Buzzers
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Here at Kindale we love a good buzzer, its where we started! Easiest fly to tie and can produce some hard takes on the water. Buzzers are a key part of a trouts diet and a great pattern to fish all season round.
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What are Buzzers?
Buzzers are a cornerstone of fly fishing in the UK, particularly in stillwaters like lakes, reservoirs, and ponds. Imitating the pupal stage of chironomid midges, buzzers are highly effective year-round due to their abundance and their importance in a trout’s diet. Simple yet deadly, they are a must-have for any angler.
Chironomid pupae are a consistent food source in UK waters, with activity peaking during spring and early summer. As they rise from the lakebed to the surface during their transformation, they are easy prey for trout. Buzzers mimic this stage, offering a realistic and tempting target.
Buzzers have a slim profile designed to replicate the streamlined body of chironomid pupae. Natural colours like black, olive, claret, and brown are the most reliable, often with red or silver highlights. A silver or holographic rib adds visual appeal and imitates the segmented body of the pupa, while bright cheeks, often orange or white, mimic the natural features of the chironomid pupa.
Buzzers are best fished slowly to allow them to drift naturally, imitating the pupae’s ascent through the water column. A slow or even static retrieve is key. Allow the fly to sink to the desired depth and then retrieve with small, gentle pulls to imitate movement. Patience often yields the best results. A floating line with a long leader, typically 10-15 feet, is ideal for fishing buzzers at various depths without over-complicating your rig. Suspending buzzers beneath an indicator (commonly referred to as a bung) is effective, especially during colder months when trout are less active. This tactic keeps the flies perfectly still in the strike zone. Buzzers are often fished in teams of two or three, spaced along the leader. This approach covers multiple depths, simulating a range of pupae in different stages of their ascent. A heavier point fly helps sink the rig, while the droppers imitate pupae higher in the water column.
The best times to fish buzzers are during peak buzzer hatches in spring and early summer, when the water is warm and the trout are actively feeding. Evening rises often signal buzzers ascending, making it the perfect time to fish them just under the surface. Buzzers remain effective even in colder months when other flies may fail. In winter, fish them slow and deep for the best results.
Popular buzzer patterns include the classic Black Buzzer, a reliable choice for imitating the most common pupae, the Red Holo Buzzer, which adds flash for low-light conditions or stained water, and the Olive Buzzer, ideal for waters with a greenish hue. The Biot Cheek Buzzer features bright, glowing cheeks that often trigger strikes.
To succeed with buzzers, it’s important to match the hatch. Observe the size and colour of the pupae in the water and choose a size 12 or 14 black buzzer for a reliable starting point. Keeping your buzzer patterns slim is key, as slimmer flies are generally more effective. Experiment with different depths by adjusting your leader length or sink rate to find the zone where trout are feeding.
Buzzers are a simple yet effective fly that works across all skill levels. Whether you fish them static under a bung or as part of a slow retrieve, they mimic a key food source that trout simply can’t resist. Mastering buzzer fishing will significantly improve your success in UK waters, making it a vital technique for any angler.