Coachman

The Coachman is a classic English wet fly created around 1830 by Tom Bosworth, a royal carriage driver who served British monarchs including George IV, William IV, and Queen Victoria. Originally designed for nighttime fishing, the pattern features an iridescent peacock-herl body, white duck-quill wings, and brown throat hackle, with no tail. Its bold contrast makes it an effective attractor when no specific hatch is occurring.

Curated by the IdentaFly fly fishing team.

At dusk, grease only the leader’s butt section and leave the final few feet untreated. This keeps the fly just beneath the surface while maintaining a visible connection to the swing, making subtle nighttime takes easier to detect.