Mop fly

Mop fly

The Mop Fly has been described as one of the most sinful flies of all time – in terms of one of the easiest flies to tie as well as to fish. It is a very simple fly to tie and a very effective and productive fly for trout.

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The Claret Dabbler is the most versatile of the traditional loch-style flies. It was first developed in Ireland to imitate the very large mayflies that inhabit those world-famous fisheries, Lough Corrib and Lough Mask.  It is an effective dropper pattern for Tasmanian Lakes. Read More »

bully bluegill spider

The Bully Bluegill Spider is the creation of fly tier Terry Wilson. It was first introduced to the wider community in the 1999 book that Terry wrote with his wife, Roxanne, Bluegill Fly Fishing & Flies. According to the book, Terry accidentally hooked the rear end of a bull while casting a bass bug. Read More »

Bead Head Pheasant Tail Minnow

Materials

  • Hook: Size 8 3X Streamer hook (straight shank)
  • Bead: 7/64 Nickel
  • Thread: Black 14/0
  • Tail: Adoro soft black Make up brush
  • Body: Small yellow, red or green Antron chenille
  • Wing: Three long pheasant body feathers
Dry

Tying Instructions

Wet

Cover back two thirds of hook with thread, bring thread back to starting point. Read More »

Three Piece Wiggly Worm

The Three Piece Wiggly Worm Fly is an easy fly to tie and doesn’t take much time. If it is only a one-fish fly it isn’t such a big deal if a fish cuts any of the rubber with its teeth. Read More »

Bead Head CDC PTN

The Bead Head CDC PTN (proper full name Tungsten Bead Head CDC Flashback Pheasant Tail) was developed by Randall Kauffman. If tied with a tungsten bead, which is 2x heavier than lead, this fly can get down deep – and quickly at that! Read More »

The Wendouree Damsel

Wendouree Damsel

When damsel nymphs are migrating to hatch, this fly can be used on its own as an imitative pattern with a bit of fancy “look at me!” going on. The Wendouree Damsel also works well as an anchoring point fly with a team of traditional wet flies, soft hackles or nymphs.

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Squirrel and herl buggers

Squirrel and Herl Bugger
Squirrel and Herl Bugger

Everybody loves the Woolly Bugger, and a lot of streamer fishermen swear by patterns tied with zonker strips because of the great pulsating action these flies display in the water. So what if you combined the two and threw in some peacock herl for good measure?

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Tom Jones fly

A vintage Aussie pattern; hen rainbows have been known to throw their hotel room keys on stage when seen. A few changes to the original due to materials on hand – possum for black squirrel and rabbit for kangaroo in the wing.

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Source: The Fly-tying Bible, pp.110-11.

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.

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