Dun like a dinner

Place the hook in the vice and wind the thread to the bend of the hook, tie in the tail taking 2 turns of thread under the tail to make it sit up as shown. Now strip the peacock herl and tie it and the wire rib in.

The dun, or sub imago, is stage one of the adult mayfly, the ugly duckling in the line and named due to its colours of browns and beige.

Mayfly duns appear on the surface and remain long enough for their wings to dry before taking flight to seek refuge among the streamside vegetation, where the dun or sub imago moults into the second stage of the adult mayfly, the spinner or imago.

The spinner has much finer features and more distinct colouration than the dun; its wings are also clear and shiny. Spinners are generally black, red or brown and they have the pleasure of the mating ritual, usually on the wing.

Once the mating is complete the females can be seen dipping their tails into the water as they lay their eggs to commence the mayfly life cycle all over again. The male and female spinners, once spent, fall to the surface to be picked by hungry trout.

The adult insect is dull by nature so the tying materials reflect this. The key for this pattern is the profile that the fly makes when it sits on the surface, which is why I cut the hackle flat on the bottom to make the fly sit flat.

There are many and varied ways to fish this pattern, with the most effective to fish it as naturally as possible.

When fishing impoundments or shallow lagoons, work downwind, flicking short casts either side so that the fly drifts naturally on the breeze.

On some of the slower, weed-choked Snowy Mountains and Monaro streams, plonking the fly down in the gaps in the weed often brings some form of response. On the slower pools and glides fish can be polaroided and presented to, but they are spooky, so stealth and a delicate presentation is needed.

Aside from that this is a great general dun imitation and has been used with success in many varied situations in Victoria, Tasmania, New Zealand, and by my friends in Scotland.

Images

Place the hook in the vice and wind the thread to the bend of the hook, tie in the tail taking 2 turns of thread under the tail to make it sit up as shown. Now strip the peacock herl and tie it and the wire rib in.

Wind the stripped herl forward to form the body as shown, then secure in place with the ribbing. (At this point take your wing material and place a small bunch in your wing burner, trim the excess then run a lighter around the edge to form the wing as sho

Now using the pinch and loop method tie in the wing as shown, as you tighten the thread the wing will sit up

Tie in the saddle hackle and take about 4 turns before securing in place and forming a small head with the thread.

Now clip the hackle flat with the underside of the hook as shown, this makes the fly sit flat in the water’s surface. (Optional depending on personnel preference).

A close up view of the wing prior to tying it in.

Latest Articles

• Flying Right
  Wayne Kampe July 11
• Maroon Bass Great Fun In Autumn
  Wayne Kampe May 11
• ATTACK A MAC
  Wayne Kampe April 11
• New Zealand’s South Island
  Wayne Kampe January 11
• Hi-Vis Skating Caddis
  Rod Booker December 10
• Pink Breasted Scud
  Rod Booker June 10
• Time for New England trout
  Wayne Kampe May 10
• Black Micro parachute
  Rod Booker May 10
• Cicadas
  Rod Booker April 10
• Booralong Frog
  Rod Booker March 10