Corixidae

There are hundreds of corixa species globally and the adults range from 2-15mm with the vast majority falling in a 5-10mm window. Unlike the larger back swimmer or water boatman, the corixa is a herbivore and they generally exist in large numbers, making them an ideal bug for stillwater fish to feed on. What's more, they're present yearround as the entire life cycle is aquatic making them an ideal forage species for us to imitate. This is especially true for bank anglers as they generally have better access to the weedy shallows where these bugs are found, that is of course unless the venue is boat only and not subject to minimum distance restrictions.

I suppose the first thing to consider is if we really need a specific imitation for the corixa or will a size 12-14 hare’s ear do the job? The answer to both points is probably yes.  Most people who fish stillwaters probably have a hare’s eary thing with some pearl in it in their box and that will probably do a job. Years ago there was pattern in, I think, Trout & Salmon magazine that the author swore by for corixa feeders. I was just a lump of green hare’s ear ribbed with olive lureflash twinkle. No tail, no back, no legs, not even the “right” colour. It did work though I suspected they were eating it as something else, but tried it and caught fish that were full of corixa. I later learned that the corixa nymph while very similar in shape is a bit lighter than the adult and may even be a greeny colour, so that explained that.

That said it can be good to have a specific imitation that’s a bit closer to the real bug, some day’s it makes a difference between a couple of fish and a good day. If you want to go down that road, there are several options on that front and I’m giving you three this week;

Silver/Pearl corixa

Hook: Comp Heavyweight 12-14

Thread: White 140 den/ red 70 den for the head

Body: Silver or pearl tinsel over a built-up thread base

Back: Pheasant tail fibre or similar

Rib: Silver wire

Legs: Flexi floss or the butt ends of the pheasant tail folded back

I varnish these heavily to make them the fastest sinking of the patterns and to accentuate the bubble like appearance of the silver tinsel.

Dubbing corixa

Hook: Comp Heavyweight 12-14

Thread: White 140 den/ red 70 den for the head

Body: Pearl ice dubbing or a blend with tan hare’s ear

Back: Pheasant tail fibre or similar

Rib: Silver wire

Legs: Flexi floss, the butt ends of the pheasant tail folded back or a turn of partridge hackle tied before you bring the back over.

Some folk lead these patterns, but I prefer an unweighted corixa as I basically don’t fish them in water deeper than a few feet, and the tinsel pattern easily sinks fast enough. The dubbing version sinks a bit slower which can be helpful in the shallow water.

Suspender/FA Corixa

Hook: Comp Heavyweight 12-14

Thread: White 140 den/ red 70 den for the head

Arse: A bit of foam tied out the back of the fly and folded over

Body: Pearl ice dubbing or a blend with tan hare’s ear

Back: Pheasant tail fibre or similar

Rib: Silver wire

Legs: Flexi floss, the butt ends of the pheasant tail folded back or a turn of partridge hackle tied before you bring the back over.

Although it’ll work on its own, this is more of a controller pattern really. An imitative option for the point on a washing line style presentation it can be handy if they’re spooked by more standard washing line choices like FABs. Ideal in really shallow water fished on a midge tip with a mid-length leader of say 15’ with a couple of the other corixas on the droppers. 

I don’t think the legs are actually important, in fact I know they don’t matter. Never once have I switched out a corixa pattern because it had lost its legs and never once did the amputations reduce the efficacy of the fly. But humans seem to like them and it’s not a big deal to add them. Many people now like a rubber leg because it holds up better than the pheasant tail. I don’t know how I feel about them; you shouldn’t be moving the fly fast enough to get them to kick, but there might be some argument for vibrations nonetheless. Although I didn’t tie any with it for the photo, I’m more partial to a turn of partridge on the dubbed ones and pheasant tail on the tinsel option.  Regardless of what you use, the fly will work with or without them. I do think the red head makes a difference, but that might just be a confidence thing.

 So next time you find yourself in a weedy shallow, especially in the early morning or evening and regardless of whether your fishing for trout or some coarse fish species consider creeping a wee corixa imitation around the beds. They’re good.