The Classics Zulu

[maharg]

The Zulu

Another of the old favourites and a good fly for the top dropper. Not many variants to this one which tend to suggest the original is pretty good. Works well in the classic rolling wet fly wave.

Black Zulu or just Zulu

• hook wet fly 14-8
• tail red wool
• body black seals fur
• body hackle black cock
• rib silver wire or oval in the bigger sizes
• head hackle black cock

N.B. Our own dear Stan, (troutheaven) has researched the matter of the rib further and is sure it is a flat silver tinsel. Though he states also that is not to wide.(08/07/2010)
Blue Zulu


As black, but with a blue head hackle. I have used feather fibre for the tail also.

Muddled Zulu

Many top dropper patterns are improved with a muddler head, here is one.


Was fishing with my mate one day and he had a couple of fish right away on a blue zulu. I changed to this and had an odd fish he continued to catch plenty??? I asked to see his fly, it had the blue hackle trailing like a wing!
It had unravelled on the first fish and he never bothered to change it

What are your stories???

[fishfinger]

Ive had some success with the red tail changed to a lime green tail .

[Scratch]

Nice work Graham, and thanks for getting another 'Classics' thread going.

The Zulu is a classic family right enough, but seems to be suited more to the Welsh and Scottish upland waters and maybe some Cornish lakes too. I've caught on some Zulu variant or other over the years on Tal-y-Llyn, Brenig, Vyrnwy, Stocks, and north of the border too. Would be interested to know if many folk use them much on richer lowland type waters?

[maharg]

Probably not many folk using them, a black blob tending to take the role now

[maharg]

Ah well Rob and Fishfinger looks like nobody likes or uses a Zulu. Over 100 views and only a couple of replies!
Think the old ones are dead, long live the usurpers.

[troutheaven]

I am confused. I always thought that Zulus were defined by a flat metallic rib rather than wire. Am I having a senior moment?

[squeeks]

The Zulu used to be popular on Grassholme Reservoir up in Teesdale, and almost always caught. I've not fished Grassholme in years, but I think it's still quite popular. I always did better with a plain old red wool tail rather than these new fangled flourescent reds.
I've knocked up a few recently and aim to use them a bit more next year

[squeeks]

Originally Posted by troutheaven

I am confused. I always thought that Zulus were defined by a flat metallic rib rather than wire. Am I having a senior moment?

I always tied mine with a bigger oval silver rib - too wide and it knacks the palmered hackle, but then that's maybe just me being useless

[maharg]

The actual tying I have done might not be 100%. Perhaps it is a wide silver rib?
With patterns of this vintage it is always difficult to know the definitive.
One tries ones best.

---------- Post added at 08:18 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:11 PM ----------

With this Classics thread I would like to think it will perhaps jog peoples memory, or bring to light these older patterns to new anglers.
They have worked for decades and have caught countless fish. To many flies fall victim to fashion and are lost in the mists of time.
Dont get me wrong I fully embrace new patterns and will give them a go.The late Dick Walker used a rule of thumb that a fly was not worth talking about until it had caught over 50 fish. How many of the new patterns featured here, and in the angling press can really meet that criteria?

[squeeks]

Like most things, it's probably down to personal preference and what works for you - They are still cracking ties though mate!

cheers

[QUOTE=maharg;574908]The actual tying I have done might not be 100%. Perhaps it is a wide silver rib?
With patterns of this vintage it is always difficult to know the definitive.
One tries ones best.[COLOR="Silver"]