Dark side

This is a variation of my very successful articulated swimmer and is a great fly when targeting barra in Lake Awoonga and other barra impoundments on those quiet days when the barramundi are sulking and you need a fly that is going to be in their face for a relatively long time but still active.

I only tie my articulated slow roller in two colours.

• Qantas colours is my favourite and this fly and its cousin the articulated swimmer, dressed in Qantas colours, have accounted for species from barra to bream with heaps of other species in between.
• Brown bomber inspired colours are also a good option for this fly. I think barra take this fly mistaking it for a juvenile catfish but if big catfish are about they will grab it also.

Tied on a #3/0 hook this fly is 12cm long.

I fish this fly on a #10 weight outfit with a 30lb Maxima Ultra Green leader of about rod length.

Depending on the water depth this fly can be fished on a floating or fast sink lines but my preference is to stick with a clear intermediate line with a rod length leader and a slow twitchy retrieve with various length pauses.

The only other colour combination I tie is my brown bomber inspired version which is a great option for dull days and dusk and dawn.

Follow this link for tying instructions.