Black and Green Marabou Marabou style flies are now sold in just about every colour imaginable. Tied to imitate a small fish or freshwater crayfish the Black and Green marabou is one of the most popular colours sold. Marabou comes not from the marabou stalk but rather from turkeys. When wet it has a pulsing sinuous character when drawn through the water. Whereas a fly tied from marabou feathers looks like nothing a fish would care to eat until it is transformed by water; which compresses the plumes.
This one of the easiest lure patterns of all to tie and is a great pattern for beginners to start out on.
As mentioned there are numerous versions of marabou lures with the most popular being Black Marabou, Green and Black, and Kemsley's Marabou. Generally the black winged versions are considered excellent night flies. The yellow and olive winged patterns are standard day patterns, while the loud pinks; orange and fluorescent colours are used to target winter rainbows in the central North Island.
Gary Kemsley's version features a black marabou wing. Tail black marabou tied over red wool. Body: light olive chenille. Gary 's Green Marabou is sold commercially and is a renowned fish catcher. According to New Zealand's Best Trout Flies compiled by Peter Scott, Gary designed it for night fishing around stream mouths at Lake Taupo . His aim was to create a streamer fly which could be cast over and over without the tail wrapping around the hook, would attract trout gathering around stream mouths prior to their spawning runs, and would imitate the locally abundant crayfish.
This is a great lake fishing pattern. It is idea for fishing both change of light and after dark. Retrieve in a short slow stop start motion.
The simplest method is to tie first tie in the tail. Next tie in chenille and wrap around either one third of the way down the hook shank, or if using a smaller hook, wrap the chenille half way down the hook. Tie in the trimmed marabou, and then repeat. If desired a tinsel rib can be tied in at the same time as the tail and wrapped around the hook to the head after tying in the wings.
A hackle collar the same colour as the wing colour may also be added before tying off and cementing the head but most versions despence with this.
Thread: Black.
Hook: Mustad 3666 or Black Magic B series size 2-8 Tail:
Red wool, Glo-bug yarn, or red Poly Yarn.
Body: Green chenille. Rib: Gold or silver (optional).
Wing: Black marabou tied in two or three stages.
See also tying other central North Island trout lures including: Ginger Mick, Taupo Tiger, Parsons' Glory and Yellow Lady. Return to: New Zealand Feathered Trout Lures.
