Illawarra Flyfishers Club

Flymph (Wriggler)

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Photos and Text by Steve Chatterton

Mosquitoes are part of the "True Fly" or Diptera order and are present Australia wide. Their eggs, which are laid in still waters, hatch into pupa often called "wrigglers". The general form of the pupa has a pronounced head, a thin body of up to 8mm in length with 9 segments and either breathing siphon or sieves on both sides of its last segment. It is typically almost transparent with a yellow/green to orange hue. Sometimes trout feeding on wrigglers are mistaken for trout feeding on midge pupa. The flymph represents the emerging wriggler and should be fished wet or dry in much the same way, as a midge pupa or adult midge would be fished. The best technique is to cover rising fish. In this type of fishing casting speed and accuracy are as essential as an appropriate fly. 

Tying Instructions

	1a) Starting at the eye wind the thread to the bend of the hook. b) Tie in the tail of 4 to 6 hackle fibres about the same length as 2/3 the length of the hook shank. c) Tie in the floss making sure that the olive thread is left at the bend of the hook. d) Wind the floss along 4/5 of the hook shank forming a thin but uniform body. e) Take single half hitch in the floss just to hold it in position.
	2a) Wind the olive thread along the hook shank to the point where the floss finishes forming 8 or 9 segments. b) Tie the floss off and trim its loose end.
	3a) Tie in a small bunch of mallard feather fibres on top of the hook shank representing a backward flowing wing equal in length to the hook shank. b) Trim off the butt ends of the feather fibres, build up a head of thread, whip finish and varnish.