Bills Callibaetis Emerger

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Bill's Callibaetis Dun (Calli-dun)

This month’s bug is designed to represent the Callibaetis adult--the beginning of the “in between” stage of this wonderful insect's life, sometimes called the subimago, or "dun" stage. This pattern is not really original; rather, it's novelty lies in the manner in which common techniques are drawn upon and combined into an effective, suggestive pattern. For example, there is nothing new or original about the comparadun style wing, or the no-hackle form, both of which are used in this fly.

Fish this pattern on a 4X-6X tippet, depending on conditions. Used in stillwater, it sits perkily on the surface--not off it, as is the case with catskill-style flies. In freestone streams, it should be drifted lazily into and out of pockets; in meadow streams or spring creeks, use a pile cast or similar technique to allow the fly to catch all those conflicting nuances of current. If you encounter a calli-hatch, and if the fish are taking adults (which may not always be the case--watch your riseforms), cast to rising fish, being careful not to "line" the riser.

Materials

Hook:

Mustad 94833; Tiemco 900BL, #14-16

Tail:

Approx. 10 moose body hair fibers

Abdomen:

Light brownish dubbing of choice

Rib:

ine copper wire

Wing:

Deer hair, comparadun style, darkish

Thorax:

Same as abdomen

Head:

Light yellow dubbing

Thread:

Brown or tan 8/0

Instructions

1. Apply a layer of thread to rear half of hook. Form a small ball of brown dubbing at the end of the shank (where the bend begins). If we were using a barbed hook, this point would be directly above the back end of the barb.

2. Stack approx. 10 moose body hairs and tie on just ahead of ball, keeping the hair directly on top of shank. The tail should be length of shank. Holding the tips in left hand (opposite if left handed), run thread over hair and up onto ball; release hair and it will splay out, fan-like.

3. Using scissor tips or bodkin, divide hairs in half and pull to sides; figure eight around the two halves once. If done correctly, each side should be at a 45 degree angle from shank.

4. Tie in rib material at base of tail.

5. Move thread forward to 30% point behind eye. Stack a small bunch of medium deer hair, measure to length of shank, and tie in at 30% point, with tips out over eye. Hair must stay on top.

6. Trim butts at an angle; tie butts down firmly.

7. Grasp hair by tips and pull back; place opposite thumbnail at base of wing and push rearward. Let go of tips. This will cause the wing to stand up and fan out 180 degrees across top of shank.

8. Return thread to rear, and dub up finely tapered abdomen.

9. Reverse rib with the gold wire, and tie off in front of wing.

10. Dub thorax slightly larger than body, keeping dubbing around front and back of wing. This will help keep the wing in upright position.

11. Dub a small head in front of thorax, with light or dirty colored yellow dubbing. Rabbit works nicely. Whip finish.

See ya on the creek!!!!