Bumble

This is a variant of the original Black Zulu - now more commonly referred to as the Red Zulu, as most of the bodies are the same - the tail being the differentiating factor. This is generally referred to as a Sea Trout Fly even though this is quite a formidable Brown Trout fly also. Our variant contains a dyed badger hackle at the front in addition to a tail of fluorescent Blue floss.

This is the original tying of Capt. John Kennedy’s very versatile bumble. Capt. Kennedy, from South Uist, has created a very modern fishing fly from a reasonably old design. The fly contains all of the elements essential in creating the illusion of life ; dark profile, sparkle, glitter, fluorescence, translucency and of course - fish appeal ! The fly has proven itself to be a real killer with all of the Salmonoid species in freshwater and it can be fished with confidence anywhere on the leader in the largest to the smallest sizes. Particularly suited to darker peat-stained waters due to its two-tone fluorescent tail, this does not seem to have affected its effectiveness in smaller Stillwater arenas where the fly has gained a worthwhile reputation over a number of years.

This is the original Claret Bumble as designed and fished by the notable Kingsmill Moore. Our version has two small departure from the original - dyed Hot Orange tippet in the tail and a suntly dyed front hackle in place of the now ever-scarce Blue Jay feather. This is probably the most famous and versatile of all of the bumble patterns, having its origins on Lough Corrib and the Costello & Fermoyle fisheries in the west of Ireland. Whilst representing absolutely nothing, it seems that all of our Trout species, and indeed our Salmon, seem to think that it imitates plenty of what they consider to be good for them. This fly has a pedigree second to none in that it will catch fish of all species regardless of time of day or year. It is fished from February through to October in all water types and colours - the size being the only differential. The secret of the pattern is the dark Claret Seals Fur in the body, which appears Black to the human eye until viewed under strong artificial light, combined with a gold rib for brightness - what more need we say ?

This fly was invented by Stan Headley and has become a stalwart of the Brown Trout and Sea Trout angler. The fly fishes very well in peat stained waters and has been known to catch it’s fair share of Rainbow Trout when conditions are suitable.

This is another of the Kingsmill series of bumbles. The body is composed of Fiery Brown dyed seals fur which is then palmered with a dyed Red and a Fiery Brown hackle down the body. This fly is best fished in the early part of the season, accounting for large bags of Brown Trout and, at times, Sea Trout. Fiery Brown, the colour, was made famous by the Rogan family of fly tyers in Ballyshannon, Co. Donegal, a place where Kingsmill Moore purchased his materials, including the shades of Golden Olive Seals Fur and Dark Claret Seals fur as used in his other bumbles. Fiery Brown, when dyed to the proper shade, is an extremely effective colour in peat stained water, whether in loch or river.

Definitely a "Hall Of Fame" candidate, this fly is very effective on the Loughs from May onwards, when it will be taken by Trout feeding on Sedges, Daphnia or Mayfly. It is one of the original Kingsmill of bumbles with slight modifications including a butt of Red Seals fur. The fly is usually fished on the bob, in either a 10 or 12, except for during the Mayfly, when it can be fished in a size 8.

This is the bumble version of the famous Green Peter Sedge. This pattern, although not quite as famous as it’s more illustrious brother, is just about as effective once conditions suit the fishing of this style of fly. It can be fished throughout the season with confidence for all of the Salmonoid species. Our version contains the almost now omni-present Red butt, a relatively recent addition to an already accomplished pattern.

This is the probably the most famous variant of the famous bumble pattern originally devised for the Salmon & Sea Trout of the Burrishoole fishery in Co. Mayo in Ireland. The Bibio got it’s name from the latin name given to the Heather Fly, which is often to be found being blown onto the waters of upland rivers and lakes. The fly was originally designed with a central band of Claret between two bands of Black Seals Fur. This variant contains four bands of Seals fur in the body, Black, Hot Orange, Black and Hot Orange again at the tail. Originally designed as a top dropper fly par excellence, the fly has also been very successful when fished in smaller sizes alone or as a tail fly on a cast of two or three wet flies. It’s versatility even extends to it being fished dry or damp when dark coloured terrestrials are about on either river or lake. It will catch Brown Trout, Sea Trout, Rainbow Trout and Salmon with equal gusto and is rarely omitted from the cast by fishers in the know once afloat on the larger loughs. The "secret" of this pattern is that it will represent many many species of insect hatches without actually imitating any of them to any close degree.

