Marc Griffiths Wildflies
NATURAL FLIES FOR NEW ZEALAND TROUT tied in NZ by Mark Griffiths
New Zealand trout have become a lot more selective in recent years, largely attributed to increasing angling pressure and catch and release. Gone are the days when one could confidently cast a Hare and Copper or Royal Wulff at every sighted fish. Nowadays it is often necessary to match the main insect in the drift with a convincing pattern, before a sighted fish will respond - favourably that is.Good imitative patterns will not catch fish in all circumstances and do not avoid the need for good presentation. But all things being equal, they will tilt the balance in favour of the angler when discerning fish are feeding on the particular prey a fly is designed to imitate.
Wildflies patterns are realistic and durable imitations of local prey items, that do not just look good in the vise but also behave convincingly on or in the water. Some flies have taken years to perfect - the ultimate judges always being the inhabitants of the rivers and lakes of Aotearoa.
Particular care is given to proportions of the natural insect and use of the best available materials to imitate it. Creating flies of exceptional quality often requires additional steps, e.g a coat of epoxy, strategic drops of super glue, the inclusion of mobile legs or nylon loops to reduce tail wrap
Wildflies look good, fish well and in most cases last a good deal longer than expected
