Prawu Dun
Shown here is an impressionistic pattern that was derived from the popular (at least in German speaking countries) Prawu fly (Prawu= Prager Wuzzl= Prager "fuzzy") invented by famous flyfisherman Sepp Prager from Austria for fishing faster flowing water. It has proved very efficient in Austrias trout and grayling rivers and in every other faster flowing water (although it has caught its fair share of fish in slower water too).
As you can guess the fly floats very well, sometimes like the proverbial cork but still often has the body submerged into the surface film: always a recipe for success in dry flies. Due to its bright white sighting post a very very visible fly. Another reason why I like it so much. The Original Prawu is tied with Moufflon hair only. I have tied the bodies of my Prawu Duns with normal hares ear dubbing because this way I can add a bit of colour. The prinicipal behind this fly is a very versatile one as you can see by my other Prawu patterns.
Tying instructions:
- Tie in Aero Dry Wing (or other material) at about 1/3 of the hook shank. Leave about 2cm standing over the eye of the hook. Do not push it upwards by winding in front of the post. Cut the rear end of the material with a taper and wind over until you have a nice tapered underbody of thread.
- Dub on a wild looking body with the dubbing of your choice (hares ear is always a winner). Take care not to make a body that is too thick (except for if you really want a white water fly; in this case tie the whole fly with loop spun Moufflon). Make a thread loop and put a nice non stacked amount of Moufflon hair into the loop (tear out some of the underwool as otherwise it will get too thick) and twist.
- Wind on the Moufflon hair towards the eye always pulling back the hairs with your left hand after one turn of the Moufflon "chenille". Put only one or two windings in front of the post to put it a bit upright. Take great care not to crowd the hook eye (this is difficult I know!).
- Finish the fly by pulling the post 45° upwards and by making a horizontal cut (look at the fly and you know what I mean).
- Finish with half hitches or your whip finisher.