Variations on a Theme – Woolly Bugger
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.
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Rabbit Fly
Primarily tied as a general nymph pattern, the Rabbit Fly also makes a pretty good imitation of small dragonfly nymphs that emerge in huge numbers on many Australian lakes.
When it comes to tying flies for use on lakes, it pays to have as much built-in action as possible.
Black Tadpole
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.
Flashtail Whistler
Source: InTheRIffle.com
The Flashtail Whistler is a great fly for Pike, Peacock Bass and Largemouth Bass. It is a large profiled baitfish pattern that “whistles” when cast (due to the large bead chain eyes).
The Flashtail Whistler can also be used in saltwater applications for offshore species and jacks.
Cat’s Whisker
The Cat’s Whisker is one of the best, if not the best, when it comes to stillwater trout fishing. There are many variations but the original remains as effective today as it was decades ago when Bob Church popularised the pattern after being given a handful to try by its inventor David Train.
Zonker Fly
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.
Thunder Creek Minnow
Also known as the Thunder Creek Silver Shiner, the Thunder Creek Minnow is one of a large group of themed patterns that makes a robust and effective imitation of a small baitfish. The Thunder Creek range was devised by American Tyler Keith Fulsher to imitate a whole variety of fish species.
Polar Fibre Minnow
A great mid-size mid water fly – in sizes 1 to 6 and colours white over white, olive over white or tan and olive over shrimp.
Note these are great flies for all sorts of fishes – the white polar fibre goes fairly clear in the water and moves similar to the action of baitfish.