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[aks19]

Im a bit of a neeby both to the forum and to the sport.
but I've been taught by some cool people who have happily taught me a lot.
but my question is this, if you saw someone fishing with a fly that is.... a zonker strip, a size 8 hook, that has been tied in an ingenious way an it make a swimming motion throught the water and has been nicknamed a leech it is 3.5inches long and an amazing catcher, would you be happy with tehse being used on your local water or would you want them off?

[Miles]

Interesting question Aks
Welcome to the forum by the way. There seem to be quite a few different opinions as to what fly patterns are acceptable and what aren't. I'm no expert, but in my patchy angling career I'd say that the leech above is okay, maybe a bit big ?!?! But that depends on the size of the fish !!
There are purists who will only fish dries 'on the top', others who'll only fish 'traditional flies', those that will pull bright 'attractor' lures on sinking lines and some, like me, who'll try a variety of things from foam 'bugs' to all of the above, if thats what seems to be catching.
I think the thing that differentiates fly fishing from other angling is that the patterns are artificial and that we're not using bait. There are patterns, old and new, that look quite fly-like and others, including traditionals, that look like nothing in the natural world. Personally I don't think fishing is about whether one thing or the other is right or wrong, unless it concerns cruelty to the fish, upsetting the natural balance or ruining others chance of a good days fishing, now or in the future. If someone wants to drag half a rabbit across the water, then that's their choice, just don't frighten the fish off anyone else's fishing area, don't hurt or damage the fish or the surroundings. Some fisheries do have rules though on type and size of flies, so check with the owners/operators too - its their water after all.
Good luck.

[aks19]

the main point about the flies in question is that they arent of competition size but our fishery doesnt fish by competition rules, , I'm like you miles, ill try anything, from foam bugs-dryflies on a 4 weight, usually a 6-7weight though.

[Old Smoothound]

I would just like to add my ten pence worth.

If your Bunny Leech is catching fish then that's ok and it is within fishery rules, it is the traditional type angler who will mind if you are using that kind of fly, especially if they are using traditional wets and not getting a take

I have fished all kinds of waters with many different types of fly, including the bunny leech, in fact I remember one visit to a lake near Lechlade during the winter, when all that could be caught tha day were Big Brownies looking for fry and the bunny leech fitted the bill perfectly and my pal an I "bagged up" when all around us were failing.

My pal and I developed a fly called the "Magic Rabbit" especially for early season stock fish and for late season fry feeders. "Rabbit because that's what it is made from "Magic" because it turned a fishless session into a fruitfu as if by magic!

So, the moral is, use whatever fly you want to so long as it is within fishery rules. You pay your money to enjoy your day out and if thats how you want to fish, then so be it.