The zonker – invented American fly fisher Dan Byford- a minnow-shaped imitation of a small baitfish. Today it is one of the classic patterns used by fly fishermen to imitate small baitfish.
Back in the 1970s, when the zonker was first publicised, this fly was new. Read More »
Original fly was designed by Simon Young in the Tom Lolli Book Fly Patterns by Fishing Guides.
This fly came about after Simon read an article in an American magazine about anglers spinning for bonefish. It occurred to him that a very bright fly version of the proven Crazy Charlie could be tried. Read More »
Distant club members Gretchen and Al Beatty have given us permission to use their pictures and information for this month’s fly from their book How to tie LaFontaine’s Legacy Fly Patterns. There is also a video series of LaFontaine’s Legacy Fly Patterns. Read More »
Lefty Kreh, one the most recognised fly fishermen in the world, created the original Lefty’s Deceiver back in the late 50´s to fish saltwater. He was looking for a streamer that would be easy to cast and would not wrap around the bend of the hook. Read More »
The Micro Crayfish is is very versatile in the way you can fish it. It can be fished like a nymph, but also like a crayfish streamer as well. You could float it under an indicator, or put it on as the sole fly, and site cast to fish. Read More »
Bob Popovics’ Surf Candy is the epoxy streamer fly that started a revolution in modern fly patterns for saltwater gamefish. This tough epoxy streamer tied with synthetic materials is a perfect imitation of small, slender baitfish like silversides, sand eels, and small anchovies.
Properly spinning and shave-shaping deer hair is one of the most challenging in fly tying, but the fish attracting successes of patterns utilising it make it an imperative to learn “how”.
Patterns using the spun deer hair technique are generally large and also fairly involved, which tends to intimidate many tyers.
The Woolly Bugger is a very versatile pattern that will catch fish on virtually any lake or river. It can be tied in a variety of colour combinations, usually natural ones such at black, brown and olive.
Designed by Terry Griffiths and Peter Gathercole in the 1960s, the Tadpole takes the use of turkey marabou for highly mobile wings and tails to it’s logical conclusion. The Tadpole’s tail is highly mobile and much longer than its body, giving it plenty of movement in still water.