After much consultation and field testing, Jason and I have been piecing together proven materials to construct a simple but effective Murray Cod Fly.

Over the years we’ve trialled many fly patterns and have caught fish on just about every weird fly design. We have discovered that certain materials and patterns have started to emerge as constant fish producers.

Cod are one of those species that for the most part tend to be a frustrating species to pursue. Very rarely do find “them on the chew”. Being like most Aussie native fish, they’re very sensitive to barometer levels, water temp and turbidity.

 Any one of the unfavourable listed variables will send them sulking deep under the comfort of their favourite snag. We have learnt that the most consistent fish producing patterns have had inbuilt movement and pulse without being threatening. We found that one of the most effective fishing methods is to simply let the fly pulse and sink seductively under snags. The technique is similar to nymph fishing on a flowing Trout stream. But the one difference is the mandatory installation of heavy duty snag guards. Although, I do like the durability and water shedding qualities of synthetic materials, we’ve found natural furs and feathers to be more effective. Here’s a list of materials needed to tie up an ideal and successful, New England Cod Fly.

Hook – 3/0 Gamakatsu Siwash, very strong, large gape and super sharp. With longer and select grade marabou feathers, then look to upgrade to a 4/0 Siwash.

Weighted Eyes – X large bead chain, or alternate with the use of 3/16 I-Balz. Have a selection of varied weighted eyes, depending on water depth and current flow.

Tail – Strung marabou. Look for quality marabou in the longer lengths, better still go for UV enhanced feathers.

Flash – Gliss ‘N Glow and UV Sparkle flash. Tie in a small amount of Gliss ‘N Glow, then add Ultraviolet Sparkle Flash. We’ve had very positive results using UV flash materials in low visibility conditions.

Body – Rabbit fur crosscut

Collar – Arctic fox fur crosscut.

Snag guard – 60lb plastic coated multi strand steel trace. Alternative is a hard mono leader material 55lb – 60lb. In a sprig or front loop configuration.

Tying Tips

Lay thread base down, then smear super glue along thread wraps. Add super glue around weighted eyes, I then mix epoxy with superfine glitter.  Cover between eyes and over weed guard.

After our last successful expedition pursuing the local Cod, Jason was keen to see if our fish were still in the mood. With a repaired boat and a bunch of prototype fly’s requiring testing, it wouldn’t take long before his questions would be answered. From the first shallow hole, we started to accumulate a tally of eager fish, small fish at first, but Jason managed to find a 70cm specimen. His reward for a high risk cast deep into a snag.

After another eleven fish, I’m confident to say that we’re starting to work out the tactics and fly’s required to succeed when targeting Murray Cod on Fly.

Fly choice is the key component and often the fly will draw a response before any movement is applied. We will be working on fly design, materials and weed guard construction in the upcoming posts.                                Nick

Out of desperation, Jason and I organised a floatboat trip onto my local waters. The rivers are currently in a transition period and starting to slowly recover from constant flooding, it had been a long time since we had both held a flyrod and we were keen to gather video footage of our fishing adventures.

It was soon discovered that Jason’s floatboat had somehow developed a hole; still this wouldn’t be enough to deter us. We quickly discovered that our flybox of synthetic fatboys and rattling flys would be of no use today. It was time for the subtle approach, drifting a black zonic under snags had worked before and once again provided success for us.

By having various styles of flys, such as reaction, flashy, subtle and surface, you can turn a quiet day into something special. A tally of 15 healthy cod proves that it pays to adapt to the situation at hand. I hope you enjoy the video clip.                  Nick

I’ve put together a short video on chasing Murray Cod on surface flies. I know the fish featured here are only small, but the basic principals apply for larger fish. You can see the varied responses to the fly from implosions, explosions and subtle sips. Very loud surface poppers and overzealous working of the fly can often promote an aggressive reaction; instead what we we’re looking for is a feeding response.

I like surface flies that sit low in the water, such as James’s “Big Poppa”. Another method I like to employ is to bulk flies up by adding silicone skirts, zonker fur tails, polar and palmer chenille bodies. This method helps the fly maintain water tension and stops the fly from being pushed away during a Cod strike.

In the video, you can see how I tend to fish a snag fairly quickly; often it’s just two or three casts and move on. Active fish will reply to the fly within the first few casts, also remembering surface fishing has only a short window of opportunity.

Since the videos construction I have worked on obtaining consistent volume levels using the external microphone. I don’t want to even mention the missed footage of my first Golden Perch taken on a popper.

It is also worth noting that here in the New England were experiencing an unbelievable weather cycle transformation, at the moment our rivers are enduring constant flooding from heavy rainfall. No doubt future fishing will only improve with the abundance of water.              Nick

I’ve finally put together some video footage, taken with my recently purchased V.I.O Pov.Hd head camera. Hopefully this short clip will give people a better perspective of targeting Murray Cod on fly.

 The day started slowly with no surface activity, but considering the water is still quite cold it was understandable.  The change to sub surface flies and a sink tip flyline was the next logical choice.

Initially a 6/0 Fatboy fly provided some excitement, but after several failed hook up’s it was quickly changed to one of my favourite patterns.

 The ever reliable Gold Rattling Bendback fly landed the first fish for the morning, but I was still not convinced this was going to be the ideal fly.  

Picking up my spare Sage Bass rod, it was time to give one of Virty’s Kaos Cod fly’s a go.  The combination of a floating flyline and a black  “Zonic” provided instant  results, with the fish eager to smash it.  The casts still had to be placed deep under shaded structure to draw any interest, which is typical behaviour for native Murray Cod.   But by the day’s end, I had released 5 healthy New England Cod and hopefully captured some interesting footage.         Regards Nick

I must admit during winter I enjoy the warmth of my bed, so when Jason suggested an overnight fishing trip, I had my reservations. At the moment we’re experiencing some very chilly nights, followed by heavy frosts. Not your usual pleasant camping scenario. I knew but, after a few fish the cold conditions would hopefully be forgotten.

