Classic Kiwi Matukas in Ireland

[Joey1]

The matuka flies are an integral part of the fly fishing culture I grew up with on the shores of Lake Taupo. My first wild rainbow fell to a taupo-tiger on the mouth of the Waitahanui River known globally as the 'picket fence'.

I was twelve years old fumbling in my dad's sun-parched, rubber waders and lashing an ancient fiberglass rod, which arched under the rampant runs of a five-pound hen fish.

Peering into my dad's tackle box containing classic NZ bait patterns like the Jack Spratt, Ginger Mick, Grey Ghost, Parson's Glory, Red Setter (and many other fry imitations) always held a sense of wonder, before early morning adventures along pumis-lined shores. These flies still ignite boyhood imaginings of savage takes and trout illuminated in magenta flanked splendor as they launched themselves from the lurid depths of the ancient lake.

They also take a fair share of Irish brown trout and sea trout in the right conditions.


The 'Jack Spratt' Olive



The 'Jack Spratt' Red



The 'Jack Spratt' - small fry imitation



The Taupo Tiger



The Taupo Tiger - variant



Green Orbit



Black Matuka



'Rusty' Rabbit Matuka



Rabbit Matuka - perch fry



and my variation on the olive wooly bugg*r and humungous thrown in...





Cheers,

Brent.

[corky]

Really catchy looking stuff Brent ,I had some good fishing last sesson on wooly ****** and varients ,did you have any crack at river brownies with them,nice fly holder .
Ferg

[Joey1]

To be honest I sank the bottle of plonk and used the cork for mounting the flies as I'm too ashamed to photograph my cheap dirty old vice.

[lvlacleod]

Nice flies. I recently tied my 1st fly using the matuka style and have been looking for other flies to tie using the same style. I really like the style, I think cause I personally find it easy to do.

Here was my 1st attempt. I only did it cause a bow was caught at local still water a few days ago and when the guy got it on the bank it spat out 3 sticklebacks

Supposed to be a stickleback streamer

[seanie]

Nice looking flies Brent,
A few years ago a friend of mine in the tackle business put me onto tying an orange grouse Matuka style for Lough Mask. It works great almost anytime there.

[Joey1]

Originally Posted by lvlacleod

Supposed to be a stickleback streamer

Nice fly mate, it has all the essentials for a bait pattern.
Along of the lines of the grey ghost matuka tied with a red throat hackle.

Originally Posted by seanie

Nice looking flies Brent,
A few years ago a friend of mine in the tackle business put me onto tying an orange grouse Matuka style for Lough Mask. It works great almost anytime there.

Would love to see that one seanie. Would you be able to put up a pic of one?