A hook tied Royal Wulff—photo Wikipedia Commons.
The ‘Royals’ are distinctly different, yet closely related, making it impossible not to notice
Henry Clement, Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, August 2023.
By Henry Clement
The Royal Coachman (RC) fly pattern was created in 1878 by John Hailey, a coachman in New York City serving affluent clients. It is one of the most iconic American fly patterns, alongside the Adams and Elk Hair Caddis. With a proven track record of effectiveness on American streams and rivers for over 145 years, the RC carries a rich history.
Its undeniable successes made it a favorite among aristocratic anglers during the Bamboo age. Today, traditional anglers still carry this fly, which continues to catch trout, connecting us to a longstanding legacy of successful fly fishing.
Lee Wulff
Later, in the 1930s, Lee Wulff developed the Royal Wulff, a variation of the RC that showcased adaptability. Initially designed to withstand the sharp teeth of large Minipi brook trout, the Royal Wulff has become a popular and effective dry fly pattern for trout.
It is known for its buoyancy, visibility, and ability to attract fish even when there is no obvious insect hatch. As an attractor pattern, it is meant to draw attention rather than mimic a specific insect.
The Royal Wulff’s adaptability paved the way for others to develop hair-wing patterns around the same time, inspiring a new wave of fly designs.
Note:
Salmo trutta illustration by award-winning watercolorist Thom Glace. Used with permission.
The Royal Wulff was mistakenly attributed to Lee Wulff, although he contributed significantly to developing it and other fly patterns. While it shares similarities with hair-wing styles, the Royal Wulff is still a very popular trout dry fly. It is particularly effective in fast runs and is noted for its buoyancy, visibility, and ability to get aggressive takes.
Tied as a tube, the Wulff Royal swims and fishes more productively and lasts much longer
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