This pattern came out of a book (Caddis Superhatches) and although is more of a pain to tie than the previous pupa pattern it is nevertheless very effective and another that should be carried. This is the only fly recommended here that is not available commercially.The small halo at the rear of the fly becomes highly reflective when wet and the smaller CDC wing is great on fish in slow water. Can be tied in a heap of colours but this is our favourite one. This pattern needs to be regularly dried and so loses a few points for the maintenance factor. The wing makes a good sighter in most types of water.

A great fly that absolutely slays them on the Goulburn. Tied in very small hook sizes this pattern accounts for lots of fish every spring and would be one of Geoff Hall's favourite's. The trailing shuck and small elk hair wing are features. The parachute hackle can be left out of this for a more effective fly in very slow water although refusals are quite rare when they are on caddis near to the top i.e. actually taking the emerging to adult stage and also when chomping on adults. A great each way bet this fly allows a solid imprint of size, shape and colour to be presented to the fish thanks to its low riding characteristics. Five out of five.

This sedge pattern is a good Goulburn river fish taker. The shaggy appearance and low riding body make for an affective fly when fish are crash-tackling grannoms dopping down the river. In the smaller hook sizes this pattern can imitate a variety of caddis species and in smoother water I simply trim back the 'hackle' so that the fly is less bulky. A bit of gink will ensure that it floats in almost any sort of water. It works well on its own or as an indicator. The body colour can be varied to match your local insects but we seem to have most success with beiges and tans. A must have pattern that elbowed its way onto this list via a number of years of consistent results.

 The rust coloured version of the same fly featured above. Another classic and one that we always carry in sizes twelve through sixteen. Again the same great characteristics of the fly above but in a darker colour.

Versions of this fly have been around forever and I remember Geoff tying up versions in 1996 (of course he didn't have a name for them) and bagging out on Arthur's and Little Pine over in Tasmania. The smaller version in a size 16 should be carried on the Goulburn and fished with confidence through that early part of the evening hatch. A reliable pattern that catches fish often enough to make this list.

A comparadun tie that represents a species of dun that occurs early every year on the Goulburn. Larger sizes work well with twelve's and fourteens needed to imitate this large insect. Low riding but a good floater this fly loses some marks because of the fact that the hatch is not a consistent one and therefore the fly doesn't work for long. However it should be noted that when this hatch is going on you should fish the Goulburn without them at your own peril.

One of Bruce Gibson's exquisitely tied dry flies for tassie this pattern has found a home here for kossie dun feeders on last light. The colours are totally wrong but the size and shape are not. Factor in that these bugs occur on last light and usually in fast water and you have a fly that works very well despite some handicaps. A trimmed hackle beneath the hook with buoyant tail fibres this fly floats high and dry and should be carried from late October onwards.

It wouldn't be a complete list without a spent spinner. I have left off the actual spinner tie (Macquarie Red) because I have a lot more success fishing with the spent on the Goulburn than the actual spinner pattern. This fly has all the key elements. Splayed out wings that sit flush in the film and unlike many commercial ties they are correctly sparse. The colour is perfect and in a size fourteen they should always be close at hand, especially on warm evenings when that sun is starting to drop in the afternoon sky. Four stars from me.

Did you hear that? Was that thunder? Soon we will be getting our regular spring thunderstorms and with it will come these flying ants and some of the best dry fly fishing you will ever see. Every fish gets onto them and having a suitable imitation will make the difference between insanity and a few fish. I have seen people lose the plot in thirty minutes of fishing to these ultra-picky feeders. Carry a few of these around and be prepared. Just make sure you are not waving your rod around near me when the lightning starts!