Rainbow Warrior – Beadhead – Umpqua
The Rainbow Warrior was my first commercially available fly pattern. Its origins are a little sketchy. I’d love to tell you a fancy design story, but the truth is I bought some Wapsi rainbow sow scud dubbing because it looked fishy to me. I tied 4 flashy nymphs (Rainbow Warriors) using the Wapsi rainbow dubbing, along with pearl tinsel, red thread, pearl glass beads, and pheasant tail, and stuck them in one of my nymph boxes. There they sat, untested, dry, fishless… months passed… until one day on my local tailwater with fussy Trout, I encountered fish that I could see were actively feeding, but were not taking my go-to patterns with as much regularity as I was used to. I tried all my standard patterns and caught a fish here and there, but was not catching as many as normal, nor as much as I expected.
Design Details
| Component | Material |
|---|---|
| Dubbing | Wapsi rainbow sow scud dubbing |
| Accents | Pearl tinsel, red thread, pearl glass beads |
| Body | Pheasant tail |
FAQ
What is the origin of the Rainbow Warrior pattern?
The Rainbow Warrior pattern originated when the designer bought Wapsi rainbow sow scud dubbing because it looked fishy. He tied four flashy nymphs using that dubbing, along with pearl tinsel, red thread, pearl glass beads, and pheasant tail, and placed them in a nymph box. After months of sitting unused, it began to perform well in tailwater fishing with fussy trout.
Is the Rainbow Warrior suitable for trout fishing?
Yes, the Rainbow Warrior has proven effective in tailwater environments with fussy trout, especially when fish are actively feeding but not responding to standard patterns.
What materials are used in the construction of the Rainbow Warrior?
The pattern uses Wapsi rainbow sow scud dubbing, pearl tinsel, red thread, pearl glass beads, and pheasant tail for the body.
Katherine Duncan –
I’ve used the Rainbow Warrior in several tailwater trout streams and it’s been one of the most effective patterns I’ve tried. The flashy design catches the attention of fish that are otherwise uninterested. It’s especially good during early spring when trout are active but not responding to standard nymphs.
Donna Gill –
The pattern looks great and matches well with the natural environment. I tied it myself and found it to be a solid performer in slow-moving waters. It’s not a go-to for every situation, but it works well when trout are being selective.
Joe Springer –
After trying many nymphs, the Rainbow Warrior stood out. I caught several trout on it during a cold water run. The combination of colors and movement makes it stand out in the current.