Dobson Fly Nymph or Toe-biter | New Zealand Trout Food

The Dobson fly (Archichauliodes diversus )or Toe-biter nymph has become a very important fly pattern in my fly box come early season. This large predatory native insect is found through out New Zealand's more hard bottomed , stony rivers and streams and can be found in their larger bouldery sections. Dobson fly larvae are typically 25-38mm mm long and have a black, flattened thorax and head. The head has a large set of serrated mandibles that it uses to catch other aquatic invertebrates which may include most species of mayfly, caddis and each other ! It has 8 tentacle like gills on each side of it's abdomen and 2 hook like legs near it's tail which it uses to attach itself to rocks and hold onto it's prey.

The below Dobson fly or Toe-biter nymph pattern has proved it's worth time and time again during the early stages of the season, especially after heavy rain has fallen. I tie it both weighted and unweighted and in sizes #4-#10 and fish it on it's own along the shallow bouldery edges or tied on behind a Tungsten bomb if I need to get it down in deeper faster water.

Well the new season is almost here and I'm starting to get excited ! I still have a few days free each month if your looking for any guided days so feel free to contact me at any stage.

Tightlines !

Paul