RAMBLINGS OF A FLYTIER
Craig Mathew’s Sparkle Dun Emerger
The fly this month is another trout fly, but I have, over the years caught quite a few steelhead on small dry flies (as several friends and members of our club can verify). The fly is Craig Mathew’s Sparkle Dun Emerger which is a modified or tweaked Compara Dun from the book “Hatches” by Caucci and Nastasi of 1980. That said, I have done much better with Craig’s pattern everywhere from spring creeks to rivers (BWO’s on the Rogue) Good reference book is “Fly Patterns of Yellowstone” by Craig Mathews and John Juracek.
Hook – Daiichi 1480 or 1222, size 16-22
Thread – small, I use Rust Veevus 16/0 – use your favorite
Wing – Dun comparadun deer hair
Tail- Rust antron or z-lon sparce tied in to go behind wing and to form tail/shuck
Body – olive quill, dyed peacock or dubbing
Thorax – olive or gray olive dubbing behind and in front of wing.
You may also make other mayfly patterns by changing body colors. Here are a few examples using natural or synthetic dubbings.
Rabbit or beaver fur work well for the natural.
Pale Morning Dun: yellowish orange/yellowish light olive
Tiny Western Olive: grayish olive
Small Green Drake: dark olive
White Wing Black: black
Speckled Spinner: tan
Mahogany Dun: deep mahogany
Blue Wing Olive: dark olive
