H & L Variant

The H & L Variant is a classic attractor dry fly pattern that combines high visibility, excellent floatation, and proven fish-catching performance. Originally designed by Rube Cross in the Catskills, the Humpy & Light (H & L) Variant has since become a staple in fly boxes across North America. Its unique construction—featuring a white calf tail wing and tail, a heavily hackled thorax, and a pale yellow body—gives it a bushy, buoyant profile ideal for fast water and choppy surface conditions.

This pattern is not a direct imitation of a specific insect but rather a versatile attractor that resembles a variety of mayflies, caddisflies, and even terrestrial insects depending on conditions. The high-floating nature and stark color contrast of the calf tail wing make it easy to spot in broken water, making it a favorite for freestone rivers and mountain streams.

Fish the H & L Variant with a dead-drift presentation in riffles, pocket water, and runs. It’s also highly effective as the lead fly in a dry-dropper rig when prospecting for opportunistic trout in unfamiliar water. Its ability to stay afloat in turbulent conditions makes it a reliable choice for high-flow or fast-drifting environments where visibility and floatation are crucial.