A family-oriented fly-fishing club covering the Port Macquarie Hastings region, NSW.
A family-oriented fly-fishing club covering the Port Macquarie Hastings region, NSW.
Welcome to our “Fly of the Month” feature, where we highlight a different fly pattern (or patterns) each month to enhance your fly fishing experience.
Whether you’re a seasoned angler or just starting out, our monthly spotlight will provide you with essential information, including detailed tying instructions, tips on when and where to use it, and the best techniques for maximising its effectiveness.
Join us on this journey as we explore the art and science of fly fishing, one fly at a time!
Gartside Gurgler
The Gurgler Fly Pattern is a floating fly that spits and “gurgles” when stripped, and is designed to imitate everything from shrimp to baitfish and a frog for bass.
Invented by the late Jack Gartside, the Gurger is a simple and very effective fly to tie, and the tying technique has even been incorporated into mouse flies for trout.[...]
Hare and Copper Nymph
Probably NZ’s most popular nymph and the first nymph most beginner tiers will tackle. The Hare and Copper Nymph catches fish throughout the country in a variety of waters. The guard hairs used in the mix represent legs and give the fly that buggy look that’s very effective.[...]
See also Shrimp Fly
The Squimp Fly is very simple to tie, but lethal for countless flats species.
The Squimp Fly very closely imitates a small shrimp, which is the main forage for any bonefish. It also works for other saltwater flats fishes.[...]
Your basic Woolly Bugger in black.
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.[...]
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.[...]
A fly designed by Rod Fox, of Hunter Valley Fly Fishing Club, appropriately named Foxy’s Horror. Great bass fly for rivers.
Foam for the body (the yellow for visibility), zonker strip for the tail and cactus chenille for the underbelly.[...]
Source: The Fly Tyers Bible, p. 96-97
This pattern is a variation of the classic Pheasant Tail Nymph. It’s body, tail and rib are the same as the original, but the thorax of this pattern includes a few strands of pearl Lurex laid over the peacock herl.[...]
Tying instructions: Diptera.co.uk,
The Fly Tyers Bible, pp. 36-37
Throughout Australia the Red Tag is excellent fished to surface feeding trout in rivers or still water (it is also a must-have for herring!). The fly is a half imitator and half attractor; the red tag, the peacock herl and to some extent the brown hackle attracting the fish.[...]
Source: The Fly Tyers Bible, p.188-89.
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.[...]