Tasmanian Devil
Curtis - July, 2020
Iwas introduced to the Tassie Devil pattern while preparing for the World Fly Fishing Championships last fall in Tasmania, Australia. Team USA had the luxury of learning from our skilled guide, Maxim Vereshaka. Max recommended we have the pattern tied and ready to fish since it has proven to be effective in their waters and as such is a staple for many Australian competitors. Wanting to hit the ground running, I tied a few dozen in various hook and bead sizes so I could gain confidence in the pattern while pre-fishing for the championship. The devil delivered as promised. It was my best nymph on the rivers of Tasmania.
Once home, I had several Tasmanian Devils taking up space in one of my nymph boxes and I tried them on my local picky tailwater fish. To my surprise (and delight) the fish loved the pattern. It seemed especially effective when the water was very cold. I had a few fishing days and one guide day where they liked the pattern so much I ended up fishing two devils at a time since the fish seemed to prefer it to most other patterns.
As you can see, the Tasmanian Devil is another example of a pure attractor. No, it doesn’t imitate anything. It doesn’t need to, fish love it.
- Hook: Hanak H 400 BL Jig Hook - 16
- Bead: Hanak Metallic+ Slotted Tungsten Beads - Light Pink - 3.0mm
- Bead (option #2): Fulling Mill Slotted Tungsten Beads - Metallic Light Pink - 2.8 mm
- Bead (option #2): Hareline Slotted Tungsten Beads - Metallic Light Pink - 7/64" (2.8mm)
- Thread: UTC Ultrathread 70 Denier - Olive
- Tag: Glo-Brite Floss - Fl. Fire Orange #5
- Body: Hareline Dubbin - Hare's Ear
- Rib: UTC Ultra Wire - Copper - Small
- Collar: Nature's Spirit CDC - Medium Slate Dun
- Thorax: SLF Prism Dubbing - Peacock
- Thorax (option #1): Ice Dub - Peacock
- Alternate CDC: Nature's Spirit CDC - Medium Dun
- Alternate CDC: Nature's Spirit CDC - Light Gray Dun
- Tools Used: Dubbing Wax, Stonfo Comb/Brush Tool, Loon Low Tack Swax,
