5 best flies for spring

As with any sort of subjective analysis, I could list a bunch of caveats to prelude this article. No doubt you're already thinking of all the question marks the title of this article would prompt. Don’t worry, we get it. “It’s all your own perspective” … “These flies would never work on my home water in spring”... “Why have you included this fly?”. We can speak to their efficacy in early season, high flow conditions as experienced during Because we should but this article isn’t about that. This article isn't about being comprehensive. It’s about a fun concept where we share our favorites and our thoughts (and hopefully you guys share your own ‘go-to’s’ in the comments below as well). It is kind of like fly fishing in general. Once you realise it’s actually all about having fun, not trawling through articles looking for the ‘gotcha’ moment (and yes before you ask, I couldn’t tell you the unemployment rate off the top of my head either…), but sharing your thoughts, opinions, and listening to others. Take what you will. Have a gander at our 5 best flies for spring. Let us know what your favorites are and any memorable fish stories you have with those flies and we hope you enjoy the read for what it is. 

March Brown

The March Brown is the long lost artificial twin to the Kosciusko Dun, Australia’s largest mayfly. These things are big, brown and fire up the trout akin something similar to a cattle rod up the proverbial behind. When these mayflys start hatching, anytime from October onwards, through into late December, the trout want a piece. They are of such size the energy/protein proposition to the trout is on parity with a plumb late season grasshopper. They are so big you can hear their wings ‘buzz’ when they fly by. No wonder the trout will move with bow wave causing intensity, cross pool to smokeshow one of these. The March Brown is the best imitation of the Kozi Dun. If you come across a Kozi Dun hatch, get it on in size 10’s (and 8’s if you can get your hands on them) and enjoy the party. 

Simon’s uglies 

Right so this one might turn some heads or ruffle some feathers. A Simon’s Ugly, curated by Aussie Fly Fisher’s guide Simon Chu, was first twisted up to mimic a New Zealand stonefly nymph. It was so well done, that this variant has accounted for many of the most scrupulous of fly critics, New Zealand backcountry brown trout. Yet its utility when back here in Australia is in the smaller sizes. The size 12’s, and those tied in darker natural brown shades, are fantastic imitations to the abovementioned Kozi Dun, as it is in its sub-aquatic life stages. Just as much as the trout get dialed in on these bugs as they start hatching off the top, they love ambushing them as a nymph en route to the surface to hatch. To top it off, the double beaded nymph versions get your fly down in heavy snow melt driven flow. A great go to sub-surface option in Spring. 

Note: Photo below is variants of the Simon’s Ugly.

Copper John

Sometimes getting the fly to match the insect type is important. Sometimes it is critically unforgiving. Sometimes matching all of the size, the colour and the profile is required. Honestly I often feel more pressure staring down into my fly box than I did trying to pick out a tie for year 10 high school formal. And like that moment, it actually doesn't matter. Back then, I was blissfully unaware that I was never actually any hope. In spring, fly fishing Australia and New Zealand, you are in fact a chance to score. The trout are marginally forgiving, and will turn a blind eye to the above variables, provided you get the fly in their face. Fishing through the high flows of spring involves choosing weight and profile to cut through the current and sink quick enough to be seen by the trout. The Copper John is the perfect fly for this spring based scenario. A wire wrapped body not only adds weight, but slims the profile to enable less friction as it plummets through the water column. A Copper John is your best chance to get down to the fish. At this time of year, the trout, unlike that high school crush from way back when, will give you points for trying. 

Hares ear
Whilst the Hares Ear is so serviceable it holds its place in any favorable fly list year round, I find myself drawn to it more so through October and November. The caddis of mainland Australia seem to love the goldilocks nature of spring weather, not too hot, not too cold. They are constantly hovering around all day. Muchalike Dave Warner not getting the hint and retiring, they are ever present. Add a tea tree bush, riverside, and like a 2nd rate West Indies bowling line is to Dave, watch them go up a gear. 

Articulated steamers 

Have any of you ever fasted? Doesn't matter why, but when you did, did you long for a couple of cheese and crackers? A handful of chips perhaps? Or did you long for a hunger crushing meal? Coming out of a long winter period, barren of insect life, trout aren't dreaming of a small meal, not your parachute adams or your pheasant tail nymph. Sure, they will probably eat it as it passes by, but they aren't heading cross country to hunt these flies down. What they are prepared to expend a decent whack of energy on is substantial, protein filled meals. At this time of year they get these by being predatory, hunting other trout. Big streamers, often articulated with two hooks, imitating a wounded smaller fish, are the bulked up offering they have been waiting for. The way these streamers ‘swim’ as you strip them back just screams vulnerability, begging the trout to come and ferociously attack it. It is adrenaline inducing stuff. Red Bull are missing a trick here. It is a wild ride and the start of the season is one of the best times to have a crack.