Diawl Bach

The Diawl Bach, which translates from Welsh as "little devil," is a classic fly pattern popular for trout fishing, particularly in stillwater fisheries throughout Britain and Northern Europe. Known for its simplicity and effectiveness, the Diawl Bach is a versatile nymph that can mimic a variety of aquatic insect larvae, including midge pupae, snails, and even small leeches. Its slender body and subtle profile make it ideal for imitating the smaller creatures that trout often feed on, especially in the early spring or late autumn when the trout are keying in on midges or other bottom-dwelling larvae.

Fish It on a Washing Line Setup: The Diawl Bach excels when fished as part of a washing line rig, where it’s suspended just below the surface by a buoyant point fly. This allows the fly to drift naturally, mimicking the movement of midge pupae or other larvae that are rising through the water column.