Irresistible

 

A “Dun” is that stage of the life cycle of a Mayfly when it emerges and rests on the surface of the water or nearby vegetation whilst its wings dry. During the Dun stage it is very vulnerable to passing and searching fish.

The Baetis Dun is a generic representation for members of the “Baetidae” family of Mayflies.

If you have a look at Baetidae there are fundamentals of shape that are common across the species and captured by this pattern. The tail consists of only three filaments; the body is more thick set than Caenis and Lento Duns with 9 not so distinct segments. They have 6 legs and wings faces back at about a 60 degree angle. They generally present on the water with their wings separated. The males have protruding eyes sitting on top of their heads.

The Adams Irresistible is just one representation of a Baetis Dun. It floats like a cork and what's more fish accept it as a variety of food items. In smaller sizes it is an excellent Baetis Dun imitation and an excellent fly in still water particularly when Snow Flake Caddis are about. In larger sizes it is an excellent fly for fast water or as a top fly in dry / nymph combination. Change the material colours to tie flies representing Baetis Duns in your target fishery.

Materials

Hook Thread Tail Body & Thorax Wings Hackle
12 to 16 light gauge long shank Grey Grizzly & brown feather hackle fibres or moose hair Clipped natural Deer Hair or gray / brown dubbing Grizzly or brown hackle tips or gray duck feather slips One Grizzly and one Brown hackle

Process

 

A
  1. Because the body of this fly is spun deer hair you have to leave as much as possible of the hook shank free of thread.  Start the fly by taking six or seven turns of thread at the bend of the hook.

 

B
  1. Tie in a tail equal to about 3/4 of the length of the hook shank of  5 or 6 hackle fibres or moose hair. You should not need it but its good insurance to put a drop of head cement on the spot where the tail is tied in.

 

C
  1. Now spin deer hair along the rear 2/3 of the bare hook shank and trim it to shape with a sharp pair of scissors or a blade.

 

D
  1. Take two matching feather tips and tie them in as wings in an upright but separated position half the distance between the body and the eye of the hook.

 

E
  1. Tie in two similar shaped hackle feathers between the body and the wings.
  2. Take the thread forward to the 95% position.

 

F
  1. Wind the hackle equally behind and in front of the wing and tie off and trim.
  2. Build up a neat head.
  3. Whip finish and varnish the head.