Working our float boats down through the narrow section it magically opened up to a 1 km long hole. It didn’t take long to work out the fish were very timid, even our favourite and proven flies failed. Pulling up for a yarn, we foraged through our fly boxes for salvation. The answer came in the form of a weed guarded 6/0 fatboy fly. It would be a case of repeated presentations to any likely areas.

Finally when the first cod raced from under a large boulder and engulfed the fly, more out of shock, I clean forgot to set the hook, resulting in a lost fish. It would take until midday before another eventual strike. Jason worked casts across the face of a large submerged bottlebrush, I drifted a 6/0 orange/red fatboy deep into the mallee of twisted limbs from the front. I was prepared for the strike this time and although it was only a small Murray cod, it lifted our spirits.

Upon reaching the end of the hole which looked very fishy indeed, deep water filtered under a series of bottlebrushes. The next fish was a feisty Golden Perch, which had no problems attacking the 150mm long fly. With only a few fish to show for the day’s effort and light fading fast, we headed back to set up camp for the night. A stock pile of timber and a roaring fire was first on the list, hopefully enough to see the night through.

After a good feed and a few laughs, we decided to call it a night, but upon rolling out my swag, I soon realised somehow I’d forgotten my -10 sleeping bag, I knew it was going to be a long night. The next morning the ground was a blanket of glittery white frost, nothing a strong cup of coffee and brekkie couldn’t fix. (Finding out later that night was -4)

Heading back to the river, we were keen to give the far end of the hole a thorough workout. The fish had shut down solid, but once again the tail of the pool produced results, Jason was rewarded with a nice Murray cod, pulled from under a huge log. The fly was a prototype, a mutated twin rattling clouser.

Battling through the shallow water and bottlebrush limbs, we explored further downstream. It looked ideal cod holding water, which was soon confirmed when I landed another small cod, this time on a black 6/0 fatboy.

It was a worthwhile trip and definitely an area we’ll be exploring more, but only after it warms up.             Nick

With rain forecasted for the New England over the next few days, today was my last chance to fish the rivers for some time. The water temps have really started to tumble, so I packed the polypropylene pants in for good measure. Fishing in a Floatboat without some sort of thermal protection can be very uncomfortable.

Several surface patterns were used during the morning period with no result, but that’s what winter surface fishing for cod can be like. One day diamonds, the next day dust! Battling my way downstream until I reached the next hole, it looked like a beauty with deep water and plenty of overhanging vegetation.

Changing to a 4/0 Rattling Clouser soon paid off, with a little teasing, the first fish finally felt the hook. A few quick photos and a measure (65 cm’s) he was gently released back under his snag.

The next fish was a cracker measuring in at 85cm’s (13kg Fisheries hand book guide), he was backed up under a single bottlebrush limb in only 2 feet of water.  I applied as much pressure as I dared with 20 lb tippet, but he still managed to make it back under his limb.  When he came out the other side, he rose up out of the water and performed two perfect tail walks that a Barra would have been proud of.

The last fish measured 74cm and was landed in a more conventional fashion, deep water under a heavily shaded bank. Fishing was rather tough considering the amount of water covered, but once again the quality of the fish made Winter fishing worthwhile.             Nick

With memories of that monster surface boil still etched in my mind, I was keen to see if old man Cod was still lurking under his favourite log.  Slinging the Floatboat pack onto my shoulders and the bare essentials in hand, I set off on the short 2km trek to reach the river.  Inflating the Incept boat took only a few minutes, this gave me time to work on a game plan.  I had been busy tying up lots of new Murray Cod flies and what better way to test them out.  The water temperature was still very pleasant as I finned the boat to the opposite side of the river, deciding to fish the shaded side of the river first.  It was quickly determined that the fish were still getting over the slightly turbid water, with cast after cast drawing no response.  By 1pm it was time for a different approach, it was time to try a Bendy roller popper.  Most consider surface fishing reserved for sunrise/sunset, not so.  Twenty minutes later the bet payed off, when a Cod flashed from under the fly.  It was like a cat playing with a mouse as it eyeballed and chased the fly, with just a few subtle twitches the rabbit strip tail wiggled seductively.  Bang fish on!, the strike was so fierce it pulled me forward from my seat.  Fighting these powerful natives on the flyrod is such a different feeling.  Slipping a glove on before thumb gripping (assured I didn’t end up with Cod thumb).  The tape revealed a length of 75cm’s, which according to the Fisheries handbook is equal to a 9 kilo fish.   Approaching “big Cod log”, I positioned my Floatboat so I could fire casts deep under the shaded bank, earlier I tried sub surface flies at him for no result.  But within two casts of the noisy popper he raced from under his log, slashing and tailing under the fly.  He then simply turned and vanished back under his log, I had a clear view of him and he looked to be at least 30lb maybe more. 

When I reached the end of the hole I was keen to prospect a bit further downstream, carrying the Floatboat down to the next narrow section.  I switched to another fly, a 6/0 Gurgler and fished it on a Rio Outbound short sink tip flyline.  It didn’t take long before the fly attracted the attention of a small Murray Cod that constantly flashed at the surface fly, before giving up.   Casting at a cluster of limbs when another fish emerged under the fly, with a few little twitches he decided the Gurgler was going to be his next meal.  The fish wasn’t that large, but he put up a strong and determined battle.  With failing light and dark clouds I deflated my boat, packed it away and headed back to my ute.  I will be experimenting with 6/0 Gurglers in the future, trying a combination of  floating flylines and sinking fluorocarbon leaders.                    Nick.