These are my minizonkers, flies that I have been using since the 2006 season. The fly is 4cm long from hook eye to end of the zonker tail. These two patterns have been used with great success in many corners of the world by me and friends of mine and are quite universal flies.
For me these flies are streamer fishing with finesse, lighter presentations, a stealthier approach, you can cast them with your 4 or 5wt rod using long leaders for less spooked fish. Try these on shallow water in both rivers and lakes!
I’m a great believer of moment of surprise and escape. Trout easily get bored if they see a fly too long and have to long time to decide if they should take the fly or not. Less time they have, better it is. Smaller flies like these will be more of a surprise for trout than bigger ones as they are discovered later by the fish.