Captive Dun

The captive Dun is an emerging mayfly patterned created by Rene Harrop.  This very simple fly was one of the first specifically tied to imitate this stage of the mayfly’s life cycle.  A low floater it has proved effective on tailwater flows and spring creeks.  The wings, tied in by the tips at the tail position, is pulled forward over the abdomen forming a humpback.  The original wing material was duck wing fibers but the more durable and buoyant fine deer hair is often substituted.  The legs are tied in at the sides as outriggers.   When first developed synthetics were not readily available as they are today.  The trailing shuck was then tied with marabou but zelon is now the material of choice.  The color of the abdomen and thorax is matched to the mayfly being imitated.  The color of the shuck is matched to the color of the nymph and is the length of the body.  Remember that the empty nymphal shuck will be translucent and therefore lighter hued than the live nymph.

Hook : Dry fly; size to match natural

Shuck : Zelon; color to match natural

Abdomen : Dubbing; color to match natural

Thorax : Dubbing; color to match natural

Legs : Wood duck flank feather fibers

Wings : Fine deer hair

Alan Bowers

Fly tied by Alan Bowers