Greater Water Floatman

The Greater Water Floatman, designed by Phil Rowley, is a tribute to the larger and more aggressive backswimmer, often referred to as the "greater water boatman" in England, where its name originated. Unlike its smaller cousin, the water boatman, the backswimmer is a powerful predator, and Rowley’s pattern captures its distinctive silhouette and movement. Crafted to ride upside down, like the natural insect, this fly offers an accurate imitation both on the surface and when retrieved subsurface. This versatile pattern shines when backswimmers and boatmen are active, particularly in nutrient-rich stillwaters during the fall.

Chironomid Pairing: Tie the Greater Water Floatman on as the point fly in a washing line setup, with chironomid or buzzer patterns on droppers. This setup replicates the mixed diet of trout feeding on both subsurface and surface prey.