FABS and how to fish them.

Fishing a FAB (Foam-Arsed Blob) is a highly effective method for targeting stillwater trout, particularly using the popular “washing line” technique. It acts as a buoyant attractor fly that suspends smaller nymphs or buzzers beneath it, or draws in fish when fished on its own. [1, 2, 3, 4]

Key Techniques for Fishing FABs

• The Washing Line Rig: The most common method. Place your FAB on the point (the very end of your leader) to act as an anchor, and tie smaller flies (like buzzers or nymphs) on the droppers above it. The buoyancy of the FAB keeps the flies up in the water column and suspends them near the surface or at a specific depth.
• The “Slow-Hand” or Static Retrieve: When trout are lethargic, do not yank the fly at high speeds. Cast out, let the line sink to your desired depth, and retrieve with a very slow figure-of-eight or let it sit almost completely static.
• The Hang: Always finish your retrieve by slowly raising the rod tip to bring the flies to a pause. Holding the flies static at the end of the retrieve often triggers explosive takes from fish that have been following the fly. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

Tackle and Setup Considerations

• Leader Length: Use a long leader, typically ranging from 14 to 16 feet.
• Fly Lines: While a floating line is commonly used, FABs can be incredibly deadly on sink-tip or intermediate lines. The dense line sinks down, but the buoyant FAB holds just above the bottom-feeding trout.
• Hook Choice: Always tie or purchase FABs on wide-gate, heavy-wire barbless hooks. This ensures the bulky fritz material does not obscure the hook point when a fish takes the fly.