Mallards Tanked Trico

Invented by legendary fly tier Bob Mallard, Mallard's Tanked Trico introduces a game-changing twist to traditional, challenging Tricorythodes mayfly hatches. While standard patterns are easily overlooked when the water is carpeted with insects, this fly features fine silver ribbing. This slight flash adds just enough realistic underwater shimmer to mimic a trapped gas bubble, turning a routine drift into an instinctual strike.

This highly versatile micro-pattern performs perfectly whether dead-drifted deep as a nymph, fished in the surface film as an emerger, or dropped beneath a high-visibility attractor dry fly. Tied with an exact profile to match delicate, slow-swimming natural nymphs, it is a proven necessity for technical tailwaters. Add this premium staple to your fly box and fish one of fly fishing's most demanding hatches with absolute confidence.

 

On famed Wyoming tailwaters like the Grey Reef section of the North Platte River, late summer mornings bring massive, reliable Trico spinner falls. Because our high-altitude sun hits the water quickly, fish become hyper-selective in the clear, low flows. When trout refuse dry flies on the surface, fish a Tanked Trico as a drowned nymph. Rig it 12 to 18 inches below a buoyant foam hopper or attractor dry fly using a thin, supple fluorocarbon leader. High-stick your rod over the slick currents to achieve a perfectly seamless, drag-free dead drift.