Many fly anglers like Vinnie Versfeld and many others they choose to fish colours that meticulously match the Red claws, shrimp and bait-fish that Barramundi naturally encounter in the shallows or deep water. However, more times than not, the opportunistic Barramundi are willing to take a number of the fly patterns used in Murray cod fly fishing.

While Barramundi will typically take a bigger pattern, smaller patterns are easier to cast in the wind, try smaller versions of sub-surface flies, poppers and streamers. Colour combos for large and small profiles like olive/white, pink/white, and darker colours, such as, red/black, purple/ black that are commonly used for Murray cod can to be used with great success for Barramundi.

As Murray cod season is closed from the 1st of September to the 30th of November. For those that will travel or live in Barra country, don’t forget to pack a fine selection of kaos flies!

The talk of the day and weeks to come will be all about you landing a Murray cod on fly. Maybe you’re first time or the hundredth time, for me it’s always a great feeling and for your fishing partner as they get involved too by lip griping or netting the fish. The bug is hard to shake once you have landed a native on fly and the only thing you talk about is the last time you were out hooking up or the next time you can get out on the water chasing these magnificent green backs.

In your favor too around the camp fire while enjoying a yarn about how big you’re biggest is or the one that got away, is if you have caught a Murray Cod on fly and i can tell you now not too many anglers can say they have, you will always have a story to tell. This is why fly fishing for native’s but specialty Murray Cod is going to be the next big thing.

Great camp fire or as we say (bush TV) on a cold winter night and with the crackling of pork on the Oz spit, corn, baked spuds and home made gravy….Nights like these where else would you be? I can tell you doesn’t get much better than this. Up on the rise my Jeep kitted out with Ironman awning – LED lights and swag with a great view of the river once lift my head from my pillow!

Cooking up a storm after a hard night watching bush TV, the sweet hot coals from the night before makes a good base to cook morin tucker! In the back ground ready to launch SteveO’ boat load with the assault of fly rods and tackle to land any green back….

Rattling Deceiver!

An old style designed fly; the Lefty Deceiver has been around a-long time and a very effective fly. Cod Deceiver is made up of multiple Materials also tied on a 5/0 Owner hook and may even have tied to the shank of the hook a (Rattle Collar). The deceiver is very versatile fly; this also can be fished on 3 different fly class’s floating, intermediate and sinking. Water depth plays a big part on this fly on how it’s fished. Floating lines best cast from the bank while walking and the other 2 lines most effective off the boat but may be used off the bank of any river or lake. Using floating line off the bank reduces the fly from getting hang up or snagged on structure while striping the fly back. Cod Deceiver has a high pulsating action when striped. The fly will slim down to a bait fish profile when striped; but once it’s paused it blows out to its dry natural looking body. A slow to medium sink rate fly and can be cast with a #8 or #10 weight set up it’s just another one to have in your fly box.

Recipe: 5/0 Rattling Deceiver

5/0 Owner hook
210 Denier Flat Wax Nylon
Hour Glass Brass Eyes – 7/32
25mm Rattle Collar
Strung Rooster Saddles Long – Black
Whiting Grizzly
Buck tail – Black
Sparkle Flash – Red
Marabou Plumes Select – Red
Loon Outdoors Water-Base Head Cement

Dr Slick – Ceramic Bobbins – Dr Slick – Scissors

Fly fishing is art! There is an innate beauty in a fly cast. There is a sense of satisfaction and wellbeing that comes from standing in a river or on the river bank. A rhythmic cast of a fly line back and forth. It’s a sense of being in time with nature, in tune with the solitude of the great outdoors being a part of the whole sentry. The fly line gilding through the air, unrolling, seems weight­less as it appears to defy the law of gravity. Fly casting has a poetic nature all on its own, there is a connection here; it’s with the heart of the game.

In fly casting we attempt to cast an almost weightless artificial fly, made of feathers, hair and thread. To target and present that fly in a manner that will imitate a natural food source. In Fly Casting the line itself is the weight and the fly is along for the ride.

I have spent just over 5 years learning and yet there is always more to learn. Every step of the way has been enjoyable just pure fun and accomplishment. It’s not hard anyone can do it. It just takes a little practice. The only difference between a good fly caster and a Master is practice!

Flicking a fly rod around it’s very important to get the fly in the right location, close to the structure. A fallen tree, weed-beds, rock points also casting very close and tight against the bank. Surface fishing flies hard up against the bank in a foot or 2 of water is a blast; the strike is instance, with the cod attacking the fly as soon as it hits the water. A shot gun sound rings though your ears and the commutation of a crocodile drag a deer in to the water is how I can explain it.

Murray cod lurking the warm water edge looking for a free feed is common at winter time. On occasions I have seen the dorsal fin of a Murray cod in the shallows chasing bait fish, shrimp, yabbies or waiting for that unfortunate of a frog leaping in to the water. Vibrations, movement and noise on the water is what the cod is after, not a huge racket but enough to get the cods attention to make him interest. Late cool evenings and right in to the early hours of the morning is a prime time to pull out your rod and give surface fishing ago. Calm waters with no wind or breeze, not even a slight ripple on the water makes exciting surface fishing during winter!

