Eppinger Devle Fly

The Eppinger Devle Fly stands as a classic trolling rig, designed as a hybrid that merges the flash of a spinner with the profile of a fly. Manufactured by the Lou J. Eppinger Mfg. Co. in Dearborn, Michigan, this particular lure has been out of production for many years. Its anatomy consists of a metal blade rotating freely on a central axis, paired with a hook dressed in a bright deer hair bucktail.

This specialized gear was developed specifically for deep-water trolling applications. It is most effective when pursuing lake trout and various salmonids, typically rigged behind a downrigger diver or a flasher. The blade’s primary function is to emit active flashes and vibrations to draw attention, while the trailing bucktail fly mimics the erratic movement of small forage fish.

A notable technical feature of the Devle Fly is its balanced construction. This design ensures the rig remains stable during long-distance towing, effectively preventing the line from tangling or twisting, which is a common challenge when trolling at depth for extended periods.