The Compleat Clouser Minnow
Grabbed an old DVD copy of the Compleat Clouser Minnow just to see if I was tying them the way Bob intended. So I followed along with the video and spun up a couple of red & gold ones. Out on the lake, the lead eye Clouser sinks nicely to where the bass are usually holding. Fished with an intermediate sink line I can strip the fly through the top of the weeds. I find this the best way to triggering a response. The Clouser is such a versatile fly. If I could only have one fly this would probably be it.
September is Bass O’Clock
September is prime time to book your bass fishing trip in the Northern Rivers. As the water warms, so does the metabolism of our local native sportfish, the Australian Bass. Spawning time has ended and they are again ready to feed.
The Tweed River is looking particularly good. Last year the drought dictated low flows and the river was choked with weed. This year, good rainfall over winter has flushed away the weed and the water is clear and begging to be fished.
Clarrie Hall Dam is also looking good. The dam is 100% full and crystal clear. The average size of the larger Bass (42cm) is bigger than it has been in years, possibly ever! And as always, the condition of these fish is outstanding. Clarrie Hall Bass are fit, vibrant and full of lustre. I can’t recall ever seeing a Clarrie Bass with a parasite. And boy can they pull some string!!
If Bass on fly or lure are on your bucket list, September is the time to get it done. Message me or give me a call, dates are filling up fast 0409 760 380.
-Simon Fitzpatrick, Northern Rivers Sportfishing
Kayaking with Keanu
If only more kids were like Keanu who takes every opportunity to wet a line. In this modern era of ‘i-gizmos’ and ‘x-amathingies’ its great to meet young folk that would much prefer to go fishing than stagnate in front of a screen. Keanu, an NDIS participant, insisted on a fly casting lesson too. His dedication to master all aspects of this sport is inspirational! More tackle boxes and less x-boxes people!
The Pink Thing Fly
The pink thing is probably the most famous and successful barramundi fly. But it is also very effective on a host of other species such as pelagics and even Australian bass. For the most part this fly is tied in the original way its inventor Graham White first tied it, with the exception of the Fish Mask head and weedless wire. Graham recognized that by building a thick body of buck tail and a thick pink ‘webby’ collar, the fly will ‘push water.’ This means that fish can better locate the fly in discolored water. Grahams’ pink thing was tied with bead chain eyes but tying with modern materials such as the Fish Mask will surely add more ‘push’ than ever. The wire weed guard means it can be fished right in among the mangrove roots.
Simon Fitzpatrick
Tying The Dahlberg Diver Fly
The Dahlberg Diver would have to be my all time favorite fly. Anything that swims and feeds off the surface of the water will be tempted by the Dahlberg. Murray cod, bass, golden perch, saratoga, barrumundi, even turtles and water dragons love this fly.
There are a number of pattern variations of this fly and so it can be tied to imitate a frog, insect, lizard, fish or even a mouse struggling on the water. Retrieving with short sharp strips causes the fly to bloop, leaving a bubble trail in it’s wake. Another retrieve that works well with bass is to just leave the fly sit in one place. Every now and then a little shake of the rod tip causes the fly to vibrate like a cicada caught in the surface tension of the water.
The Dahlberg also has a very good hook up rate. When fish strike surface flies tied with foam, the fly will often bounce away from the fish and fails to hook up. The Dahlberg is made of deer hair which tends to stick to the water and is less buoyant than foam. I believe this helps ensure the fly enters the fishes mouth.
Simon Fitzpatrick
Tying The Donnie Brasco Fly
If you love fly fishing for Australian native fish and are looking for a good fly this spring, look no further than the Donnie Brasco Fly. This is a great all rounder fly for species such as golden perch that school up in our impoundments over springtime. Also with bass season now open, this fly is bound to tempt a bass or two.
This fly can be tied in a variety of sizes. A good starting point for bass and golden perch would be to tie on a 1/0 hook. Larger hooks up to 4/0 would be ideal for Murray cod when summer rolls around. Both the body and tail of the Donnie Brasco Fly consist of rabbit fur. This material is well known for its fish enticing action. When retrieving the fly with short sharp strips, rabbit fur tends to pulsate in the water, closely resembling the movement of a fishes fins.
Black and purple are proven colours when it comes to attracting Australian native fish. By tying on a purple tail and a black body you have a very versatile fly for both clear and turbid water. More often that not I tie in a weed guard too. By tying a double loop weed guard you can work the fly right in among the structure without snagging up too often. The weed guard shown in the video offers good snag resistance whilst collapsing easily when a fish bites.
Tight lines
Simon Fitzpatrick
