Paul's March 2012 Fly of the Month

Deer Hair CDC Compara Dun

Hook:  Size 12 to 20 Curved shank emerger hook. 

Tying thread:   Color to match the natural.  ( I tie this fly in brown, olive, grey, and sulphur yellow/orange)

Body:   Goose or turkey biot, color to match natural.

Wing:  Coastal deer hair, two CDC feathers for sizes #12-16.

Tail:  Micro fibets.
Thorax/Head:   Lightly dubbed rabbit or CDC dubbing.

This fly is a great variation of a “Compara Dun” pattern.  Not only does it have a traditional deer hair wing, it also has CDC feathers tied in behind it.  The CDC fibers tend to scatter around the fly.  The CDC not only helps to float the fly but also give the appearance of movement when the fibers touch the surface film.  Instead of a dubbed body, a goose or turkey biot is used, giving it a segmented appearance. 

To tie this fly, begin by covering the hook shank with thread.  Take a clump of coastal deer hair, stack it, and tie it in for the wing.  Try to use a little less deer hair than a traditional Compara Dun since the wing will also consist of CDC feathers.  The deer hair should be tied in with the tips extending beyond the hook shank approximately the length of the hook shank.  Leave enough room between the tie in point and hook eye to dub a small head later in the tying sequence.  Next lay in two CDC feathers on top of the coastal deer hair. 

Bring your thread back down to the bend of the hook.  Tie in and split 4-5 micro fibets just as you would with a traditional dry fly.  Tie in your goose or turkey biot by the tip to form your body.  The smooth leading edge should face the hook eye so that when you wrap it forward a segmented body is created by the trailing “fluffy” edge.  Wrap it forward up to the point where your wing is tied in.  Next, you are going to lightly dub your tying thread to form the thorax and head of the fly.  After dubbing a small thorax behind your wing tie in point, feather the deer hair and CDC back and wrap through it just as you would if tying a traditional Compara Dun.  Form a small dubbed head to keep your wing erect on the hook shank.  Tie off your thread.  Use some head cement if you so desire.  Once the wing is “stood up” preen and spread it with your fingers to form a wing to support the fly in the surface film. 

I love fishing Compara Dun style flies, especially in stretches of “flat” dry fly water.  It seems to work very well on super selective trout.

This fly can also be viewed at the Housatonic Fly Fishermen’s Association website at  www.hffa.net .  If you have any questions about this fly or would like to submit a pattern of The month I can be reached at 203 305-3850 or e-mail me at pdinice@snet.net .