Mamba Black Rufus TBT

This week’s Throw Back Thursday Fly is a Mamba Black Rufus TBT.

The Mamba Black Rufus TBT is a local fly pattern developed by Bob Gaviglio of Sunriver Fly Shop in Sunriver, OR.

There is a series of Rufus flies, including the CJ Rufus, Brown Leech Rufus, Mamba Burnt Orange Rufus, and a Brookie Rufus to name a few. I’m guessing the CJ Rufus was named for someone who wanted a little different color and hammered some fish…just a guess, but I really don’t know.

Tied originally in the early 1990’s, the Rufus was developed for the Lower Deschutes River, OR.

Bob recommends this fly as a searcher pattern, when no visible hatch can be seen.

To fish the Rufus, use a start and stop retrieve. As the fly stops, the bead makes it dive head first and imitates a leech, dragonfly nymph or baitfish trying to escape.

Don’t limit fishing the Mamba Black Rufus TBT to lakes only. Give it a try for river rainbows and steelhead in clear water. In fact, it works in most Central Oregon waters.

Enjoy…go fish!