Water Floatman

The Water Floatman, created by Phil Rowley, exemplifies his mastery of stillwater fly patterns. This innovative fly was crafted to imitate the buoyant and highly mobile water boatman, a common aquatic insect found in lakes and ponds. Rowley’s design incorporates foam for buoyancy and natural fibers to replicate the insect’s lifelike shimmer and movement. The Water Floatman’s versatility makes it effective in a wide range of conditions, particularly during the late season when trout key in on water boatmen skimming or diving through the water’s surface.

Double-Dip Strategy: Cast the Water Floatman into open pockets of vegetation, let it float momentarily, then give a sharp upward rod twitch to simulate a water boatman diving. Allow it to float back to the surface before repeating—this mimics the insect’s behavior of collecting air.