In 2019 I was asked to contribute Irish Sedge patterns for the "Don't Forget the Sedge" article in the August 2019 edition of Trout and Salmon magazine.
The article covered Sedge patterns used on the loughs in Summer, just after the Mayfly season. The Sedge, or Caddis, is a crucial part of the Trout's diet and fish will feed on all stages. Ireland is famous for Sedges, and imitations such as the Green Peter can be used from May to September.
My patterns covered the Chocolate Brown Sedge, the Chocolate Brown Sparkle CDC Sedge, the Green Peter Dry Sedge and the Hare's Ear Sedge.
The Chocolate Brown Sedge pattern has been working for several years on Lough Arrowm Mask and Corrib. I usually fish it in a smaller size when conditions are hard. It has accounted for one of my biggest lough Arrow brouwn trout, which weighed more than 6lb.
Materials:
- Hook: Size 12 - 15 Ahrex Super Dry (FW 502).
- Thread: Brown Semperfli Nano.
- Body: Chocolate brown Seal's fur.
- Underwing: Dark brown Semperfli poly yarn.
- Wing: Mallard Duck brown drake.
- Hackle: Chocolate brown.
The Chocolate Brown Sparkle CDC Sedge is a fly that I first tied six years ago for Lough Melvin. It won me two heats for the Lough Melvin Open in late August.
Materials:
- Hook: Size 14 - 16 Ahrex Dry Light (FW 502).
- Thread: Brown Semperfli Nano.
- Body: Chocolate brown Seal's fur.
- Underwing: Dark brown Semperfli poly yarn.
- Wing: Mallard Duck brown drake neck.
- Hackle: Chocolate brown CDC mixed with chocolate brown Seal's fur and pearl.
The Green Peter Dry Sedge is one for late nights on Lough Arrow when the Green Peter starts skating across the surface just before it gets dark. I usually tweak it back with great success.
Materials:
- Hook: Size 12 - 16 Ahrex Dry Fly (FW 500).
- Thread: Brown.
- Body: Brown-Olive Seal's fur mixed with Hare's ear.
- Underwing: Dark brown Semperfli poly yarn.
- Wing: Hen Mallard flank.
- Hackle: Red game.
- Horns: Two bronze Mallard fibres.
The Hare's Ear Sedge fishes well in parts of Lough Mask where a grey sedge hatches and the Trout feed hard on them in early August.
Materials:
- Hook: Size 14 - 16 Ahrex Dry Fly Light (FW 502).
- Thread: Brown Semperfli Nano.
- Butt: Mix of Glo-Brite no. 11 and 12, dubbed.
- Body: Dark Hare's Ear dubbing, brushed out.
- Underwing: Dark brown Semperfli poly yarn.
- Wing: Hen Mallard flank.
- Hackle: Red game.
- Horns: Two bronze Mallard fibres.
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Tight lines,
Jackie Mahon