Parachute Dun Dry Freshwater Hook : 10 to 14 (Mustad 94840 or similar). Thread : Grey. Wing : White calf tail. Tail : Black deer hair. Body : Ostrich herls (2). Rib : Fine copper wire. Hackle : Ginger or Cree (parachute).
Tying Instructions This is an "easy" parachute pattern which can be varied to suit the hatch. Tying in the wing under the hook and set back helps make it stable, adds bulk for the thorax and gives good balance. Try substituting other materials - such as "Hivis" for the wing, dubbing for the body and biots or hackle fibres for the tail. 1) Start thread at shoulder and form a tight base back to half way along hook shank - two to three layers. 2) Turn hook over and tie in calf tail wing at right angles to shank - use front to back, back to front loops, three turns each way. 3) Turn hook right side up and pull both sides of wing vertical. Secure wing with several loops followed by several close turns around wing base above the shaft to form a solid "stem" for the hackle. 4) Trim wing to shape and size, wind thread back to bend, tie in tail fibres and secure ostrich herls and wire. 5) Wind herl forward, forming thicker thorax and head. Tie off at head. Wind wire sparsely forward in opposite direction to the herl winding. Tie off, trim waste and whip finish or half hitch. Leave thread attached. 6) Wind thread back to wing base. Tie in hackle. 7) Wind hackle anti-clockwise around wing stem, making sure each turn is below the previous one. Three or four turns should do it. Tie off hackle. Finish off with several half-hitches at base of wing. Cement head and base of wing (holding hackle back).
Fly Notes Grey variation shown above.
Fishing Notes Can be fished to match pale dun hatch, used as a searching pattern or fished as a skating caddis. Ungreased, it could also work as an emerger. Target species includes Trout.
Location Notes Stream.
Prey Notes Pale dun, sitting low in the water.
Tier Paul Garrett

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