Fran’s Haystack

One of my current favorite flies is the Usual, a snowshoe hare’s foot pattern developed by Francis Betters. I was doing some research and found the predecessor to it, the Haystack. It can be changed to match differing hatches and floats well. The Haystack is also the predecessor of the Comparadun and Sparkle Dun, the major differences being these are sparsely dressed.

The Haystack

Hook: Standard Dry Fly Hook #12-16
Thread: 6/0 Thread to match color of body
Wing: Fine Elk Hair or Deer Body Hair; Look for hair labeled as Comparadun Hair
Tail: Same hair as the wing
Body: Superfine or other dry fly dubbing

Click here for the Step by Step tying instructions for the Haystack

~ by pacres on September 29, 2008.