Description
Fly Type: This is a classic wet fly or loch fly pattern, designed to imitate an aquatic insect or terrestrial bug.
Target Species: The Bibio is a deadly pattern for trout, especially rainbow trout in still waters. Its distinctive appearance makes it an excellent attractor fly.
Best Time to Fish: It is most effective from spring to autumn, particularly during the hawthorn fly hatch in late spring. This is when the terrestrial insect (the Bibio bug) is most abundant and often falls onto the water's surface, becoming an easy meal for fish.
Water Type: Primarily a freshwater fly.
Best Location: The Bibio is a staple for loch and lake fishing but can also be effective in slow-moving rivers or reservoirs. It's often fished from a boat or bank, retrieved slowly to imitate the movement of the natural insect.
Other Info: The Bibio's success lies in its simple, high-contrast design.
The Imitation: This fly is tied to imitate the hawthorn fly (Bibio marci), a common terrestrial insect that is often blown onto the water.
Key Features: The fly has a simple black body, a red or tail tag (a key attractor), and black hackle. The color contrast and the fly's silhouette are what make it stand out and provoke a strike.
Presentation: The Bibio is typically fished as a wet fly, often as part of a team of flies. It is best retrieved with a slow, steady pull or short, sharp strips to mimic a struggling insect on the surface.