Bodkin / Patterns

Fast Water Drake

Dry Fly · Trout · Intermediate · 1 version

Classic Recipe

  • Hook standard dry-fly hook (TMC 100 / 5212), 10-14
  • Thread olive 6/0 6/0 (140 denier)

Materials

  • Tail Moose or elk hair (few fibers)
  • Body Spun/stacked olive deer hair (or dubbed olive) (1 clump)
  • Wing Deer or elk hair, upright (1 clump)
  • Legs Barred rubber legs (1-2 pairs)
  • Hackle Grizzly and/or brown dry-fly hackle (1-2 feathers)

How to tie it

  1. Start thread and tie in a short tail of moose/elk hair at the bend.
  2. Spin or stack olive deer hair to form a buoyant body up the shank, or dub a fat olive body if you prefer; deer hair floats this big fly in turbulent water.
  3. Tie in an upright wing of deer or elk hair at the front third and post it.
  4. Add a pair of barred rubber legs on each side for lifelike movement in the current.
  5. Tie in one or two dry-fly hackles at the wing base.
  6. Wind the hackle through the thorax and around the wing in 4-6 turns for high flotation, tie off, whip finish, and cement.

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