Snowflake Dun
(The materials are listed in the order they are tied in. Instructions assume righthanded tier.)
Tying instructions:
- Run the thread down the shank and tie in a fairly short CDC tail.
- Apply dubbing to thread and make a thin, somewhat tapered body, ending a bit short of the eye.
- Prepare a hackle, fiber length just short of shank length, as follows:
- Sneak in with the tip of your scissors and cut the stem half an inch from the tip
- You should now have a hackle which ends in a 'V'
- Leaving the top 4-5 fibers (on each side), stroke down the remaining fibers - Shiny side up, straddle the hook with the 'V', the fibers angling some 30 degrees down and towards the bend of the hook.
- Holding the 'V' in place with your left index finger and thumb, tie them down with a few tight turns of thread. Trim remainder of hackle. You should now have 4-5 fibers on either side of the shank, which will act as outriggers, stabilizing the fly.
(By trimming the top bit of the stem only, you can prepare the hackle for the next fly) - Take two CDC feathers and line up the tips. Tie in a wing, sloping back over the body. Similar to, but not quite as long as a caddis wing. Trim excess.
(Or in economy mode: Take a large CDC feather and bunch up the tip. Tie in a wing, sloping back over the body. Similar to, but not quite as long as a caddis wing. Trim excess. Snip away the tip of the stem from the leftover CDC feather, bunch up the tips again and tie in again, effectively doubling the number of CDC barbules in the wing. Trim excess.) -
Take a short piece (about 0.25") of fine white polypropylene yarn. (Split the yarn first, if too bulky for the size of fly) Tie in the piece of yarn in the middle on top of the wing, the other half overhanging the eye with two or three firm wraps. Next fold back this half and tie down. Complete the fly with a whip finish and a drop of varnish.
The Snowflake Dun is a low riding mayfly imitation. The white poly near the head provides both the origin to the name and a focal point when fishing it.