Fly Fishers' Republic

Larry’s Dahlberg Diver

December 19, 2006

by Raif Killips

Larry’s Dahlberg Diver

Recipe:

Uses:

In appropriate sizes, the ‘Dahlberg Divers’ are effective for many saltwater species, including redfish, seatrout, striped bass, and tarpon; and fresh water species, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, pike, muskie, European chub, African tigerfish, and South American brown trout.

How to fish:

The Divers of which there are several, were developed to dive and swim when retrieved, and to resurface during any pause in the retrieve. The pattern works well fished to inshore saltwater marks, and if the fly is equipped with a weed guard, it works well fishing through and alongside weed beds and structure in freshwater venues. Works well fished with a sink tip or floating line, allowing you to fish the whole water column.

History

Larry Dahlberg developed the diver back in the late 1970s.

Variations:

Colour variations are too numerous to mention. A common variation is to replace the marabou and hackles with rabbit hide. If you are going to fish amongst structure or plan to tick bottom a lot then dressing the fly with a weed guard is a sensible way to go.

Further reading:

Hot Bass Flies Patterns & Tactics from the Experts, 2003, Deke Meyer, Frank Amato Publications, ISBN 1-57188-285-5 (softbound), ISBN 1-57188-286-3 (spiral hardbound).