It is indeed rare when a slight modification to an established pattern begins to outstrip it’s originator in almost every face - this fly is one such pattern. It is basically a Hot Orange Bibio which has had the addition of two "ears" of J.C. added in front of the head hackle. This is an extremely effective fly for all of the Trout species but it is particularly effective for Sea Trout. It is the top-dropper choice of many fishermen and has been responsible for more specimen-sized Sea Trout over the past 5 years than probable any other fly - bar none. It can be fished with confidence from early season right though to the end, as most of the Bibio family of flies can, definitely one for the top row of your fly box.

What can be said of this pattern that has not been said many times before ? Our version has a Red flexifloss rib and a soft hen hackle at the head as opposed to the original which has a silver rib and a cock neck hackle at the head. A famous pattern, tied originally by Charles McLaren and named after his Mother Kate, this fly is extremely effective for both Brown and Sea Trout in addition to Salmon. This variant comes from Lough lene in Killarney, Co. Kerry and has been successful on many other systems since it’s introduction.

This is another variant of the ever-versatile Bibio family. This particular dressing lends itself very well to a host of Louse and Shrimp style representations. With it’s Pearl rib and Hot Orange central band being the main focal points, the fly contains a number of trigger points for a taking fish. In addition to this, it’s head hackle of Partridge nicely breaks the darkness of the original pattern, and can be particularly successful on the darkest of days in the largest of waves!

This the Bumble version of that most famous of flies - the Peter Ross. All the materials of the original are present - just tied in a different style which allow for different methods of presentation and fishing. The pattern is almost as effective in a general capacity for attracting all of the Trout species and can also be fished in the smaller sizes for fish which are feeding on chironomid buzzers.

This is the famous bumble pattern originally devised for the Salmon & Sea Trout of the Burrishoole fishery in Co. Mayo in Ireland. The Bibio got it’s name from the latin name given to the Heather Fly, which is often to be found being blown onto the waters of upland rivers and lakes. The fly was originally designed with a central band of Claret between two bands of Black Seals Fur. Our variant contains four bands of Seals fur in the body, Black, Red, Black and Red again at the tail. Originally designed as a top dropper fly par excellence, the fly has also been very successful when fished in smaller sizes alone or as a tail fly on a cast of two or three wet flies. It’s versatility even extends to it being fished dry or damp when dark coloured terrestrials are about on either river or lake. It will catch Brown Trout, Sea Trout, Rainbow Trout and Salmon with equal gusto and is rarely omitted from the cast by fishers in the know once afloat on the larger loughs. The "secret" of this pattern is that it will represent many species of insect hatches without actually imitating any of them to any close degree.

Also referred to as the Black Zulu, this is the original of the species, at least our variant of it. We have used a fluorescent red floss tail to inject more life into this most traditional of patterns. It succeeds as a Sea Trout and Brown Trout fly par-excellence in almost all water conditions. It can be fished as a dapped fly in it’s larger sizes and some even fish this pattern in the brightest of weather as opposed to the conventional "bright fly for a bright day" adage.

Famed as a Salmon Fly, this combination of Black and Orange has been the downfall of many wily Trout and Salmon. As with many popular patterns, this fly has also received the "Bumble" treatment. This pattern has seen success with all of the Trout species in all areas probably due to the highly contrasting body / hackle combination. Equally at home in small sizes for buzzer feeding fish, the pattern is also a "must" for when clouds are dark and full of rain and the drift full of fresh Sea Trout !

Once again, a "Bumblized" variant of an established pattern which has been the downfall of many Trout and Salmon. It is very effective for Sea Trout in lakes and seems to be preferred by "those in the know" in smaller sizes. The fly contains many favourite colours of Sea Trout and Salmon, with a jointed body of Red and Black and a head hackle of Blue Jay, the pattern is set off with two small eyes of J.C., which act as a great target point and help the pattern to be seen in dark peat-stained waters.