Julian Tapping

What Imitates What – Episode 1: Introduction and Mayflies

Format: Video
Posted on: August 1, 2023 September 4, 2023
Author: Julian Tapping
Categories: Fly Tying, What Imitates What
Tags: fly tying, What Imitates What

“What Imitates What” is multi-part presentation by Sydney Flyrodders’ Dave Wilson on fly tying and fly selection, the food that fish eat and the flies they represent.

Episode one includes an introduction and a discussion on mayflies.

Topics are broken up into the following fishy food groups:

Mayflies
Baitfish
Caddis
Dobsons & Hellgrammites
Terrestrials
Stoneflies
Eggs
Lures & Attractors
Damsels & Dragons
Snails
Midges
Saltwater (baitfish, prawns, crabs, squid)

Makflies Organza Cormorant

Fedeles Variant

Posted on: July 5, 2023 July 5, 2023
Author: Julian Tapping
Categories: Fly of the Month, The Fly Box
Tags: freshwater fly, still water

The Organza Cormorant, originally created by Mak of Makflies, is great pattern for still water. It can be made in many different colours. Here Paul Fedeles ties his variant. Full instructional video can be found below.

Materials

Hook – Size 10
Thread – Black
Body – Organza ribbon – pink, gold, and yellow.

Orange Bead Magoo

Posted on: July 4, 2023 June 8, 2024
Author: Julian Tapping
Categories: Fly of the Month, The Fly Box
Tags: freshwater fly, streamers, trout flies, wet fly

The Orange Bead Magoo is a very easy fly to tie. The Magoo is mainly a pulling fly but is extremely versatile.

Vern Barby, of the Victorian Fly-Fisher’s Association, writes of his Magoo:

“The Magoo is probably my signature fly. Read More »

Wendouree Cruncher

with variations

Posted on: June 3, 2023 June 8, 2024
Author: Julian Tapping
Categories: Fly of the Month, The Fly Box
Tags: freshwater fly, streamers, wet fly

“Over the years, I’ve played around with different colour combinations and claret with yellow has proved particularly effective on Lake Wendouree, just around the corner from my Ballarat home. Hence the Wendouree Cruncher’s name: it’s proved particularly useful in a pulling team on this lake. Read More »

Muz Wilson’s BMS Hammerhead – Fedeles Variant

Posted on: June 3, 2023 June 8, 2024
Author: Julian Tapping
Categories: Fly of the Month, The Fly Box
Tags: minnows, Muz Wilzon, saltwater flies

Special note to BWS Flies for suggesting the Hammerhead Fly for saltwater bream.

The BMS Hammerhead was created by professional fly tyer Murray Wilson as an imitation for the minnow in Lake Bullen Merri. This fly in most colour variations is a superb estuary pattern, particularly for bream and EPs. Read More »

Fat Angie

Posted on: May 25, 2023 June 8, 2024
Author: Julian Tapping
Categories: Fly of the Month, The Fly Box
Tags: dry flies, terrestrials, trout flies

Created by Charlie Craven, the Fat Angie began as a much more realistic and singular imitation of a flying ant. However, it has morphed into a far more general attractor pattern that lends itself well to a variety of insect types. Read More »

Soft Hackle Black and Peacock Spider Variation

Posted on: May 7, 2023 May 7, 2023
Author: Julian Tapping
Categories: Fly of the Month, The Fly Box
Tags: freshwater, nymphs, wet fly

A really versatile wet fly that fishes well on both lakes and rivers. Tying a Black and Peacock Spider is quick and easy. When fishing gets tough, this fly fishes well as a nymph on the lake for rising fish or when they are high in the water. Read More »

Orange Beadhead Red Tag

The Orange Beadhead Red Tag is a fly Paul has had great success in the past. It works great for trout in a lake setting when fished up against a bank or near weed beds. Paul has had great success with the Pheasant Tail Nymph with centipede legs at Dunmore, using the BH Red tag as the point fly with the PTN as the dropper. Read More »

Gartside Gurgler Variant

Inspired by Brett Clarke from BWS Flies Tied by Paul Fedeles

Posted on: April 12, 2023 June 8, 2024
Author: Julian Tapping
Categories: Fly of the Month, The Fly Box
Tags: bass flies, freshwater fly, gurglers

The Gartside Gurgler is a well-known fly pattern for bass and saltwater fish. The materials were my selection but the use of rubber legs came from Brett Clarke. Easy to tie, using the “Seven P’s” it should take about ten minutes to tie. Read More »

Paul’s Brush Leg Hopper

Posted on: April 9, 2023 June 8, 2024
Author: Julian Tapping
Categories: Fly of the Month, The Fly Box
Tags: bass flies, freshwater

The Brush Leg Hopper is a trout stream fly. Paul uses this fly in fast moving rough water. It is meant to be messy.

The brush legs will break the meniscus of the water and the fly will tumble. The legs, shown below, are made from the plastic fibres of a bench tool brush. Read More »