Sparkle Dun

Description

Trout cannot resist the temptation of a Sparkle Dun!  Craig Matthews of Yellowstone, Montana developed this adult mayfly pattern in the 1980’s.  It seems to do the trick for imitating many different natural mayfly duns including, Blue-Winged Olives, Pale Morning Duns, and Sulphurs.  The Sparkle Dun has a thin and sparse profile that sits flush in the film just like the naturals.  A Sparkle Dun can be considered an ultimate guide fly, as it is durable, easy to tie and consistently catches fish.  This is our favorite BWO and PMD dun imitation to fish and is a must-have for any dry fly enthusiast!

Fishing Strategies:

The Sparkle Dun is a must-have pattern for tailwaters and spring creeks through April to June and then again in September and October.  These seasons can provide technical, humbling and rewarding dry fly fishing.  Typically fish our Sparkle Duns with 9-foot leaders terminating in 6 or 7X tippet.  We use 6X for size 16-18, and 7X for 20-22.  It is very important to watch your drag closely.  If you are getting refusals, think about dropping your tippet down a size.

Recipe:

Hook: #16-20 Tiemco 100
Thread: Olive UTC 70 Denier
Shuck: Brown Z-Lon
Abdomen: BWO Superfine
Wing: Deer hair
Thorax: BWO Superfine

Pattern Variations: