5 Flies for Sterkfontein

**dlampert** · 27-01-14

I am doing my first trip to Sterkfontein at the end of Feb. I really need to tie some flies but have limited time. What 5 must have flies would you tie and take with you for this time of year?

thanks,
darryl

**Troep** · 27-01-14

Darryl,

Ive always had good results with a Klipspringer Caddis as well as ***dards Caddis. Easy to make and you can trim them if need be.

Beetles are always a winner.

I also like small streamers.

Enjoy!!

**JadeDsantos** · 27-01-14

Originally Posted by dlampert

I am doing my first trip to Sterkfontein at the end of Feb. I really need to tie some flies but have limited time. What 5 must have flies would you tie and take with you for this time of year?

thanks,
darryl

Hi Darryl

My biggest mistake was not tying big enough patterns. I was on 10 - 12, but you really need 8 - 6 size beetles. Eds hopper works great, and of obviously the good doctors style beetle works a charm. Try vary up the colours, but I believe the basic silhouettes will bring the fish up.

Have fun, looking forward to the images.

J

**Herman Jooste** · 27-01-14

Darryl, I'll be there in less than 2 weeks time. I will be tying beetle patterns, large EHC, as well as some #12 - 14 peacock hearl nymphs ( unweighted ) in case I need to fish dry and dropper or a team of 2 nymphs.

Have a blast friend, all the reports say that Sterkies fishing is off the wall at the moment.

**Bryan** · 27-01-14

I will always have these in my box:

Purple (tinge of green in the sun) beetles - http://www.ispot.org.za/node/151333
Brown (xmas beetles) beetles
Brown foam hopper
Deer hair cricket
Selection of stimulators
CDC Caddis

**Circus** · 28-01-14

Darryl

I know Sterkies is a dry fly heaven, but the weather doesn't always play along. Apart from the usual suspects, a nymph with a thin shiny blue body, grey cdc collar/wing and a 2mm gold tungsten bead has worked really well for me.

**firephish** · 28-01-14

I've never stayed far from the below:

If the water is glassy calm:

EHC (with tan & pale green bodies)
Parachute Adams

If water is varying degrees of choppy:

Beetle's
Hoppers
Humpy's

Its good if these float like cork as you may want to add a small nymph as a dropper (PTN or GRHE)

So technically that is 7 flies

**allsorts** · 28-01-14

I had a good look at the contents of Dave Weaver's blinding white I-FlyBox when I fished with him in November. 3 patterns - Good Doctor's Beetle (purple & bronze), Hans van Zyl's Hopper patterns (2 variants) and a handful of F flies. Late in the season (late Feb, March) he adds a flying ant pattern. I know some guys look down on TGD's Beetles (the Walkers Killer of the YF world?) but that doesn't mean they don't work. I suggest you arrange to go see Hans - he's a great guy - and buy a bit of SA flyfishing history while you are there. He isn't going to be tying them for ever. You won't regret it.