Carey Special

Carey Special

The Carey Special is a classic wet fly with roots dating back to the 1920s, and it remains one of the most effective stillwater and slow-river patterns ever tied. Originally developed in British Columbia, it earned a devoted following among lake anglers for its ability to imitate a wide range of aquatic life — dragonfly nymphs, damselfly nymphs, leeches, and small baitfish — all in a single, versatile pattern. The long, flowing pheasant tail hackle is the key to its effectiveness, pulsing and breathing with every movement of the retrieve to create an irresistible, lifelike action that trout find impossible to ignore.

Pattern Details

• Style: Classic wet fly / stillwater attractor
• Hackle: Pheasant tail — long, flowing fibers that pulse and breathe with lifelike movement on the retrieve
• Imitates: Dragonfly nymphs, damselfly nymphs, leeches, and small baitfish
• Colors available: Natural, Red
• Best water: Lakes, reservoirs, and slow-moving rivers — fished through the water column at varying depths
• Target species: Trout
• Techniques: Stripped through the water column with a slow, steady retrieve; also effective on a slow swing in rivers or dead-drifted and then retrieved through stillwater structure
• Sizes available: 12, 14

A century-old pattern that still outfishes modern flies on stillwaters — the Carey Special’s flowing hackle and versatile profile make it one of the most reliable wet flies you can carry for lake and reservoir trout.