ALDER

One of the oldest flies still around, the Alder has been fished for hundreds of years. Developed in Europe to imitate the Aderfly (Sailis Lutaria) this pattern has done well in both river and lake systems. In South Africa, depending on the way one fishes the fly, this pattern can imitate and suggest a host of different food items. Fished faster on a sinking line, this could suggest a tiny baitfish, whereas fishing the Alder on a floating line could imitate a snail, emerger or caddis. We would fish it in a team, opting for a 2 or 3 fly rig, and  can be fished year-round.