Not every caterpillar ends up on dry land. The Dagger Mop imitates the fuzzy dagger moth larva, a surprisingly overlooked food source that often finds its way into the water after summer storms or from overhanging streamside vegetation. Trout, panfish, and bass recognize these protein-rich morsels as an easy meal and rarely pass up the opportunity.
 
Tied with ultra-soft mop material to mimic the caterpillar's plump, fuzzy body, this fly comes alive with even the slightest current. A tungsten bead quickly gets it into the strike zone, while the subtle movement of the fibers creates the impression of a helpless insect drifting downstream. Fish it dead-drifted beneath an indicator, bounced along the bottom in pocket water, or slowly twitched along undercut banks where terrestrial insects naturally fall into the water. It's an unconventional pattern that often produces when more traditional flies stop working. Tied on a size 14 jig with a tungsten bead.