Fly tiers and fishers alike know the name BMS—Muz Wilson’s Bullen Merri Special is a time-tested Aussie staple. Originally crafted to imitate the native Galaxiid Minnow and other small baitfish, this iconic fly has found its place in fly boxes across the country for good reason. Now, Fed offers his own riff on the classic, breathing fresh life into an already adaptable pattern.

Named after Lake Bullen Merri, a volcanic crater lake in Western Victoria, the original BMS mimics the endemic Galaxiid in olive or the Australian Smelt in white. It also doubles as an excellent whitebait imitation, which makes it deadly for sea-run trout in Tasmania.

Fed’s Variant: Precision and Subtle Innovation

Fed’s BMS retains the original’s intent and profile but refines a few key elements for a cleaner, tighter tie that emphasises movement and visual appeal in the water. The result is a fly that maintains its effectiveness while offering a sharper silhouette and slightly flashier finish.

On the Water

Whether you’re fishing the weedy margins of western lakes, casting into a tannin-stained estuary, or drifting this fly through a deep pool on a trout stream, Fed’s BMS earns its keep.

• In olive, it perfectly mimics the Galaxiid Minnow, a key food source in many inland lakes and streams.
• In white or tan, it becomes a realistic shrimp imitation—deadly for Bream, Estuary Perch, and Trout feeding on crustaceans in the margins.

With its red collar trigger point, natural dubbing, and reflective rib, it tempts both curious and pressured fish alike.

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Materials

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Tying Instructions

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