement.
Additional Resources
Related Patterns
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