Blue Dun
Blue Dun
Hook: Mustad 94840 or TMC 100 sizes #12 - #18
Thread: Rusty Dun 8/0, prewaxed
Tail: Medium blue dun hackle fibers
Body: Gray muskrat fur
Wings: Natural gray duck quills
Hackle: Medium blue dun hackle
A good old fly & a stand by in many fly boxes. A few things to keep in mind about dry flies,
Quality of hackle is directly related to quality of fly. A good dry fly hackle is easier to work with, ties a better fly. Which fishes better. In other words, use the good stuff for your dries. Keep your proportions correct, standard rule is: Tail is one shank length, Wings are one shank length tall, Hackle is properly sizes (use a hackle gauge) Body takes up 2/3 of the shank, leaving 1/3 for the wings & hackle. Wings should be centered in the hackle wraps (2 wraps of hackle in back of the wings 2 wraps in front of the wings for example) Body should be slim & tapered at the back, building slightly for a thorax.
Proportion & hackle quality is the key to better dry flies.
Anyway, all that said, this is a straightforward fly. Measure & tie in hackle fibers for the tail. Dub for the body; bring forward to 2/3 point. Prepare & tie in a matched pair of duck quills for the wings. These will be upright & naturally divided. Tie in a blue dun hackle; wrap a couple wraps behind the wings, a couple wraps in front of the wings. Leave room for a small, tidy head.
There ya go, a good dry fly feels so light in your hand, and lands & sits lightly on the water.
Have fun & keep tying, Julie