Rainbow Warrior Jig – Tungsten – Umpqua (Barbless)
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.
Specifications
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Material | Tungsten |
| Design | Barbless Nymph Pattern |
| Brand | Umpqua |
| Weight | Not specified |
FAQ
What makes the Rainbow Warrior jig different from other nymph patterns?
The Rainbow Warrior jig features a unique design using Wapsi rainbow sow scud dubbing, pearl tinsel, red thread, pearl glass beads, and pheasant tail, giving it a flashy, natural appearance that appeals to fussy trout in tailwater environments.
Is the Rainbow Warrior jig suitable for use in tailwater streams?
Yes, it was originally tested and proven effective in tailwater streams with fussy trout, where it attracted feeding fish that were not responding to standard patterns.
Can this jig be used for species other than trout?
Please contact customer service
Gavin Mitchell –
This jig worked well in my local tailwater. The flashy design caught trout that were otherwise ignoring my usual patterns. I used it during a cold, clear stretch and saw consistent bites. It’s a solid addition to my nymph box.
Jennifer McGrath –
I tried it in a slow-moving stream and noticed trout were more active when I presented the Rainbow Warrior. The barbless design made it easy to retrieve without snagging. A bit flashy, but effective.
Anna Rees –
After months of not catching much, I switched to this pattern and started getting consistent strikes. The combination of dubbing and tinsel really stands out in the water. Highly recommend for fussy trout.