Great mayfly pattern or Greatest?

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Every fishing season I keep a rough record of fly patterns I
use most, hoping to remind myself to make sure I have a
surplus for the next year. I’d say I have 15 or so patterns that I
rely on pretty heavily, with one in particular, the Sparkle Dun,
being my hands-down favorite for imitating mayflies.

Sparkle Dun

The Sparkle Dun plays off the deer hair wing and dubbing
body that made the comparadun famous, but adds a bit of
zelon to the tail, making the pattern resemble an emerging
mayfly still attached to its nymphal shuck. The beauty of this
pattern is its simplicity. It doesn’t require many materials and
is a quick tie, perfect when you have to crank out a dozen in
the early morning hours before hooking up the boat. Versatility
wise, the Sparkle Dun floats high in the water and can be
fished throughout a mayfly hatch, imitating emergers, cripples,
duns and spinners. Heck, clip the wing and add some lead to
you leader and you have yourself a nymph!

I carry a variety of Sparkle Duns to “match” various
hatches out here in Jackson Hole. When fishing the Snake or
Green rivers, I make sure I have plenty of PMDs, Grey Drakes
and BWOs (baetis for those of you who insist on Latin…) Tying
these patterns only requires changing hook size and body
color.

In the next few days, look for a video showing how to tie
this fantastic pattern.

Springing forward

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Spring is coming to Wyoming a bit earlier this year. Recent temperatures have been getting into the high 40s, helping to melt the snow and ice in the backyard and turn our attention toward fishing.

Jamie and I spent a few days last week soaking up the sun in Bisbee, AZ; celebrating my uncle’s retirement in proper fashion with lost of good food, drink and the Bad News Blues Band. After returning from that, and getting a few hours of sleep, I eagerly hopped in my friend Matt’s truck and headed south for Flaming Gorge. There, we spent three days fishing to selective brown and rainbow trout all while enjoying the spectacular scenery that make the Gorge so pretty. The weather was great, crowds small, and sizable trout were caught.

Back here in Wyoming, I’m readying fishing gear in anticipation of some great early season fishing. In the coming week, I’ll be doing a little guiding on the Snake and tying more flies.

Ps. the Fly Fishing Film tour is stopping in Jackson tonight, beginning at 7 at the Center for the Arts theater in downtown Jackson Hole. Hope to see you there!