Surveyor
Imitates: Large mayfly nymph, stonefly nymph, and general searching nymph
Quick Reference
- Best Sizes
- #12-16
- Best Season
- Year-round
- Best Conditions
- Pocket water, broken riffles, Euro rigs, searching new water
- Water Temp
- 40-62°F
- Recommended Tippet
- 4X-5X fluorocarbon
How to Rig It
Usually best as the heavier point fly in a Euro rig, with a smaller nymph trailing behind it.
How to Present It
Drift it deep through rough water where trout have little time to inspect. The Surveyor is meant to be seen and eaten quickly.
Why It Works
It blends a buggy hare's ear body, durable ribbing, visible hot spot, and enough bulk to represent a wide range of nymphs without looking too specific.
History
Lance Egan designed the Surveyor as a highly practical competition fly that could cover water efficiently and produce in many different river types without constant fly changes.
Pro Tip
If you are unsure what to start with, start with the Surveyor. It is one of those flies that tells you quickly whether trout are willing to move on a bigger buggy nymph.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is it called the Surveyor?+
Because it is a great searching fly for surveying new water and quickly figuring out whether trout are feeding near the bottom.
What does the Surveyor imitate best?+
A little of everything — mostly larger mayfly or stonefly-style nymphs, but really it shines as a broad searching pattern.
Not sure if Surveyor is right today?
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