Ah, the good ol’ Humpy—or as we call it out West, the "Bumblebee Bomber." That thing’s saved my bacon more times than I can count, especially on the Madison when the fish get picky after lunch. Let me tell ya, it ain’t the prettiest fly in the box, but boy does it float like a cork.

So, tying one? Yeah, it’s a bit fiddly. You’ll want a dry hook, size 10 to 18, though I lean toward 14s for most rivers. The body’s just fine dubbing—nothing fancy—but here’s where folks get hung up: that hump. Elk hair’s classic, but honestly? Deer hair works just fine and it’s cheaper. Some guys swear by elk for the stiffness, but I’ve had days where deer out-fished it. Wrap some hackle around the front and back of the wing, and don’t skimp—that’s what keeps it dancing on the surface when the current gets grabby. Tail? Yeah, elk or deer hair again, or sometimes hackle fibers if you’re feeling lazy. First time I tied this, I botched the tail and it still caught fish. Go figure.

What’s it supposed to be? Heck, whatever the trout think it is. Kinda looks like a mayfly, sorta, or a caddice (see, even I mess that up)—but really, it’s just a general "eat me" shape. Size it down, and it’s a passable ant. Bigger? Stonefly impression. Lefty Kreh used to say the fish don’t read fly catalogs, and he wasn’t wrong.

Where’s it shine? Fast, choppy water, no question. Think Gallatin in July when the foam lines start forming. That hump keeps it riding high while other flies get swamped. But here’s a nugget most articles won’t tell you: it’s sneaky-good in slower pockets too, especially in the afternoons when the water’s warmed up and the fish are looking up. Grayling love it, trout hammer it—just don’t overthink it. Toss it where the water’s got some personality, and hold on.