This is the time of year when things turn on in UK reservoirs. The temperatures rise and insect life increases. As such, buzzers are usually the first to appear with sedge, midge and various species of beetles to follow. When it comes to catching trout in reservoirs throughout spring, buzzers will almost certainly be part of their diet. Us anglers will need to replicate these as closely as possible in terms of movement, shape, and colour if we want to find success. To help you this season, we compiled a list of our Top 7 Buzzer Patterns for trout to try this spring.

A good friend of mine once said “When you get it right, fishing buzzers will probably be the easiest method you’re ever going to use.” He certainly wasn’t wrong! What he meant was that when you’re buzzer fishing, you basically have to cast out and hold on. No much else is needed. Other than keeping the line straight. Simply don’t move them.Being a readily available natural food source, almost every fish in the lake will switch onto them. As a result, buzzers give the angler an opportunity to fish for the resident trout in the lake. These are the ones that have been there for months or even years after being introduced.



Top 7 Buzzer Patterns
Jenkins’ Olive Quill Buzzer
Quill buzzers are absolutely deadly for rainbow and brown trout all year round. Although they are most effective during the months of April, May and June where hatching buzzer are in abundance. Designed by Fulling Mill Signature Tyer Kieron Jenkins, the mix of natural stripped quill for the body, olive holographic thorax and fluorescent orange cheeks is simply irresistible to any trout feeding on buzzers. Fish this fly static on floating line, on the washing line or under the bung and your catch rate will rocket. The Jenkins’ Quill Buzzer is available in three colours, fluorescent yellow, fluorescent orange, and olive. All colour variants are offered in size 10 and size 12 to help you best match the hatch during buzzer time.

Jenkins’ Quill Buzzers: Fluorescent Yellow
This fluorescent colour variants of Jenkin’s Quill Buzzer is a top performer when fishing for trout on stillwaters. The yellow version is most effective when the olive buzzers are out, so you’ll want to make sure to have some for that. This bright buzzer is available in both size 10 and size 12 to help you best match the hatch during buzzer time.

Rob’s UV Buzzer
Rob’s UV buzzer is a strong attractor pattern. The UV properties of this fly help it stand out amongst naturals, and make it easier for the fish to pick out. It’s a must have. This pattern is available in sizes 8 and 10.
Traffic Light Buzzer
This best selling buzzer pattern is a very effective nymph designed to imitate natural chironomids with the addition of high visibility orange side cheeks. You simply can’t go wrong with adding this trusty fly to your rig.

The Olive Two Tone Buzzer is a very effective fly pattern for reservoir trout. Its equally successful fished static under the bung or with a team of flies in clear water. Designed by Fulling Mill Signature Tier Rob Edmunds. This pattern is available in sizes 10 and 12.

Buzzer 3D Glass Black
A slim durable buzzer imitation with a pearl mylar rib, perfect for fishing under a Bung or as a point fly. This fly is bound to catch the attention of buzzer feeding trout.

Classic Buzzer Superman 3.0mm Red Spot
A classic buzzer in the “Superman” black and red colour combination, critically weighted for use with the drop back bung. These traditional style buzzers tied on barbless hooks are perfect for naturally feeding fish on both small stillwaters and large reservoirs. To maximise the number of takes to netted fish, use in conjunction with the Croston Drop Back Bung.


Patrick Tillard image.
If you want to learn more about buzzer fishing and how to make the most of these top 7 buzzer patterns for trout, here is a great article on Buzzer Fishing from Rob Edmunds. In it he highlights all the aspects of how to fish buzzers. We also recommend checking out the following videos with Rob.
If you are planning to fish buzzers this season, the flies in this Top 7 Buzzer Patterns article are all available from Fulling Mill. The full range is much more extensive. You can view them all here.