Overview

The Sunny Side Up was designed by Umpqua signature tyer Hans Mylant to act as an anchor fly on a Euro rig. Mylant set out to make a jig bomb round, and he secures the bead to the top of the hook shank with a technique he calls posting the bead.

That posted bead keeps the fly riding hook point up and puts the weight where it won't crowd the hook gap, so you get an anchor that sinks the rig and still hooks well. Eggs are a high-calorie food trout key on around spawning time, and a bright egg works as an attractor all year. It is just as useful as the lead fly on an indicator rig, where it can replace split shot.

Euro Specs

• Bead size by hook size: Umpqua makes 18 in both 3.0mm and 3.5mm and 20 in 2.5mm.
• Hook: Rides hook point up.
• Role: Anchor/point fly.

How to Fish It

• Euro anchor: run it as the point fly with a nymph or midge above it.
• Indicator rig: use it as the lead fly instead of split shot.
• Spawning seasons: fish it below spawning trout in spring and fall, and in rivers with salmon runs.
• Tailwaters: small eggs are a staple on many tailwaters year-round.

Choosing Color and Size

Cheese and Sunburst are natural egg colors. Pink and Fl. Orange are bright attractor eggs for stained water and pressured fish. Chartreuse is the most visible choice in murky water.

All colors are size 18, a small egg that suits clear water and wary trout.