Z-lon (Mayfly Brown improved Z-lon) Brown zelon (A small clump for the shuck)
Tying thread Olive thread (Forms the abdomen)
Deer hair, fine Natural deer hair (One cleaned and stacked clump for the wing)
Rooster hackle Medium dun hackle (One feather, three turns)
How to tie it
Mount a #18 1XL dry fly hook and start olive 70 denier thread at the 75% point. That is where the wing goes, so respect it from the start.
Tie in a clump of brown Z-lon at that point and bind it back so the tie-down ends right at the 75% mark, keeping the wraps free of lumps; trim the shuck to about one shank-length or a touch shorter.
Build the abdomen with thread from back to front, then spin the bobbin counter-clockwise to uncord and flatten the thread and lay a final smooth layer over the body.
Clean and stack a clump of fine deer hair, hold it on top of the hook at the 75% point measured about one shank-length long, take two loose wraps, pull tight, and follow with five or six more tight wraps.
Without letting go of the butt ends, clip them off close and tidy the stubs, then come underneath and lift the wing upright, building a small thread dam in front to prop it up. Make sure you leave clear space between the wing and the eye.
Tie in a medium dun rooster hackle behind the wing, take a wrap, bring the thread underneath and secure it, and add a half hitch to hold everything in place.
Take two full turns of hackle behind the wing, then lift the wing and take one full turn in front, and tie the hackle off.
Push everything back with your thumbnail if the eye is crowded, then finish with a couple of half hitches or a whip finish.