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Whilst there are over 5000 different species of aquatic bugs Australia only two are of significance to the fly fisherman.
The family Corixidae or Water Boatman come in a variety of shapes but all generally consist of a body between 5 and 10 mm in length. They have two sets of wings with the font wings presenting almost as legs and the rear wings often trailing behind almost as rudders and the body is a relatively flat beetle shape (3 :1). The insect is a free swimming but seldom moves far from cover. They inhabit sluggish streams and still water and they are generally dark in colour. They are air breathers and swim to the surface from time to time and trap an air bubble which they hold under their abdomen.

The second aquatic bug of interest to fly fishers is the Back-swimmers or the family Notonectidae. Their general shape and habits are similar to the Corixidae family and they are not generally distinguished between when it comes to representing them with an artificial fly. Having said that they are a little slimmer and their colours are a little more varied ranging from shades of olive, through to dark khaki and brown.

Given the similarity of form and function both of these aquatic bugs can be represented by the following fly. This fly is best fished on a floating line that has been greased to within a meter of the fly or under a dry fly. It generally works well just sinking in the water column or moving naturally with the water current. If unnoticed try a couple of short figure of eight strips punctuated by a long pause to represent the natural swimming action of both bugs or a gentle lift to mimic "the natural" rising to the surface to breath.

Materials

Process

A	Wind the cotton in touching turns to the bend of the hook. The reason for the cotton is that even thicker fly tying thread will sometimes cut the scud back. Understanding hooks Tie in a length of scud back on the top of the hook but just slightly round the bend. Tie and a length of Z-lon or antron dubbing just in front of the tie in of the scud back.n the bottom of the hook.

B	Then tie in two peacock herl.

C	Wind the peacock herl around the cotton forming a rope and whilst holding the scud back and Z-lon or antron dubbing out of the way wind the hear rope first one wrap behind the Z-lon or antron dubbing and then forward 2/3 of the way along the hook shank to form the body. Roping peacock herl Pull the Z-lon or antron dubbing forward under the hook to form the air sack, tie it off in front of the body and trim the excess.

D	Tie the herl off and trim the excess. Pull the scud back forward on top of the body to form the back, tie it off in front of the body and trim the excess. Now that the scud back is in place swap from the cotton to the 6/0 fly tying thread.

E	Tie a biot in on each side of the fly in front of the body with the tip extending to the side and slightly backwards as the wings. Tie in two peacock herl in front of the wings.

F	Wrap the herls around the thread to form a herl rope and take just one or two wraps of the herl rope to form the head. Tie the herl off and trim the excess. Whip finish and varnish the thread. Making a thread head

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