Crackleback, Brown

The Brown Crackleback imitates a wide range of aquatic insects in both dry and wet conditions—caddisflies, mayflies, or even beetles—depending on how it's fished. The hackled body provides a buggy appearance and floatation, while the peacock herl back adds flash and contrast.

History:
Invented by Ed Story in Missouri in the mid-1900s, the Crackleback is a versatile pattern that can be fished dry, swung, or stripped like a wet fly. The brown variant emphasizes earth-tone insect imitation and remains popular in Ozark spring creeks and beyond.