It’s Easter season, so I thought it would be appropriate to mention the “bunny hatch.” No, this isn’t about the eggs that the Easter Bunny leaves. This is about flies that use rabbit or squirrel Zonker strips.
Now that I’ve done my best attempt at a pun, let’s talk about patterns. Leeches, Slump Busters, Lunch Monies, etc. are very effective fly patterns in early spring. These flies can imitate a wide variety of prey that trout feed on this time of year. Sculpins, Hellgrammites, Baitfish, etc. are high-calorie meals that are important for trout as they come out of the winter blues and prep for spring insect hatches.
You can fish these flies in a variety of ways. Drifting under a bobber (yes, I said “bobber”), swinging through a riffle, or stripping through feeding lanes are all effective. My favorite style of this fly for trout is a jigged leech on a size 10-12 hook with a moderately sized tungsten bead. The great thing about this material is its versatility. You can catch anything from a small brook trout to smallmouth bass or even a musky if you size your flies appropriately.
Final thoughts: Try fishing a fly with some sort of bunny or squirrel Zonker this spring. I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised. Oh, and don’t forget to thank the Easter Bunny if you see it.
Tight lines, best fishes, wet nets, etc.!
—Cam Aker