By Leonard Flemming
I fished New Zealand for five months in the 2010/2011 season and found eight flies that worked exceptionally well for me. I could have chosen ten flies to make this post sound better, but then it wouldn’t represent the best. So here they are with their recipes. I’ve also decided to include some of my best fish, just in case you were wondering how well these flies worked…
The Cellophane-wing Mayfly
Hook: #16-18, TMC 9300 or Knapek Wet Fly hook #14
Thread: 14/0, Gordon Griffiths Sheer, black
Tail: Black hackle fibres
Abdomen:One stripped peacock herl
Wing: Cellophane, precut to match mayfly wings
Thorax: Black hackle and CDC spun into the thread
The Para-foam Beetle (yellow)
Hook: #16 (or #14), Knapek Wet Fly hook #14
Thread: 14/0, Gordon Griffiths Sheer, black.
Post: CDC puff, white.
Hackle: Ginger, Whiting Genetic.
Underbody: Pheasant back feathers (green, blue or brown).
Wing covers (Elytra): Loco foam, Bluewater Flies, pearl yellow.
Legs (optional): Two knotted pheasant fibres can be added to imitate
hind legs of monkey beetles.
Hare and Copper
Hook: #16 (or #14), Kamasan B170 or Gamakatsu S10
Thread: 14/0, Gordon Griffiths Sheer, black.
Bead: Tungsten, black (optional)
Tail, body and thorax: Hare’s ear dubbing
Rib: Copper wire
Wing case: Pheasant tail fibres
Bionic Nymph (inspired by Stu Tripney’s “A Foam Odyssey”)
Hook: #16 (or #14), Kamasan B170 or Gamakatsu S10
Thread: 14/0, Gordon Griffiths Sheer, black.
Bead: Tungsten, black (optional)
Tail and legs: Fine rubber strands, black
Abdomen: Stripped peacock herl (wrapped over wet Hard as Nails)
Thorax: Peacock herl
Wing case: Loco foam, Bluewater Flies, black
CDC Parachute Adams
Hook: #12 – 14, Knapek Wet Fly hook (the #12 worked exceptionally well).
Thread: 14/0, Gordon Griffiths Sheer, black.
Tail: Black hare’s ear or black hackle fibres.
Abdomen: Hare’s Ear dubbing, natural.
Rib: Half-stripped CDC feather and fine copper wire.
Post: White yarn.
Hackle: Brown and grizzly mix.
Body/thorax: CDC spun into the thread and wrapped over hare’s ear dubbing.
Red&Copper Brassie
Hook: #12 – 14, heavy wire scud or caddis hook.
Thread: 14/0, Gordon Griffiths Sheer, black.
Abdomen: Red copper wire
Thorax/head: UV ice dub red (make sure it reflects UV light!).
Tungsten ZAK
Hook: #10 – 12, long shank dry fly hook.
Thread: 14/0, Gordon Griffiths Sheer, black.
Bead: Tungsten bead, black.
Tail and hackle: Olive hackle.
Abdomen and thorax:2 x Stripped peacock herl + 2 x plain peacock herl + 1 x pearl crystal flash strand all twisted together and wrapped forward.
Rib: Fine copper wire
Wing case: Mix of stripped and plain peacock herl
Rabbit zonker (perfect for sea-run browns in river mouths and also for brook char)
Hook: #6, Long shank streamer hook.
Thread: 8/0 Red.
Bead: Tungsten bead, black.
Tail and collar: Grizzly marabou.
Body: Peacock herl or brush – Angelina
Wing: Large grey/natural rabbit zonker
