The Matuka fly pattern was named after the New Zealand bird whose feathers were originally used in the construction of the fly’s wing. Matuka is the Mauri word for the Bittern bird. The idea of binding the hackle wing along the top of the hook shank originated in New Zealand over 50 years ago. The use of such a large feather as a wing and tail was a masterstroke because when it moves through the water it wiggles and fools the fish into thinking that the fly is alive.

The fly represents fry or minnows, but also makes an effective suggestive pattern of something a hungry trout would like to eat. The very robust wing that resembles the long dorsal fin of a bait fish. They were introduced to the USA and the rest of the world about 1975. They have been tied in just about every color combination you can imagine. Have the hackle wings of a streamer fly you were using ever twisted round the gape of a hook while casting? When this happens, the fly moves through the water like a propeller, instead of swimming with a smooth, minnow-like action. If this really annoys you then change to using Matuka style flies.

The black matuka can be used as an imitation of a small sculpin. Many smallmouth bass rivers have large populations of sculpins. These creatures are bottom hugging minnows that live under stones in well aerated water. This means that smallmouths living below riffles often feed heavily on sculpins as the offer a substantial meal.

Wade into a river just below a riffle and cast across and slightly downstream. Give your streamer time to sink and then strip the line to make your fly swim along the bottom a good six inches every five or so seconds. Make about six casts to the same location and make each one about four feet longer than the last. If you do not have any luck wade about three yards downstream and start the sequence again. This overlapping casting system enables the fly to be seen by nearly all the bass in front of you. A prime feeding location for bass is against a three foot deep shaded bank as this is where the sculpins like to live. Wade into the middle of the river and cast downstream tight against the bank. If you do not get an immediate strike move down stream about five foot. If you see minnows splashing through the shallows they are probably trying to evade predatory bass or trout. Smallmouths often patrol around gravel bars and grass beds on overcast days at dawn and dusk. Cast your fly about three feet in front of the minnow and to the side of the minnows. Aim to strip your streamer through the middle of the shoal in the hope of presenting it in front of the oncoming bass.