A Pattern looking for a Mayfly...

[ceviche]

I found out about this extended-body mayfly pattern that looked cool as all heck. The thing about it is that it was developed for a fishery outside of this country. So now I'm looking for a local mayfly that will fit the profile of this pattern. I'd look it up on my own, except that some of my fly tying books are still buried in boxes from when I last moved. :beathead:

Anyway, the crux characteristic of this pattern is that the dual-forked tail does not lie in the film--it curves up and away. Does anyone know of a mayfly (or mayflies) dun that sits on the surface with this profile--perhaps even with the body keeping mostly out of the water as well?

[Preston]

If you observe the attitude of mayfly duns on the surface, you'll see that they may have their tails down on the surface, but more frequently the abdomen will be curved upward and the tails will be in the air. Sometimes, after the dun has worked its way out of the nymphal shuck, the only part of its anatomy touching the water will be its legs.

I sometimes tie an extended-body mayfly pattern in which the abdomen is formed separately, using a needle as a form. I build a tapered thread body on a needle (the needle diameter and taper may be varied for different fly sizes), saturate it with Softex and, when it has dried a little, force it off the needle with a pair of pliers. As it pops off the needle it usually adopts a slight curve that has a very natural appearance.

Tailing materials are incorporated into the construction of the abdomen. Put down a layer or two of thread on the needle then lay on the tails, wrap them down, take a figure eight wrap to keep them separated, then continue forming the tapered body. I usually attach the finished abdomen to a Tiemco 206BL hook (for its short shank and light wire), add a yarn wingpost, a dubbed thorax and a parachute hackle.

[Preston]

I found a picture of one.

[Jim Jones]

Great looking bug Preston. :thumb:

Jim Jones