The red and white fly called the Doodle Bug is also known as the Devil Bug. It’s a dry fly that works for both coldwater and warmwater species. You won’t see this bug in many online shops or racks at your local fly shop. In fact, the only place I know of that reliably sells it is Big Y Fly Company, where I’ve ordered from before.

I can’t vouch for the site, but looks like you can also get a juicy looking black version of it from Murrays Fly Shop, where it’s called the Cooper Bug.

I got to know the brightly colored version that I’m familiar with from a fishing camp in Western Maine. This fly will reliably catch brook trout. If you’re looking to try a new dry fly this coming year, give it a shot. I include a few recipes below that I’ve found online along with some instructional videos. Additional instructions available on garyborger.com. Spring is coming!

 

Recipe 1 from Rangeley Region Sports Shop:

Hook: dry fly #10
Thread: red
Body: red chenille
Wing: white, deer body hair

 

Recipe 2 from Orvis (along with a cool blog post):

Hook: Standard dry-fly hook (here a Dai-Riki #300), sizes 8-18.
Thread: Brown, 8/0 or 70 denier.
Tail/Back/head: Natural deer hair, cleaned and stacked.
Body: Red dry-fly dubbing.
Adhesive: Head cement or Sally Hansen Hard-As-Nails.