Burk’s Aggravator

Andy Burk

Andy Burk

Andy Burk, a Central Sierran fly fishing guide, designed this fly originally for smallmouth bass. Yet, it has also been very effective for a number of other species including largemouth, steelhead, rainbow trout, cutthroat trout, brown trout, brook trout, salmon and even panfish. 

Composite Pattern

The pattern is basically a composite of a Nymph and Marabou Streamer with Rubberlegs thrown in. It could represent a damsel nymph, a stonefly, a minnow, or a crawdad. Lot’s of action, a pure attractor streamer. Some have even adapted the pattern to be articulated.

Presentation

To fish the Aggravator in fast moving water an angler can either dead drift the fly through a fishy looking run or riffle or strip it actively against the current to try and get a reaction strike. In stillwater, a sinking fly line will get the fly to the big fish while the waving marabou tail and wiggly silicone legs should put any fish in the vicinity into a feeding frenzy. Andy has tied these in variations of black, olive and Prince Nymph.

Variations

Burk's Aggravator, Black
Burk’s Aggravator, Black

Burk’s Aggravator, Black

Hook TMC 200R # 6-14
Thread Danville Black 6/0
Head Copper Bead
Weight Leadfree Wire wraps
Ribbing Pearl Krystal Flash
Legs Purple/Electric Blue Crazy Legs
Body Black Hare-tron Dubbing
Thorax Black Hare-tron Dubbing
wingcase Dark Mottled Turkey Tail
Tail Black Marabou
Tag Pearl Krystal Flash 
Collar Black Ostrich
Burk's Aggravator, Prince Nymph
Burk’s Aggravator, Prince Nymph

Burk’s Aggravator, Prince Nymph

Hook TMC 200R # 6-14
Thread Danville Black 6/0
Head Gold Bead
Weight Leadfree Wire wraps
Ribbing Medium Gold Wire
Legs Pumpkin/Olive Black Crazy Legs
Body Peacock Herl
Thorax Peacock Herl
wingcase White Goose Biots
Tail Brown Olive Marabou
Tag Pearl Krystal Flash 
Collar Peacock Herl