Egg patterns have become very popular in some regions for fishing for trout during the spawning season. As trout spawn in the winter they are used only in areas which are open during the winter. The most popular patterns are known as globugs.

The Globug trout fly is an egg pattern - designed to imitate the roe or eggs of trout that have spawned. Globugs are very popular when fishing for fresh run rainbows, especially in the South Island canals, the Taupo region and for fishing the Tongariro River in particular. Consequently they are best used in winter or early spring when the spawning runs take place. Use smaller sizes when the water is very clear.

Fish as close to the bottom as possible and allow to drift as naturally as possible along the river bed. It's usual to fish them in tandem with a heavier nymph Such as an epoxy nymph to sink them to where the fish are. Takes can be very soft and easy to miss.

Some anglers use a floating variation of the globug  in the late evening and at night but casting them out (usually into still water) on a sinking line with a very short and leaving them to float just above the bottom. Passing trout will often pick them up and run with them. This method is called "heave and leave" as it is not necessary to retrieve the line.

Imitating the fish roe

These are simple flies but very effective. Over the years they have evolved and now many use a plastic egg which very closely imitates the roe in both size and colour.