Wingman – Riffling Hitch Fly
It’s here.
Back in February 2026, we introduced the Wingman concept in the Fishmadman Newsletter and promised that the fly would eventually become available.
Now it is.
The Wingman – Balance. Lift. Flow.
Wingman was never designed to be just another hitch fly. It started as an idea about balance, lift and flow. About understanding how small adjustments in wing length, profile and hitch angle affect the way a fly behaves on the surface.
Since then, many of you have asked when the fly would become available.
The answer is now.
Wingman is finally ready for your next salmon season.
If you missed the original introduction, you can read the February 2026 newsletter here:
https://www.fishmadman.com/newsletter/fishmadman-newsletter-february-2026
You can also dive deeper into the story and philosophy behind the fly on the Fishmadman blog:
https://www.fishmadman.com/archives/24604
Why Wingman?
In aviation, the wingman is the pilot flying alongside the lead aircraft, maintaining formation and keeping everything balanced when conditions become challenging.
That idea became the foundation for this fly.
Wingman is built to hold position.
To maintain angle.
To create a clean and controlled surface track.
Balance. Lift. Flow.
Specifications
- Length: approximately 1.2 cm
- Fishmadman 3.2 mm Riffling Hitch Tube
- Designed for Atlantic salmon and sea trout – but also pacific salmon (pink salmon) that like this fly
- Hand tied by Fishmadman
Fly is shown with hook – but sold without one!
Depending on your preference, the rules of the riverkeeper or water association you would
choose hooks suited for the river your fishing. To the left, you can see our suggestions on hooks – but we have many more hooks in our hook-category
Balance. Lift. Flow.
A riffling hitch fly is a miniature surface craft.
Every millimetre matters.
The angle of the hitch hole.
The stiffness of the wing.
The relationship between lift and drag.
The way the fly settles into the surface film.
Wingman was developed around these details.
Not to create the biggest wake.
Not to create the most disturbance.
But to create control.
Because control creates consistency.
And consistency catches fish.
The other Wingman fly
The other riffling hitch tube flies
The riffling hitch tube fly system – In detail
Delicate micro flies perfected to trail in the surface
All Fishmadman hitch tube flies is based on the same clever system that will enable you to fish with different hooks.
The line is entered through a hole in the belly or side of the fly – This will make the fly pull to the surface and wake. Due to the design of the tube system, the fly will hitch with ease even in slack water – We use fine hair from small squirrel as this has proven to be unrivaled material for these subtle micro wake flies.
Technical details
Probably the best hitch tubing – ever made…
We think we have the right to brag… when we say the best tubing ever made. All other tubing found in fly tying shops could not live up to our expectations. Together with a chemical engineer, we developed a new PVC-free plastic formula for the solemn purpose of producing a tube for riffling hitch.
- It will withstand a lot of mechanical wear
- Very low memory – This will ensure that the tube fall back into place after use (hook removed)
- Will work in a wide range of temperatures including frost cold days.
This is the same tube we use for our wake flies and other bigger tube flies. See the tube in our shop
Squirrel tail in the right size
We use hair from very small or juvenile squirrels – This type of fine hair is not too stiff – nor too fine…but just perfect for these subtle surface flies.
Learn more about squirrel tails for fly tying
More on the subject riffling hitch...
Our exclusive page on riffling hitch fishing and flies
Our main pages on the riffling hitch sport – Read more about the riffling hitch pattern history and styling – A dedicated page on Fishmadman.com
Read more on Fishmadman.comRiffling hitch know-how…
Know how page on riffling hitch – See how to fish with them
Read more on Fishmadman.com.















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