A classic caddis pattern used the world over. Simply substitute the body and wing colour to suit; the tying principals remain the same. It floats very well and is even very good skated across and down to rising fish slashing the naturals from the surface late in the day.
In lakes and slower moving rivers, the larvae of the chironomid midge make a large part of the trout’s diet. They vary in colour from pale green and brown to a bright blood red.
These red larvae, known by anglers as bloodworm, live the bulk of their lives in silt tubes, but when disturbed or migrating can move by a sinuous lashing motion.
Recommended flies: Vince’s Loud Mouth Popper, JOS Gurgler, Vince’s Diving Gurgler, Bass Vampire, Clouser Deep minnow.
Target fish: bass, bream, mullet
I think 2 surface flies, 2 flies for just under the surface or a few feet down and 2 deeper diving flies would be more than adequate.
One of a large group of themed patterns, the Thunder Creek Silver Shiner makes a robust and effective imitation of a small baitfish. Although it looks simple, it is not that easy to tie because getting the hair the right length and keeping the two colours separate takes a reasonable level of tying skill.
Materials
- Hook: Size 4 2x shank.
- Thread: Tan/fawn, orange, pink. Your choice to suit Craft fur colour.
- Body: Craft fur body. Colour tan/fawn, orange, pink ( I also used some bucktail).
- Dumbell weight and maybe some lead wire as well.
- Eyes: Burnt mono or fine bead on mono.
Although called a gnat, this is actually a great all-purpose dry fly, effective either on rivers or lakes. It works best in smaller sizes where it suggest all sorts of small creatures trapped in the surface film. It also makes a very good representation of small chironomid midges in a mating ball.
In its basic grey and silver form, the Zonker makes a fine representation of a range of baitfish species. However, it may be tied in a wide range of colours from black, white and orange to purple, the latter being very effective for various species of pacific salmon.
With the basic profile of a caseless caddis larva, the Czech Nymph is extremely effective when trout and greyling are feeding hard on the riverbed.
Developed by Czech anglers, the combination of heavy hook and lead underbelly ensures that the pattern sinks extremely quickly, making it ideal for fishing in deep or fast-moving water.
The Shuttlecock buzzer is a great emerger pattern for fishing on the top to rising fish.
Created by Sid Knight, it was designed for use in dams, reservoirs and stillwater fishing. Cast this fly to feed channels and drift on still waters.
The Flipper fly was first tied in South Africa and is effectively a top-water fly or a popper. It imitates a wounded baitfish struggling on the surface. It is often used as an attractor with a smaller fritz or small clouser minnow fly behind it.