Monthly Featured Fly (March 2011)

The Black Buzzer

Now that the weather has hopefully turned for the better and there is a noticeable rise of a degree or two in temperature around midday we are starting to see the first buzzer hatches of spring. Although the hatches are small and not lasting too long it doesn't take too long for the fish to switch onto them. The hatches we are seeing at the minute are of large black buzzers and anglers that are switching over to fish these naturals are doing well on them, so it could be time to put those lures away!

 

Buzzer patterns now come in a variety of colours and each one will have its day, In general though most black buzzer patterns will catch you fish as long as they are fished right. The most popular ways of fishing them would be firstly on a floating line with a leader of around 15-18ft, space three buzzers around 4-5ft apart, find a spot on the bank where you have a gentle side wind and cast the buzzers out and then most importantly......do nothing! Let the wind do the work and drift the buzzers around in an arc for you and wait for the line to tighten, but be prepared because takes can be savage. If there is a strong wind keep the same leader set up but substitute the floating line for a slow sinking intermediate as too strong a wind will drag your buzzers around too quickly making them move too quickly and appear unnatural to the fish. using the slow intermediate, employ a slow figure of eight retreive. Buzzers are also extremely effective fished under the bung, again if its too windy though they can be dragged too fast and appear unnatural to the fish but on a calm day the buzzer/bung method can be hard to beat.

 

In general and for best results buzzers should be fished slowly, they form a major part of the trouts diet so when the fish switch onto them sport can be fantastic.