Bodkin / Patterns

Mini Hot Mayfly

Dry Fly · Trout · Intermediate · 1 version

Reference Recipe

  • Hook standard dry-fly, straight eye, 16-18
  • Thread olive 14/0

Materials

  • Dry-fly thread Olive thread (1 spool)
  • Coq de Leon fibers Medium pardo (6-8 fibers)
  • Fine synthetic dubbing Olive-brown fine dubbing (pinch)
  • Floss or thread hot spot Fluorescent orange floss (few turns)
  • CDC feathers Natural dun cdc feather (2 tips)

How to tie it

  1. Start the thread behind the eye and lay a smooth base back to the barb.
  2. Catch in 6-8 Coq de Leon fibers for a split-length tail one shank long; keep them sparse and stiff so the fly rides high.
  3. At the tail base build a short band of fluorescent orange for the hot spot, 4-5 tight turns, then whip a hard edge so the color stays crisp.
  4. Dub a slim, tapered body forward with olive-brown dubbing to the 70% mark. Use half the dubbing you think you need.
  5. Stack two CDC tips and tie them in flat over the back as a low wing, tips reaching just past the bend, so they splay like emerging wings.
  6. Fold the CDC butts back and figure-8 a tiny thorax to prop them, then trim the stubs.
  7. Build a neat head, whip finish, and a pinhead of cement at the eye only.

Tying videos

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