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Posts tagged "henies"

Hendrickson Hair Wing Dun

Posted by Ted Kraimer - March 20, 2018
Hendrickson Hairwing Dun Final

Hendrickson Hair Wing Dun

When some of the local rivers maintain temperatures in the mid-50s, you can expect to see Hendrickson mayflies (Ephemerella subvaria) emerging, especially in the afternoon after the sun has had a chance to warm up the water. It’s also a chance to take advantage of fish that haven’t necessarily been pressured for a while as they come out of hibernation and start feeding on the first significant mayfly to emerge in late April and into May. It might be safe to say that Hendrickson’s are the first sign of spring to an avid dry fly angler.

This version of Rene Harrops’s classic Hair Wing Dun floats well, sits in the film and represents the insect’s profile very nicely.

Hendrickson Hairwing Dun Emerger

Hendrickson Hair Wing Emerger

Since Henies can struggle to get off the water in the cooler temperatures common in the early season, they tend to be vulnerable to feeding fish. This pattern – with Its Elk Hair Caddis-like wing – allows you to skitter it on the surface just above a selectively feeding fish for added realism that can be just enough to convince a fish that has already refused your previous presentation.

By changing the tail materials to Gadwall Flank and some Z-lon, you can create an effective emerger. With the water often stained in the early season, I have a few of these ties with a piece of micro opal Flashabou as a rib to bring just a little attention to the pattern as it floats downstream.

Don’t limit this pattern just to just Hendricksons. With some minor adjustments to color and size, this pattern can be tied to represent most the mayflies found emerging in May and June.Tie some up and think Spring!

Hendrickson Hairwing Dun With Rib

Hendrickson Hair Wing Dun with Rib

Recipe

Hook:                    Gamakatsu S10 #14
Thread:                 Uni 8/0 or equivalent – Tan or Camel
Tail:                       Moose Body or Coque De Leon
Dubbing:              Custom blend of 1/3rd Olive &
:                            1/3rd Cinnamon Fine ‘N Dry dubbing
:                            and 1/3rd Muskrat Fur – hand mixed.
Hackle:                 Grizzly Dyed Dun Dry Fly
Wing:                   Medium Coastal Deer Hair

 

Tying Instructions

Hendrickson Hairwing Dun Step 1Step 1. Wrap a thread base from behind the hook eye to above the barb.

Hendrickson Hairwing Dun Step 2Step 2. Apply a very slight amount of dubbing to the thread
and create a very small and compact ball above the hook barb.

Hendrickson Hairwing Dun Step 3Step 3.  Using a hair evener/stacker, prepare 4 to 6 moose body hairs and tie on top of the shank
– mid way- so the natural tips extend one hook shank’s length beyond the hook.
Divide the hairs on either side of the small dubbing ball to help split/spread the hairs.

Hendrickson Hairwing Dun Step 4Step 4. Dub a slightly tapered body to the half-way point up the hook shank.

Hendrickson Hairwing Dun Step 5Step 5. Choose a hackle feather that is one size too large and
tie in the hackle by  the stem up against the dubbing.
To help secure the feather, trim some of the barbules close to the stem.

Hendrickson Hairwing Dun Step 6Step 6. Dub the thorax area stopping about one hook eye’s length shy of the hook eye itself.

Hendrickson Hairwing Dun Step 7Step 7. Wind the hackle fully through the thorax area and tie off between dubbing and hook eye.

Hendrickson Hairwing Dun Step 8Step 8. Prepare, clean and stack a clump of deer hair that is a little thicker than a coffee stir stick/straw.
Tie in the deer hair so the tips – when laid down – extend the length of the dubbed body.
Use a couple of loose lasso-wraps of thread before securing and flaring the deer hair.
The tips of the hair should be pointed back and upwards.

Hendrickson Hairwing Dun Step 9Step 9. Trim the deer hair off the front of the fly so that it sticks up a little.
Think of how an elk hair caddis is tied. Whip finish.|

Hendrickson Hairwing Dun Step 10Step 10. Trim the hackle on the underside of the fly, flat, so that it is doesn’t extend beyond the hook point.

