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NYMPHS & WETS

CARIXIA & BACK-SWIMMERS

Whilst there are over 5000 different species of aquatic bugs Australia only two are of significance to the fly fisherman and they can both be represented by the same sinking fly.

The family Corixidae or Water Boatman come in a variety of shapes but all generally consist of a body between 5 and 10 mm in length. They have two sets of wings with the font wings presenting almost as legs and the rear wings often trailing behind almost as rudders and the body is a relatively flat beetle shape (3 :1). The insect is a free swimming but seldom moves far from cover. They inhabit sluggish streams and still water and they are generally dark in colour. They are air breathers and swim to the surface from time to time an trap an air bubble which they hold under their abdomen.

The second aquatic bug of interest to fly fishers is the Back-swimmers or the family Ntonectidae. Their general shape and habits are similar to the Corixidae family and they are not generally distinguished between when it comes to representing them with an artificial fly. Having said that they are a little slimmer and their colours are a little more varied ranging from shades of olive, through to dark khaki and brown.

 

MATERIALS:

Hook  - Size 14 long shank
Thread  - Black
Weight -  Fine lead wire if required
Body -  Peacock herl
Back - Olive "scud back"
Belly   Z-Lon or fluorescent antron
Wings   Turkey biots
 
A)
  1. Wind the thread in touching turns to the bend of the hook.
  2. Tie in a length of scud back on the top of the hook and a length of Z-lon on the bottom of the hook.
  3. Then tie in two peacock herl.

B)
  1. Wind the peacock herl around the thread forming a rope and whilst holding the scud back and Z-lon out of the way wind the hear rope forward 3/4 of the way along the hook shank to form the body. Tie the herl off and trim the excess.
  2. Pull the Z-lon forward under the hook to form the air sack, tie it off in front of the body and trim the excess.
  3. Pull the scud back forward on top of the body to form the back, tie it off in front of the body and trim the excess.
C)
  1. Tie a biot in on each side of the fly in front of the body with the tip extending to the side and slightly backwards as the wings.
  2. Tie in two peacock herl in front of the wings and form them into a rope around the thread.
  3. Build up a neat herl head, tie the herl off and trim the excess..
  4. Whip finish the thread and varnish.
Copyright © 2005 Stephen Chatterton / Fish on Fly P/L - All rights reserved.
Last modified:11-Jun-2008.

 
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