Description
Fly Type: This is a dry fly, specifically a "minimalist" or "emerger" style pattern. The F-Fly (also known as the "Farnborough Fly") is designed to imitate a variety of small, dark aquatic insects, most often a midge or a small mayfly dun or emerger. Its sparse dressing and upright wing of deer or CDC hair effectively mimic the silhouette of a struggling insect just breaking through the surface film.
Best Suited For: The F-Fly is exceptionally effective for trout (brown, rainbow, and brook trout) and grayling. It shines when fish are rising subtly to small insects, often referred to as "sipers" or "head-and-tail rises," indicating they are feeding on emergers or duns caught in the surface film.
Best Time to Fish: This fly can be effective year-round, as small midges and mayflies are often present. However, it excels during periods of heavy midge hatches in late autumn, winter, and early spring, and during sparse mayfly hatches in spring and summer. It's particularly useful on calm, clear days or during low-light conditions when a delicate presentation is required.
Water Type: This is a freshwater fly.
Where to Fish: The F-Fly is best fished on stillwaters, spring creeks, and slow-moving rivers where insects emerge gently and fish have ample time to inspect flies. Look for slick, glassy water where the fish's rises are noticeable but the insects themselves are tiny and hard to see.
Other Value: The F-Fly is prized for its simplicity and realistic profile. It's often the go-to pattern when fish are "locked on" to tiny insects and ignoring flashier, bulkier flies. Its excellent buoyancy, due to the natural oils in the deer hair or CDC, allows it to float well with minimal dressing. It's an indispensable pattern for discerning trout.