A gradually increasing obsession with fly fishing…
Review of: The Hardy ZephrusUse: A good all round high end rod Rod ActionFast rod action, suited to intermediate to advanced users. SizesRanges from 8′ to 10′, all single handed rods. QualityHardy rods are built to a high standard. The Zephrus is no exception. PriceRanges from US$650-$800, but can be found cheaper from time to … Read more
Review of: The Hardy Wraith Use: A good all round high end rod Rod Action Fast rod action, suited to intermediate to advanced users. Sizes Ranges from 9′ to 10′, all single handed rods. Quality Hardy rods are built to a high standard. The Wraith is no exception. Price Ranges from US$850-$900, but can be … Read more
UPDATE: The Zenith has been replaced by the Zephrus. Check our review of the Zephrus here. In this review we are going to look at the Hardy Zenith Fly Rod Series. We’ll look at real user opinions, the pros and cons of the series and how they stack up. We’ll also show you the best … Read more
UPDATE: The Jet Range is no longer manufactured by Hardy. Read the review on its successor, the Demon here. Today we are going to look at the Hardy Jet Series of fly rods. We are going to review the best and worst features, compare how they stack up against other rods in their class, and … Read more
While mayflies are often insects that fly fisherman get most excited about, caddis flies are one of the most common types of insect on the water. As a result it is essential to have selection of caddis flies tied in colours and patterns matching the insects on your water. We’re going to talk about how … Read more
This nice caddis emerger pattern uses New Zealand wool and partridge feathers as part of its components. More detailed than the Klinkhammer it is still a relatively easy fly to tie.
Materials needed:
Caddis Emerger
Hook: 1X-long dry-fly hook (e.g. Dai-Riki #300), sizes 14-18.
Thread: Olive, 6/0.
Bubble: White New Zealand sheep wool.
Body: brown rabbit fur dubbing.
Hackle: Hungarian partridge.
Thorax/head: Dark brown rabbit fur dubbing.
Caddis flies are one of the more common insects on trout streams. Often when trout aren’t active on the surface they will be feeding on nymphs below. Thus having a good selection of colours and sizes of them in your fly box is essential. This great video details how to tie a simple caddis fly nymph pattern.
This simple pattern is a great one to have in your fly box to represent the adult caddis fly. I reckon it can also pass as a grasshopper at a pinch. It’s nice and buoyant due to the inclusion of the deer or elk hair. This video shows how easy it is to tie.
The Pheasant Tail Nymph is one of those patterns that you should have lots of in different sizes and colours in your fly box. The bead headed version should be amongst those when a bit of sparkle or weight is needed (when trying to get the nymph to sink faster). This video shows how to tie the bead headed version.
The Pheasant Tail Nymph is one of the classic fly patterns that will do for a wide variety of situations and insects. This video describes the American version of the fly with legs coming off the side. It varies slightly from the classic Sawyer’s pattern but is great in it’s own right.
This video describes how to tie the nymph in smaller sizes. These are often useful for picky fish. Be sure to tie lots of the Pheasant Tail nymph pattern in lots of sizes for your fly box.