Mayfly Cripple Callibaetis

The Mayfly Cripple Callibaetis imitates a crippled or stuck emerger of the Callibaetis mayfly—commonly found in lakes and stillwaters. Its trailing shuck and splayed wing imitate an insect unable to fully emerge, a stage often targeted by trout.

History:
Cripple patterns became popular in the late 20th century, especially on technical stillwaters. This variation was designed to match Callibaetis hatches in Western lakes and has become a go-to during slow emergences or windy conditions when duns struggle to take off.