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Glossary
fly

Chubby Chernobyl

A buoyant foam-bodied attractor with rubber legs and a high-vis post. Imitates a hopper, salmonfly, golden stone, or "general big bug" — and floats a heavy nymph below it.

Also calledChubby · Chubby Chernobyls

The Chubby Chernobyl is the modern Western workhorse for big-fly fishing. Foam keeps it floating high; rubber legs add motion that triggers strikes; the wing post makes it visible at distance. Tan, purple, gold, or chartreuse cover most water and most light.

Most often used as the indicator fly in a hopper-dropper rig — the foam easily supports a heavy nymph 20+ inches below. Fish it tight to banks and undercut structure during summer.