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The Jack Daniels Jig

Regular price £2.05
Barbless Flies

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The Jack Daniels Jig


The Jack Daniels - Cory Cudje's Confidence Fly

When American guide Cory Cudje (Old Dominion Trout Bum) needs a fly that works on clear water, sunny days, and pressured streams, he reaches for The Jack Daniels. This is the pattern that earned its name on a 21-inch brown trout on Pennsylvania's Little J - a proper "whiskey" fish in Troutbitten terms.

Why The Jack Daniels works:

This is the thinking angler's nymph. No flash. No gaudy hot spots. Just a fast-sinking, buggy pattern that could represent a mayfly, caddis, or small stonefly depending on what the trout are keying on that day.

It combines the best of both worlds: the rapid sink rate of a perdigon with the lifelike movement of a soft hackle. The sparse CDC collar gives it subtle movement in the drift, while the dark, generic profile won't spook selective fish in gin-clear conditions.

Perfect for UK conditions

While Cory designed this for American tailwaters, we reckon it's going to be an absolute weapon on British rivers and stillwaters:

  • Clear limestone streams when trout are being fussy
  • Pressured southern chalkstreams where fish have seen it all
  • Autumn grayling that turn their noses up at everything else
  • Stillwater nymphing when you need something subtle with movement

How to fish it

The Jack Daniels shines on a Euro nymphing rig in sizes 12-18. Use it as your point fly for maximum depth, or on a dropper above a lighter pattern. The copper bead gets it down fast, while the CDC keeps it looking alive in the drift.

Cory's confidence is simple: when clear water gets tricky, this is what he ties on.

Size Guide Note:

  • Size 12: Heavier water, larger trout, stonefly imitation
  • Size 14-16: All-round workhorses for UK conditions
  • Size 18: Ultra-selective fish, small Olive imitation

The recipe

  • Hook: Jig hook
  • Bead: Tungsten (Copper coloured - size-matched)
    • Bead Sizes:
      • Size 12 - 3.4mm
      • Size 14 - 3.0mm
      • Size 16 - 2.8mm
      • Size 18 - 2.6mm
  • Body: Spectra dubbing #46 (Peacock Green - appears black in water)
  • Collar: Sparse CdC in Dark Grey
  • Tail: Coq De Leon Dark Pardo
  • Thorax: Black marker detail
  • Finish: UV resin

Tied exactly to Cory Cudje's original pattern - and approved by the man himself!

Sizes available: 12, 14, 16 & 18

Our Take: This is what a modern confidence fly should be - subtle, versatile, and proven on proper fish. If it works on educated American browns, it'll work on yours.

These flies are only available individually in sizes 12, 14, 16 & 18. Just click on "add to cart" and then adjust the quantity in your cart.

The Jack Daniels Jig

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