Hellgrammites are the aquatic larvae of dobsonflies, prehistoric-looking insects with wicked mandibles and enormous wings. These larvae live in the rocky bottoms of clean, fast-moving rivers, making the Shenandoah an ideal home. They’re a prized natural food source for smallmouth bass, catfish, and even larger sunfish. In short, hellgrammites are river gold.
During summer, these larvae are especially active and abundant. Many years ago I experimented with different hellgrammite patterns that didn’t perform the way I thought they should. After trial and error, the Murray’s Hellgrammite was the final product. This is a favorite among many anglers who are looking to tie their own or just stop by the fly shop to stock their fly box.
Fly Fishing with Hellgrammites
Early morning and late afternoon are prime time on the Shenandoah River. As the summer sun climbs, bass retreat to cooler, deeper pockets—often under ledges or shaded banks. That’s where you want to be tossing your Murray’s Hellgrammite.
Use a Murray’s Bright Butt 9ft 2X leader and if needed, add a split shot a foot above the fly to get it down fast.
Dobsonfly Eggs Overhead
While you’re casting toward those shaded banks, take a look at the undersides of overhanging leaves. You might spot curious white patches—tiny clusters of dobsonfly eggs. These egg masses resemble bird droppings. Female dobsonflies deposit them on tree leaves and branches hanging over water, ensuring that when they hatch, the larvae drop straight into their aquatic home.
Spotting these egg clusters is more than just a cool naturalist moment—it’s a clue. Where there are eggs now, there will be hellgrammites later. And where there are hellgrammites, hungry fish are rarely far behind.
Murray’s Fly Shop Hellgrammite Fly Assortment includes 9 hellgrammite patterns in sizes 6 & 8 in a convenient fly box.
