This fly was shown to me over 40 years ago by the late Russ Malone. I resurrected it several years ago and it has since become a staple in my flybox. It was originally know by a different name (and still is by those who know it) but for publication we

will call it the MacGyver. This label is appropriate because of the TV show of the same name. In the show the protagonist would extradite himself from a tight spot by utilizing common materials to contrive a solution to his problem. This fly does that.
Using just two common materials you can quickly tie a pattern that has proven itself in a varity of situations. It is my belief that is effective because the trout sees it as a dead or impaired insect that will make an easy meal.

This pattern is just a dubbed body and a parachute hackle. The body should be rough, resist all temptation to make it appear neat. I use the lower part of my hackle as the post. Clip it off near the bottom where it is fairly stiff. Then trim off the
hackle fibers leaving short stubs. Tie in the post and hackle, dub the body and wind the hackle. Trim off the post close to the hackle.

Hook : Dry fly; #12- #18

Body : Hare’s ear – dub very rough

Post : Hackle stem end

Hackle : Golden badger

Alan Bowers

Fly tied by Alan Bowers