Ken’s Red Head Strymph – Bead Head Wet Fly & Nymph Selection

A custom-designed bead head pattern from Capt. Ken Tutalo, built to be fished with a slow, deliberate retrieve. Available in Purple and Rusty Brown.

Description

Ken’s Red Head Strymph is a custom pattern designed by Capt. Ken Tutalo. At first glance, it may look like a traditional bead head wet fly or nymph, but its effectiveness comes from how it is fished.

Rather than simply drifting this fly like a conventional nymph, try stripping it slowly through the water. Its profile, color, and movement can suggest a small baitfish fry or a larger aquatic nymph—or simply trigger a reaction from trout.

This pattern has been particularly effective in heavily pressured water and slow, deep pools where trout have seen plenty of standard nymph presentations.

How to Fish It

The starting presentation is across-stream. Allow the fly to settle, then retrieve it with short, sharp strips of approximately 3–4 inches, followed by pauses.

Experiment with the speed and length of your strips to find what works on your local water. The pauses are an important part of the presentation, allowing the fly to settle and move naturally between strips.

Capt. Ken’s Guide Tips

Don't automatically fish this pattern as a dead-drift nymph. Its strength is the combination of movement and pauses. Start with a slow retrieve and short, sharp strips, especially when working deep, slow pools or trout that have become wary of conventional presentations.

Details

• Designed by: Capt. Ken Tutalo

• Hook: Size #8 wet fly hook

• Colors: Purple Body and Rusty Brown Body

• Available selections: 6-fly and 12-fly selections

• Style: Bead head wet fly / nymph / strymph

Choose your preferred body color and selection size from the options above.

Add Ken’s Red Head Strymph to your fly box when you want to give pressured trout something different from a standard dead-drift nymph.