When All Else Fails Fly

About the When All Else Fails Trout Fly

This version of When All Else Fails is the no-nonsense stalking pattern you reach for when trout are cruising, refusing, or simply won’t commit to more "obvious" flies. Built around a tightly wound lead-wire body and finished with a tuft of white deer hair, it offers a compact, high-contrast target that sinks quickly and sits convincingly in the taking zone—perfect for close-range, sight-fishing situations on stillwaters.

The fly’s key characteristics stand out clearly: a ribbed, dark lead body for rapid descent and a bright white deer-hair tuft that pushes a little water and creates a clean visual trigger. That white "button" effect is exactly what makes W.A.E.F. so reliable when fished to individual fish—easy for you to track, and hard for trout to ignore.

Fishing Tips:

Why the W.A.E.F. works

• Fast-sinking lead body gets down promptly and stays there, even in a breeze.
• White deer-hair tuft adds a bold trigger point and subtle movement without bulk.
• Compact stalking profile ideal for presenting ahead of cruising fish and letting it drop naturally.

How to fish the W.A.E.F.

• Stalking / sight fishing: Cast well ahead of a moving trout and let it sink on a slack line so it drops naturally.
• If the fish follows but won’t take, try a tiny twitch or short draw to make the deer hair pulse.
• Excellent on a floating line with a long leader, or an intermediate if you need extra depth control on breezy days.

Creator of this trout fly: Bill Sibbons

Tier of this trout fly: Tony Hern

Country of origin for this trout fly: England

This trout fly is designed to be fished on Still Water

Pattern Dressings

• Hook : 12-16.
• Silk : Olive.
• Body : Lead wire wound tightly, 0.80 mm.
• Hackle : Tuft of white deer hair.
• Head : Built up with tying silk to quite a substantial size.

B175.