|
Looking
forward to the new season I considered it time to look
again at the patterns that I use during those warm sunny
evening sedge hatches.
To be precise I wanted to
look into patterns that could be used in that transition
time between the pupae leaving the lake or river bed and
hatching at the surface. I did not want to wait until
the adults were in evidence on the surface occupying the
minds of the fish, as this is often just as the light is
fading and the fishery is closing.
The classic pattern that
is always number one selection at this time is the
Invicta which has passed the test of time and is still
an excellent choice. I like to fish with look-alike
patterns which do not take an eternity to dress and it
was this scenario which kick started my thoughts into
action.
Many of you will be aware
of how much I like to incorporate glass beads into my
patterns and these looked ideal to give that plump,
segmented body of the sedge pupa. A tapered butt of
tying thread to match the body colour retains the beads
in position.
After much
experimentation, including partridge and grouse, to
replicate the legs I have incorporated a hackle of CDC
which will give that all important illusion of life. To
help sink the fly and negate the floating qualities of
the CDC a few turns of lead wire are incorporated as an
under-body to the thorax. Eyes of black monofilament are
added as I consider them to be an important part of any
'hunter to prey' contact and when referring to diagrams
of sedge pupa they appear to be quite a prominent
feature.
After experimenting with various materials for other
prominent identification features I finally arrived at
the following sedge pupa dressing:
CDC Sedge Pupa:
  |
