Papa Roach

The Papa Roach is a South African stillwater classic, conceived by Herman Botes as a dedicated dragonfly nymph imitation for trout dams and lakes. Its proportions are deliberately exaggerated: oversized glass bead eyes anchor the head, a zonker strip forms the undulating abdomen, and a tent-style feather thorax cover gives the fly its unmistakable silhouette. Rubber legs complete the picture, pulsing on the drop and during the pause that so often triggers the take. Herman's prescribed method is a loop knot and a patient, slow retrieve — this is a fly built to be watched working, not burned through the water column. Now tied by Scientific Fly across a range of sizes, the Papa Roach remains one of the most consistently productive nymph patterns in South African stillwater fishing.

Sold Individually

Product Details

• Herman Botes original — a purpose-designed South African dragonfly nymph for stillwater trout
• Oversized glass bead eyes create the fly's signature large, weighted head
• Zonker strip abdomen delivers natural movement throughout the retrieve
• Tent-style feather thorax cover — the pattern's defining tying step
• Rubber legs pulse and trigger strikes on the pause
• Best fished on a loop knot with a slow retrieve or a static presentation near structure

Sizes

#4; #6; #8

Colours Available

Brown; Olive

Target Species

Primary: Rainbow and brown trout in dams and stillwaters.
Secondary: Smallmouth and largemouth bass.