Daddies - Daddy Long Legs Trout Fly Patterns
Crane flies (Tipulidae) are commonly known as daddies or daddy-long legs. A major characteristic of the cranefly is its long legs, these become shed very easily if they are trapped or handled. Adults are often found near water, grass or rank vegetation.
Daddies Fishing Techniques
Use a floating flyline and tapered leader to present your Daddy fly pattern neatly to trout and carp. Try daddies floating near margins or use a beadhead daddy with a slow retrieve or suspend under a Thingamabobber for stunning resuilts from July to October. Daddies are highly varied, look carefully at the colours and sizes of Daddly Longlegs or craneflies as they flutter about the margins and try and match the size reasonably closely.
.JPG)
.JPG)
At certain time of year grasshoppers become abundant a wind will blow these wonderful fish snacks onto the waters. A delicate presentation is not critical, because even big selective trout are looking for the tell-tale splat of this helpless terrestrial as it flops into their eating zone, this we imitate with terrestrial flies. Bristol Hoppers as terrestrial fly patterns are big flies and you can use short leaders that are easy to cast. Even if a hopper has been chewed on a few times, the fish don't seem to mind. Grasshoppers can swim by kicking their hind legs in unison, using the same method as they employ when jumping. This can be mimicked by fishing the fly on the surface and retrieving it with short sharp pulls. Continue for about three feet and then let your fly drift for 20 seconds before recommencing a retrieve as this imitates the grasshopper having a rest.
