Our members fly patterns make up a significant component of the Tasmanian created flies, both historical as well as in their current forms.

From the legendary vises of Max Christensen, Noel Jetson and Dick Wigram to the amazing creations of Charles Peck, Ivan Iles, John Dekkers and many more, this page is dedicated to those who wish to pass on their inventions and notes and creativity for the betterment of all fly fishers in Tasmania.

Hook: Wide gape down eye size 10 or 12.

Body: Dubbed brush possum body fur.

Hackle: Main hackle - one quail feather. Sub hackle - small ginger/black to match body colour.

Prepare the quail hackle by separating the fibres with a needle point – this is important as the fibres tend to cling together and if not treated will not produce a good hackle.

Tie in butt first and wind forward to the hook eye.

Tie in a small ginger/black hackle to match the body colour and wind back through the quail hackle.

Tie off behind the previous and then tie another similar ginger/black hackle and wind this hackle at the rear of the previous hackles and hard against them.

Tier: Ivan Iles

The MOART was developed about the same time as the ‘Mother Of All Bombs’ or MOAB’s were being dropped on Iraq.

The name was adapted to the MOART or Mother Of All Red Tags which has been bombed around the central plateau lakes ever since, particularly during the peak dry fly months.

The MOART is a modest departure from the original Red Tag or ‘Worcestershire Gem’ developed by Martyn Flynn from England around 1850. Jim Allen is known to use a #6 ‘Battleship’ and the MOART may not be dissimilar to this fly. I prefer to use a more ‘subtle’ size #8 instead of #6.

The Red Tag is a highly effective non descript pattern that is rightly placed as one of the most popular Australian fly patterns. A lot has been much written about what it represents and beetles seem to be the general consensus. The shape, size and colour of both body and tag could provide a fair representation of a variety of beetles species found in Tasmania.

This fly is a good floater and ideal for the rougher conditions which can sometimes prevail on the central plateau. Perhaps one of the main features of this fly is it’s attention grabbing properties and the fly’s bulk provides an illusion of a substantial meal for the trout. It is a handy bob fly in a loch style trio, and often gets taken in lieu of the more discreet trailing flies.

The fly was designed for durability. I find the peacock dubbing closely resembles the herl, but consider it to be more durable. The foam underbody helps bulk the fly out without adding weight. The most common hook size and type that I utilize is the Black Magic E Series #8 (1x Short Shank). I think the wide gape assists in hooking.

I fish the fly confidently and a review of my diary revealed that it has accounted for approximately 30% of captures during the past few seasons.

Tier: Gary Baird

Tied in two styles : dark or light.

Hook: 12 or 14.

Tail: Dark chocolate cock hackle fibres.

Ribbing and Body: Brown tying silk.

Palmer Hackle: Very small brown hackle for the darker pattern, very small grizzly hackle for the lighter pattern.

Wing: A strip of oak turkey wing quill, 1 ½” by ½” for hook size 12, 1 ½” by 3/8” for hook size 14.

Hackle: One dark chocolate and one grizzly cock hackle wound together.

Fly Notes: This photographed fly and tying notes of this famous fly have been supplied by Charles Peck, club member and originator of this pattern.