The Hornberg Special

The Hornberg Special dates back to the 1920s, when Frank Hornberg—a game warden from Portage County, Wisconsin—crafted a fly that would outlast its era. He designed it as a high-floating pattern meant to suggest down-winged insects such as caddis and stoneflies. Over time, anglers discovered that when the fly became waterlogged and slipped below the surface, it remained just as deadly. That accidental discovery transformed the Hornberg into one of the rare patterns equally effective as a dry, a wet fly, or even a small streamer, securing its place as a multi-purpose classic for generations.

Fish the Hornberg on a controlled drown by intentionally soaking the fly after a few drifts, then swinging it just under the surface with short, erratic twitches. As the wing pulses and flares, it creates the illusion of a panicked baitfish or struggling caddis—an action that triggers aggressive strikes long after trout have ignored traditional dries or nymphs.