Tying the Butthead Comparadun

Some of our larger early season mayflies lend themselves well to a no hackle imitation, even on rough and tumbling freestone waters.  Many fully hackled dry flies work fine, but a no hackle imitation that allows the body to sit in the surface film is a more realistic imitation of a large mayfly.  The flies in size 10 through16 actually have enough body weight to lay "in the surface film" rather than sit "on it."  The major issue is that a good many of the popular no hackle patterns of today lack enough floatability to float on rough, fast water.

The Butthead comparadun is a decent answer to that problem, and because of its wing its a highly visible pattern that presents a great profile to the fish.  This wing profile makes it a desirable imitation.
Tie up a few and try them this spring when you begin to see some of our larger mayflies appear.  I think
you'll agree its a highly effective fly.


Materials
Hook:  Dry Fly size 12-18
Thread:  Unithread 8/0 white
Tail:   Microfibbetts split by a ball of dubbing
Abdomen:   Superfine Dry Fly Dubbing
Wing:     Comparadun Hair
Thorax and Head:  Superfine Dry Fly Dubbing


What the Materials Look Like:      Hook     Thread     Tail      Abdomen    Wing     Thorax/Head


Directions for Tying the Butthead Comparadun

   
Steps 1-3:  Start tying thread and create a "ball" of dubbing just above the hook barb.  Tie in 3-4 
microfibbetts each side of the ball as shown, making them about a hook shank length long.  Allow
the ball to "split" the two groups of fibers, secure with several turns of thread.  Trim excess.  Apply
dubbing to the thread and dub 3/4 of the body as shown and leave thread positioned here.

   
Steps 4-6:  Stack a bunch of deer hair and tie it in with tips to the rear and butts out over the hook
eye.  Grasp the entire bunch and pull upward on it so that none of the hair point downward.  Apply
dubbing and wrap several turns around the hook shank and build up a "bank" of dubbing against 
the bunch of hair, forcing it to stand upright.

   
Steps 7-9:  Apply more dubbing and also create a "bank" against the "butts" of hair, also forcing them
backward and upright.  Make several turns of dubbing and create a "head" of dubbing.  Trim hair butts
forming a "head" of the butts/stubbs and trim it short as shown.  "Pull" the hairs upright that are left
and form a "fan" shape of them.  Whip finish.

 
Note how the butts are trimmed; Likewise note the fan shape of the longer wing hair that is left.  This
fly lends itself well in particular to size 12 -16 mayflies....give them a try.
   
                                                 


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                                                   Jeffrey Wilkins Fly Tying
                                                 3703 Windspray Court 
                                                             Summerfield, NC 27358
                                           (336) 644-7775   jeff@jeffreywilkinsflyfishing.com