Top 3 go-to dries?
Parachute Adams / Purple Haze, Klinkhåmer, Shuttlecock Emerger (#14–18).
Quick Answers
Best size & tippet?
#14–18 on 5X–6X. In glassy windows, drop to #18–20 and lengthen tippet.
When to use an emerger?
Sips/bulges or refusals to high riders. Film-riders convert soft feeders.
Updated: · By Shayne Prinsloo
Top Patterns by Pro Guide
Clear, technical water rewards smart choices. These are our most consistent dries/emersers across Laverpa, Valley of the Rainbow, and nearby venues.
1) Parachute Adams (incl. Purple Haze)
Versatile mayfly that produces year-round—especially in afternoon hatches at Laverpa.
- Size: 14–16 · Window: late morning → sunset
- Water: Still/slow · Colours: naturals, Purple Haze
2) Klinkhåmer
Film-riding emerger—deadly in calm or chop. Use 5X–6X and set quickly.
- Size: 14–18 · Time: all day · Colours: olive, tan, black
3) Shuttlecock Emerger
Sits in the film—stealth with 5X–6X; gentle strip strike.
- Size: 14–18 · Time: all day · Colours: olive, tan, black
4) VR Caddis
Signature Valley of the Rainbow pattern—high-floating yet natural in the film.
- Size: 12–16 · Time: all day · Tippet: 5X–6X · Colour: tan
5) Griffith’s Gnat
Sipping midges on slicks and calm edges; covers wind-blown food too.
6) Stimulator (Orange/Yellow)
Aggro trigger for bigger fish; excellent dry-dropper anchor.
7) Hoppers
All-day confidence fly; pairs perfectly with a #16–18 dropper (#8–12).
8) Foam Daddy (Crane Fly)
High-floating terrestrial for banks, reeds, and inflows; easy to see.
Quick Compare
| Pattern | Sizes | Best Window | Go-to Colours | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Parachute Adams / Purple Haze | #14–16 | Late AM–sunset | Grey, Purple | Afternoon mayfly rises |
| Klinkhåmer | #14–18 | All day | Olive, Tan, Black | Film-rider; quick set |
| Shuttlecock Emerger | #14–18 | All day | Olive, Tan | Delicate takes; strip-strike |
| VR Caddis | #12–16 | All day | Tan | High float; natural in film |
| Griffith’s Gnat | #16–20 | Calm/light chop | Black/peacock | Midge sippers |
Pro Tips
- Watch the fly: lift on micro-stalls or dimples—sips are subtle.
- Start bigger, scale down as pressure/light increases.
- Scan air/edges/slicks before rigging; match the hatch.
- Balance brightness/contrast with light & clarity; silhouette matters.
- Purple Haze variants consistently tempt selective fish.
- Local intel wins—adapt quickly to what you see.
How to Choose a Dry Fly in Dullstroom
- Observe rise forms (sips = emergers; slashes = adults/terrestrials).
- Match size first (#14–18 most days), then silhouette, then colour.
- Adjust tippet (start 5X; go 6X and longer leader in glassy water).
- Start higher-floating; if refusals, drop to a film-rider emerger.
- Refine drift: fix micro-drag with angle, reach cast, or longer tippet.
Other Productive Subsurface Patterns
Fritz Bugger — flash + movement for stain/depth.
Woolly Bugger — black/olive/brown, vary retrieves.
Nymphs
- Caddis larvae (olive/mustard)
- Mayfly nymphs (black/brown/olive)
- Midge/bloodworm for stillwaters
Terrestrials — beetles, ants, hoppers.
Zonkers — rabbit-strip movement; slow & deep in cold.
Best Fly Colours for Dullstroom
Dark day → dark fly; bright day → bright fly. In stain use silhouette; in gin-clear water go lighter/brighter with finer tippet.
- Sunny & clear: white, yellow, chartreuse
- Overcast/muddy: black, olive, brown
- Tea-stained: chartreuse/olive combo
- Neutral: Adams greys cover many hatches
- Purple: Purple Haze taps trout sensitivity to violet
Best Dry Flies for Dullstroom – FAQs
What size dry flies work best in Dullstroom stillwaters?
Sizes 14–18 are the most consistent. On bright, calm days—or when trout sip delicately—scale down to 18–20 with longer tippet.
When should I choose an emerger instead of a high-floating dry?
If you see subtle sips, bulges, or refusals to high riders, switch to film-riders like Klinkhåmer or Shuttlecock.
What leaders and tippet should I use?
Use 9–12 ft leaders with 4X–6X mono. Go longer/finer in glassy conditions; keep drifts drag-free.
Do Purple Haze variants really work?
Yes—great visibility to you, natural silhouette to trout. Reliable in bright/selective windows.
Are dry-dropper rigs effective on Dullstroom dams?
Absolutely. Use a buoyant dry (Stimulator/Hopper) with a 40–60 cm dropper to a #16–18 slender nymph or CDC emerger.
