FLY OF THE MONTH – SEPTEMBER 2024

THE TOP-HAT BUZZER

                                                                                               HOOK: Size 12 – 16.
                                                                                               THREAD: Black 8/0.
                                                                                               BUTT: Fire orange thread.
                                                                                              ABDOMEN: Black ‘Spandex’/Flexifloss etc.
                                                                                              THORAX: Fine black and red dubbing mixed.
                                                                                              TOP-HAT: Black foam cylinder, size to suit hook.

This is a very effective fly when small dark midges are hatching and imitates the adult midge emerging from the pupal case at the water surface. The fly should sit in the water with the foam just showing above the surface with the hook hanging below. If you tie your own, make the foam a little too long, drop the finished fly into a glass of water and cut the excess foam off just above the water surface. There are a large variety of colours and sizes of this type of fly available commercially so just match the colour and size to the midges you can see coming off the water.

Given reasonable weather, fly choice should be similar to last month as there will still be a lot of terrestrial flies and beetles on the water on warm days. The daddy-long-legs is always a good fly to try at this time of the year especially on breezy days when they could be blown onto the water. On really hot days when nothing seems to be happening at the surface, try sinking lines and lures. I usually start off with something bright such as a Cat’s Whisker and if that doesn’t produce a response change to something darker, such as a Black Fritz or Humungous. Fish as deep as you can without continually snagging on the bottom. Don’t forget the fish are still in the lake and they still must eat so you are always in with a chance if your fly is in the water!

Below: Humungous lure.

Phil Bilbrough