LEONARD FLEMMING SHARES HIS SIX TOP FLIES FOR TROUT

Text and pictures by Leonard Flemming

Pictures of Leonard by Tom Sutcliffe

These are six of my favourite flies for trout. I chose this particular 6 pack to fit almost all conditions you are likely to meet on South African streams.

Black CDC Klinkhamer: An old favourite of many who fish small streams, this fly bobs highly visible. It is a variant that is especially handy in situations where glare is a problem when trying to sight the fly.

UV Softy: A soft hackle pattern tied with an ostrich feather for a buggy abdomen wrapped with a UV crystal flash strand and UV dubbing for the thorax - deadly in slightly murky water.

Mot: Those who have seen this fly perform swear to its effectiveness (although it’s big and ugly!). It is a simple fly consisting of thread, a wrapped white CDC feather and a bundle of very fine Elk for the wing.

Owl's-eye May: I stumbled on a dead owl in the road some years ago and noticed what intricate eye lashes they have. It didn't take me long to build a mayfly pattern with an owl's eye lash as a tail (one eye lash comes complete with anatomical abdomen segments and three tail fibres).

Bionic Nymphs: If you haven't seen a Foam Odyssey then it's time you start looking for it. Stu Tripney ties some interesting flies, including the Bionic Nymph for shy New Zealand trout. My version of the fly, tied with black Loco Foam, has landed me a couple of very special fish.

Note from Tom Sutcliffe

The latest issue of WADE, a fly fishing and travel magazine is available on-line. Leonard is the editor. I recommend you have a look at it. This is a very artistic and informative on-line magazine. See www.wademagazine.com.