Blackflies - help! Again!

[rory]

Ok Guys I'm still on the blackfly larva mission, and need some help from the gogga experts. Theres very little info available on our local blackflies, but plenty on the British version. Heres some key points on what I've managed to research so far and I need to know if our blackflies share these charateristics:

1. The insect establishes home base on a rock etc by weaving a silken mat, hooks on the bottom of the insect hold it firmly onto the mat. (see pic)

2. When dislodged, it spins a silken lifeline, one end of which remains attached to the mat. It pays out enough line, then, safely out of harm's way, stops, grasps the thread in its jaws and begins "reeling in" by eating the strand of silk. (Like a spider?)

3. It slowly begins to move back upstream until it reaches its silken mat. Once secure, it immediately extends its head fans and begins feeding as though nothing unusual has happened.


Do our local blackfly larva do the same thing?

[pieterkriel]

I pretty much heard the same regarding our, can't remember the source

[poppernel]

HI Rory,

A good immitation for the blackfly is the ''bluebottel'', can be fished dry or wet.

Dave

[turando101]

Rory,
Your picture is of the Simulium species which is the same as the one we find in the orange river.
Some more (international info):
http://creatures.ifas.ufl.edu/livestock/bfly.htm#life
http://www.scientificillustrator.com...fly-larva.html
Cheers,

[chris williams]

Rory there's not that much difference between various species internationally - once you've got the basice (which you have) you 95% there. I have some more specific gen on our Vaalie biting bstards - will post or PM you later/over the weekend in a quiet moment

[rory]

HI Rory,

A good immitation for the blackfly is the ''bluebottel'', can be fished dry or wet.

Dave

Thanks for that Dave, do you by any chance perhaps have a pic or tying sequence?

.....will post or PM you later/over the weekend in a quiet moment

Thanks Chris, will you be sober?

[poppernel]

Thanks for that Dave, do you by any chance perhaps have a pic or tying sequence?

Got a pic and materials for tying, can do a quick tie for you. Heres anyway what you need.

Hook: 12-14
Thread: Black.
Body: Blue or pearl flashbackwrapped over black ostrich herl.
Wings: Two blue dun hackle points tied flat.
Hackle: Black cock.

Of interest: Although desined to imitate a blackfly bluebottle, this pattern is effective when other dark terrestrials, such as beetles are on the water. It may be fished in the surfacefilm by applying floatant or left to sink, where the retrieve should be slow.

Will post a pic quickly, just to resize first.



Thanks Chris, will you be sober?

Will post as soon as can.

[poppernel]

Will post as soon as can.

My report is now in your post

Anyway, a pic from a book.

[jock0]

dont think thats such a got pattern for imitating black fly on the vaal.

Rory your last imitations were very good and you can improve them by adding one or two very thin pieces of flash to act as the thread they spin. Another option is to colour the first few centimeters of your tippet white... Works a treat. Some old codger told me that trick.

[poppernel]

Trout eat them, but then again, trout arent the so called kings of the Vaal.

Dave