Brindle Chute

In the Rocky Mountain west the late summer/fall hatches of the Timpanoga hecuba mayfly goes by many names.  Fall Drake, Tan Drake, Drake Mackerel, even the Late Green Drake (there is no green evident in the natural).  In the Missoula region it is simply called the Hecuba.  Chuck Stranahan of Hamilton MT developed this pattern that he named the Brindle Chute for fishing the Bitterroot River.  Chuck closely guards the formula for the dubbing.  It is rumored to be 50% Hare’s Ear w/Antron, 25% Olive rabbit w/Antron and 25% Rust Orange Rabbit w/Antron.  A small amount of gold rabbit is added to complete the mixture.  The Brindle Chute can cover many other hatches of tan/brown flies.  It is also a popular general attractor.

Hook : Dry fly; #10-#14

Tail : Elk hair

Wing/post : White Calf tail or synthetic substitute

Abdomen : Dubbing mix; see above

Hackle : Grizzley dyed tan

Alan Bowers

Fly tied by Al Bowers