Husk Dun (Dun with the Husk)
Husk Dun
Hook: Mustad 94840 #14
Thread: UNI 8/0 Olive
PUPA HUSK DRESSING:
Extended body: Velour yarn
Tail: Pheasant fibers
Hackle: Partridge
Head: brown hairs dubbing
DUN DRESSING:
Extended Body: Furled yarn
Dubbing: Monster Dry (Blue Dun)
Para Post: sparkle yarn
Hackle: Blue Dun
I have been working on this pattern for several days. I’ve tried all manner of body styles, materials, colors, and hooks, and finally boiled it all down to this fly, which I call the Husk Dun. It imitates a Mayfly Dun just after hatching. When a mayfly hatches, it rests on the surface for a moment, drying its wings, while the discarded husk hangs just below. That is what this fly imitates.
It is somewhat of a ‘novelty’ pattern I suppose, unnecessarily detailed but a fun one to tie, and I expect it will be enjoyable to fish with as well. After concluding the Husk dressing, I experimented with various extended body materials for the dun. At first I tried a dubbing extended body. It was very beautiful, but it was extremely time consuming and delicate. I then tried a elk hair one. It was quick, tough, and floated well…..but I just didn’t like the look of it. I then tried a furled yarn body. That clicked, and so the Husk Dun came to be.
You can tie it in any colors you wish, transforming it from a Blue Dun to any other mayfly species. The pupa husk you can color with markers (gasp!) to imitate various nymph types…but I prefer to leave it as it is from the package.
While testing in a aquarium, I found that the little bugger floats just as intended, husk dipping below the surface and the Dun bobbing cheerily above. When fishing, I think it would be good idea to anoint the dun with dry fly dressing, and rub the husk with saliva or creek water. Here are some photographs from testing. I apologise for the over-exposed pictures.
The pupa husk
Dun
I can’t wait to try this guy out on Rocky Ford, those spooky Rainbows won’t know what hit them.
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That is some nice fly; I like it. But what like even more is how you thought it all up and tested in your aquarium – that shows dedication and some serious fly tying addiction. Good for you
Cheers!
J.
Jindra Lacko said this on January 22, 2010 at 1:50 am
nice as usual Jan! What I have come to expect from you …LOL!
lykos33 said this on January 28, 2010 at 5:39 am
Thank you guys!
Jan
janhenrickson said this on January 29, 2010 at 10:13 pm