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dry fly fishing, Ephemerella subvaria, hair wing dun hendrickson, hairwing dun emerger, hendrickson emerger, hendrickson mayfly pattern, hendrickson pattern, henies, renne harrop

May Mayfly Emergences – Hendricksons

Posted by Ted Kraimer - May 13, 2015

It’s Mid-May and we are in the middle of Hendricksons which continue to emerge on certain days on local rivers including the Manistee, Boardman and AuSable.

May mayfly emergences continue to baffle us and are occurring at times and in weather counter to what is typical which means the best time to be out is anytime you can because you never know when bugs will be on the surface. Some of the lighter and smaller henies are starting to emerge as the larger, dark ones are starting to taper off but it would be a good idea to have both in your fly box if headed to the trout water. Spinner falls in the evening up until dusk have been common on the warmer evenings. Look for some Black Quills and even Sulphurs to start up soon. With the various mayflies emerging and adult spinner falls this is a great time of year to fish a Borchers Drake and Borchers Emerger. Medium brown stones and black caddis are popping some days, too, as the leaves are really filling out on the trees along the riverbanks.

Water conditions are ideal as far as level, clarity and temperature.  Streamer fishing continues to be a great way to cover the water between hatches to find those bigger fish looking to eat big. No color or combination has worked better than another so mix it up and look for their daily preference.

Bluegill have moved into the shallow water on certain lakes and ponds as some are spawning and others are pre-spawning. This is a great time of year to get access to the big “slabs” that are usually in water too deep for the fly fisher. While surface flies are the most fun to use for panfish, often it’s the small streamer or nymph fished subsurface that gets the bigger fish to play along.

Good Luck,

Ted

Trout Season – Streamer & Dry Fly fishing is ideal throughout May on the Upper Manistee & AuSable Rivers.
September Salmon – Dates are limited for fishing the Betsie River in early Sept. and later on the Manistee.
2015 Fishing – It isn’t too early to get your fishing trips planned for the year. Booking all species/seasons.

ausable, bluegill, boardmand, borchers, dark hendrickson, emergences, hendrickson, henies, light hendrickson, manitsee, panfish, sulphur

Trout Fishing and Spring Just Starting

Posted by Ted Kraimer - May 6, 2015

It’s really feeling like spring around northwest Michigan – warm temps, blue skies and green showing up fast on both the ground and on trees.  The transition from steelhead fishing to trout fishing has been kind of stuck with neither fishing extremely well right now but one gets the sense that it’s going to change in the blink of an eye.

With the lack of rain, no fresh steelhead have moved into the river. Anglers fishing the Betsie and Manistee will find a few spawning fish but they are well aware of angler’s intent and disperse with some fishing pressure. The dark water (holes and slots) around the gravel are offering better angling for both steelhead and trout right now and most drop-back fish have done just that – made it back to the lake after spawning. The long-term forecast is calling for rain over the weekend and into next week which should bring up any remaining fish, but expect them to come and go as water temps are warm and is running clear.

The warm rain would be a good thing for the trout rivers as well. Most of the trout water – the Boardman, Upper Manistee, AuSable are also running clear – especially for this time of year. With water temps in the mid to upper 50s look for Hendricksons to be emerging in better numbers rather than the trickle of bugs which has been more common. “Henies” love warm overcast days so if you can pick your day accordingly, do so. A few black stoneflies and even a black caddis or two have been around so have some of those patterns with you as well.

Until the dry fly fishing gets going, cover some water with streamers – this is the ideal time to cover lots of water for that really big brown trout. With what seems like everyone fishing the biggest, double and triple articulated and over-accessorized streamer patterns right now, consider down-sizing things a bit and fish something a little more natural. Like usual, though, mix it up to see what might be working better that day.

The coldwater found in local lakes has kept the bluegill/panfish in the depths but this too should change overnight as fish move into fly-friendly shallow water and provide some great fishing for big gills over the next month.

Good luck,

Ted

Trout Season – Streamer & Dry Fly fishing is ideal throughout May on the Upper Manistee & AuSable Rivers.
September Salmon – Dates are limited for fishing the Betsie River in early Sept. and later on the Manistee.
2015 Fishing – It isn’t too early to get your fishing trips planned for the year. Booking all species/seasons.

ausable, Betsie, black stoneflies, bluegill, boardman, fly fishing, hendricksons, henies, manistee, northwest michigan, steelhead, streamers, upper-manistee
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