Higa's SOS
Imitates: Mayfly nymph or small stonefly with a flashy back
Quick Reference
- Best Sizes
- #14-18
- Best Season
- Year-round
- Best Conditions
- Western tailwaters, freestone rivers, searching pattern
- Water Temp
- 40-65°F
- Recommended Tippet
- 5X fluorocarbon
How to Rig It
Lead nymph in a two-fly rig with a smaller midge or BWO emerger trailing.
How to Present It
Dead-drift through riffles, runs, and seams. The pearl flashback catches fish that ignore plain nymphs.
Why It Works
Spencer Higa designed it as the 'when nothing else works, tie this on' fly. The brown rubber legs pulse, the pearl back flashes, and the slim profile gets eaten by fish that have refused everything else.
History
Spencer Higa created the SOS in Utah in the 2000s. It became one of the most consistent searching patterns in the West, especially on the Provo and Green Rivers.
Pro Tip
If you've worked a hole for 20 minutes with no takes, swap your dropper to a #16 SOS. It triggers strikes from pressured fish more often than any other generic nymph.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does SOS stand for?+
'Save Our Souls' — meant to be the fly you tie on when nothing else is working.
What's the best size SOS?+
#16 is the most versatile. Drop to #18 on tailwaters or bump to #14 during stonefly emergence.
Not sure if Higa's SOS is right today?
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