Hairy Fodder

The Hairy Fodder fly was designed by Craig Riendeau as a snag-resistant crawdad pattern tailored for smallmouth bass in his home waters of Minnesota. Initially created to navigate the rocky riverbeds where smallmouth bass often reside, the Hairy Fodder has since evolved into an effective, all-around baitfish fly. It has become highly productive for a wide range of game fish, including striped bass, redfish, seatrout, and summer flounder. The fly's innovative design, combining a durable construction with lifelike movement, allows it to replicate a variety of prey species, making it versatile for different fishing environments. The Hairy Fodder has earned recognition for its success across multiple species, proving its worth in both freshwater and saltwater conditions. Photo and content information courtesy of Thefisherman.com article July 2022 by Angelo Peluso.

Fish Near Bottom Structure: The Hairy Fodder excels when fished near the bottom in areas with structure like rocks, submerged logs, or weed beds, where crawfish and baitfish often hide. Use a sinking line to get the fly to the right depth and allow it to drift naturally along the bottom.