Small dry
Willow Grub
NZ willow-grub specialist dry
TroutSurface
A tiny pale grub imitation for the late-summer willow-grub fall, when sawfly larvae drop from willow leaves and trout become maddeningly selective on the small pale speck in the film.
Fish this when
Midday sun on willow-lined runs in late summer and autumn, when fish sip steadily with no obvious hatch and refuse everything larger. A long, fine leader is essential.
Why it works
When trout lock onto the grub, only an exact small, pale, low-riding imitation will do — size and a drag-free drift matter more than dressing. Solving the willow grub is one of NZ fly fishing's classic puzzles.
Naturals it imitates
willow sawfly grub (late-summer fall)
Typical zone & fishable range
usually
Surface
Film
Subsurface
Deep
Setup sensitivity: medium