Flies

Bandit

If bass are not actively feeding they will generally sit deep and either in or close to structure and out of reach of dry flies and you'll find it easier to target them with a seductive wet fly fished deep and slow. When their active its a whole different story and they will be attracted to almost any surface disturbance.

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Craig’s nightime

This fly has been adopted by many Australian fly fishers as their favorite night time fly when the mudeye are hatching. Whilst the original version uses Pukeko feathers most in Australia use swamp hen breast feathers . . .obviously road kill as the bird is protected.

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Possum emerger

There are plenty of possum emergers out there. Generally they have a nymph like body and then either a brush type wing or a bud type wing. I like brush type wing emergers better as dense wing traps more air and consequently they float better. The little thorax of seals fur is also good because it sheds water with a flick of the fly.

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Foam flying ant / termite

The biggest problem with many termite and ant flies is that because you only use and only need two wraps of hackle to represent the legs they unfortunately have a tendency to sink. This foam termite whilst still looking realistic overcomes that problem.

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Foam flying ant / termite 2

On hot summer days or at almost any time for that matter you can get huge hatches of termites and flying ants. They vary in colour but the dominant hatches are of brown termites, red ants and black ants. When the fish are feeding on ants they just sup the insects down one by one often at the exclusion of all other food sources. If your fly imitates the ant well you have a better than equal chance of it being considered part of the food chain.

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Humpy – hair wing variant

The combination of materials and the structure of the tie provide a fly that floats well and has a good buggy appearance. I don't tie them as representations of any particular Dun or Spinner (imago) stage of any specific insect but I do try to either select appropriate colored materials to match various terrestrials that may find themselves on a trout's menu or to add a hot spot or to to solicit an inquiring strike.

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Ant – black

If it's a hot day, a warm balmy night, if water is rising over previously dry ground or almost any time for that matter you can get huge hatches of ants. They vary in colour but the dominant hatches are of black meat ants. When the fish are feeding on ants they just sup the insects down one by one often at the exclusion of all other food sources. The best technique for ant feeders is to grease your leader except for the last 60 cm or so and to cover individual fish or place your fly amongst the naturals in the path of feeding fish.

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Scotch Poacher

A New Zealand fly tied with an overlaid wing and tied as an evening fly to imitate their freshwater crayfish known as Koura. The preferred fishing technique in New Zealand is to fish it slowly along the bottom. It certainly works well when fished that way in Australia but it has also found its way into may Australian Loch fly boxes as a dropper fly for waters where orange is a good trigger colour and mudeyes or yabbies are on the move.

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Fuzzy Wuzzy

Originating in New Zealand in the 1930's this fly was first dressed in colours of black and red and was designed as an evening or night fly representing a local crayfish. The fact that it is highly visible and symmetrical has allowed the Fuzzy Wuzzy to evolve into a must have fly with applications across a wide range of situations.

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Flash Harry variant

This Flash Harry variant is one of those flies I'll always give a swim particularly if the water is a bit discoloured or if its windy and rough. I like to fish it on a fast sinking line either ripped or with a stop and start jerky retrieve or roly-poly. Chuck in plenty of pauses in your retrieve and make sure you hang the fly before recasting. This fly also fishes well across species and is attractive to Bass, EP's. I carry smaller versions in red, chartreuse, gold and root with black or olive tails.

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