Rainbow Warrior
Imitates: Generic small mayfly nymph (BWO, midge), attractor
Quick Reference
- Best Sizes
- #16-20
- Best Season
- Year-round, peaks on tailwaters in winter and spring
- Best Conditions
- Clear tailwaters, slow seams, picky trout
- Water Temp
- 40-60°F
- Recommended Tippet
- 6X fluorocarbon
How to Rig It
Dropper 18" below a heavier nymph or under a small indicator. Tiny tungsten bead helps it ride low.
How to Present It
Dead-drift through slow seams and the back of pools. The pearl flash catches fish in low light and gin-clear water.
Why It Works
Pearl tinsel over red thread creates a translucent body that mimics a stressed mayfly nymph perfectly. The rainbow dubbing thorax adds a halo of UV reflection that picky tailwater trout key on.
History
Designed by Lance Egan for the South Holston River in Tennessee. He won multiple national championships using it on tailwater fish that had seen everything.
Pro Tip
On the Bighorn, San Juan, or any clear tailwater, drop a #20 Rainbow Warrior off a Pheasant Tail. The flash sells the rig.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is it called Rainbow Warrior?+
The thorax is tied with multi-color rainbow sow scud dubbing that catches every wavelength of light underwater.
What size Rainbow Warrior catches the most fish?+
#18 with a silver tungsten bead is the most universal. Drop to #20 in winter on tailwaters.
Not sure if Rainbow Warrior is right today?
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