Man, if there’s one fly that’s saved my bacon more times than I can count, it’s the Copper John. That little weighted beast sinks like a rock—which, honestly, is exactly what you want when the fish are glued to the bottom. I remember the first time I tied one on during runoff season on the Madison, thinking, "This thing’s gonna snag every five seconds," but damn if it didn’t outfish my entire box by lunch.

So, tying it. You’re gonna want a short or medium shank hook—nothing fancy. Wrap that copper wire tight around the shank, and I mean tight, like you’re pissed at it. That’s what gives it the weight to punch through current. Some folks add wire ribbing for segmentation, which, sure, makes it tougher, but honestly? I’ve had fish hammer the ones where I got lazy and skipped it. Thorax is peacock herl, because trout lose their minds over that iridescent fuzz. Then you’ve got the wing case—or shellback, wait no, wing case—I always mix those up. Thin Skin or Flashabou, whatever’s in your tying drawer. Pull it over the thorax, jam it behind the bead, and you’re golden. Speaking of beads: tungsten. Always. Unless you’re in some skinny water, then maybe brass, but personally, I swear by tungsten when the flow’s cranking.

What’s it imitate? Hell, everything and nothing. Mayflies, stoneflies, caddis—trout see that copper flash and just react. I’ve had days where they’re keyed in on olives, and this thing still gets ate. Maybe it’s the weight, that plink sound when it hits the surface, or maybe they think it’s a… I dunno, disoriented beetle? Doesn’t matter. Fish it deep, fish it slow. Dead drift it under an indicator, swing it through a tailout, or tight-line it like you’re nymphing for your life. Vary the depth till you find ‘em—sometimes they want it dragging bottom, other times they’ll grab it on the drop.

Works everywhere, too. Rivers, lakes, even those weird little farm ponds with bass that’ll eat anything shiny. Reminds me of those old Rooster Tail lures, just way more subtle. Anyway, just my two cents—tight lines out there and maybe…