Winter weather conditions such as; Barometer – rising or falling, warm winter days, wind direction though out the day; moon phases, fog and fly placement. A falling barometer I personally like and with that I hit the water fishing at its lowest point. Combined with a moon phase in the 75% to 85% range, which is 3 or 4 days before a full moon.

Striping the fly back with quick tight strips in a straight line – keeping the rod tip close to the water surface, may resemble a frog trying to get back to a safe place. Tie a loop knot to connect to the fly as this allows free swimming action of the fly. Pause the fly and if you wish count down several seconds to, this may be the difference to no strike to a big boof! These techniques’ work fantastic with a floating line but can have a similar affect using an intermediate line. Effective way of fishing surface is by using a floating line with mono leader. The mono line sinks enough; so when the fly is striped quick the fly will naturally go under the water surface and make a gulp, noise. Once you have stopped it will resurface like a small injured animal as it tries to grasps for air. The fly leave’s a bubble trail behind it with this technique with floating line but even larger if it was striped with intermediate line.

The talk of the day and weeks to come will be all about you landing a fish on fly. Maybe you’re first time or the hundredth time, for me it’s always a great feeling and for your fishing partner as they get involved too by netting the fish.

Fly place essentially can be anywhere in summer period’s to a point! – Winter times close to any kind of structure recommended E.g…standing timber, weed beds, submerged structure and undercut banks! Why I’ve said close casting and accurate casting is a must; the time I’ve spent targeting these fish is that way would casting wont land you fish. Murray cod have moved from their normal haunts and on search for a feed; cod still like to have cover close by if they ever feel intimidated. So by casting at structure you’re eliminated time wasting and casting where the cod are! If you have the opportunity to schedule your fishing session around all these factors; then the next time on the water I would hope you’ll have the best chance of landing that big green back.

Within explaining all this, being 100% accurate is not necessary; Murray cod react with lighting speed in a short distance. A meter either side of the structure no more…will entice a strike. Repetitive casting at the same spot will give you another chance on casting the fly closer to raise a hit. In a scenario in tight skinny water, accurate and controlled casting is need. Colours and styles of fly to cast will depend on the day just like if you were casting spinner baits; it’s the same principle. Local knowledge on the area is paramount; receiving any information about the location you’re going to fish is very valuable. Anglers that might have been casting spinner baits in stent colours and having good success the same colours can be used in any fly style.

A large profile and the slowest sink rate fly in the Kaos range for its size. The Hoodlum is tied up with several different materials’ and one of the main features the Fish Mask head. Like all Kaos flies – the Hoodlum is tied with the best products and on a 5/0 Owner hook. Bucktail, synthetic materials and Whiting Farms as it’s a premier producer of highest quality hackle. A contrast of colours tied in with sparkle flash just the right amount to attract the fish. Very large profiles the Hoodlum will slim down to a baitfish pattern once wet and keep that profile when striped as well. As this fly sinks quite slowly; it can be worked for a longer time. Hovering over rocky points close to timber structure and big boulders, it acts like an injured bait fish struggling to swim. Floating and intermediate fly line are the 2 preferred sink rates. You’ll be able to fish any of your favourite depth of water. When the fish are quite or holding tight in the water column the Hoodlum will hover long enough in the zone to entice a reaction from the fish. Tied in 4 colours you’re sure to find a designed colour to meet your fishing requirements.

Recipe: 5/0 Hoodlum

5/0 Owner Hook
210 Denier Flat Wax Nylon – White
Streamer Hair – White & Red
Sparkle Flash – Arctic Pearl
Grizzly – Natural & Yellow
Buck Tail – FL.Yellow
Fish-Mask #10
Eyes 10mm
Loon Outdoors Water-Base Head Cement

Dr Slick – Ceramic Bobbins – Dr Slick – Scissors

The spill on the fishing hot spots, tips and techniques! The Loddon River has an endless amount of water to fish and explore. Walking the banks casting to find those deep holes or kayaking to get in those tighter spots that are not excusable from the bank, you are sure to find a hot spot. Boating can be restricting to the amount of water you can fish, it all depends on what size vessel you may have and what hard yards you’re willing to do.

Murray cod lurking the water edge looking for a free feed is common. Vibrations, movement and noise on the water is what the cod is after, not a huge racket but enough to get the cods attention to make him interest.

Manipulating our flies’ surface or sinking in to a bait-fish pattern, reptiles, frog, moth, mouse or any sort of insect or in fact a small bird that may have landed on the water surface… Natural presented and well placed flies to provoke a magic surface strike. Surface fishing big flies can be a little intimidating but very rewarding at the same time. Stripping the fly slowly as it dart off left and right, you’ll get the effect with a clinch knot and can have a similar effect with a loop knot. Only move the fly short distances then pause and repeated with more twitches. By striping the line back this way it gives the motion of a injured a animal. Striping the line back with quick strips in a straight line may resemble a frog or any other mammal on the water trying to get back to a safe place, with this retrieve you’ll need to tie a loop knot. These techniques’ work fantastic with a floating line but can have a similar affect using an intermediate line. As winter closes in the larger Murray cod will be on the move. As the action on the water might not be KAOS, the rewards will be more fulfilling with a huge cod inhaling down your fly!