Adult Mayfly Patterns
Adult Mayflies with some exceptions are fragile and delicate little insects capable of winged flight for only a relatively brief portion of their life cycle. At the time of emergence, they often struggle on the waters surface to escape their exoskeleton and become airborne. Once airborne, they mate and often return to the water as a dying spinner or an ovipositing female in either case food for trout.
Delicate in nature, mayfly duns can be tied on the smallest of hooks with the thinnest of thread and materials. Feather barbs, peacock herl, quill sections, natural dubbing and 6/0 thread often come together in glorious fashion to create this miniature art form. With many standard mayfly patterns tied in the 18-14 range some pattern recipes routinely call for sizes as small as 20 with size 12 being a normal maximum. Pictured here is a Light Cahill, an old standard pattern created in the 1880's by Daniel Cahill.
Quill bodies can be considered as a sub-category of mayfly patterns themselves with many pattern recipes offered in this style. Quill body sections striped of all barbs imitate the segmented body of a mayfly both naturally and effectively.
Adams Pattern Recipe: Hook-TMC100, Thread-Gray 6/0 sizes 10-20, Wing-Upright and separated grizzly hackle tips, Tail- Mixed brown and grizzly hackle barbs, Body-Natural muskrat fur dubbing, Hackle-Brown and grizzly mixed and wrapped collar style.
Adams Female Pattern Recipe: Hook-TMC100, Thread-Gray 6/0 sizes 10-20, Wing-Upright and separated grizzly hackle tips, Tail- Mixed brown and grizzly hackle barbs Butt-Yellow poly dubbing egg sac, Body- Natural muskrat fur dubbing, Hackle- Brown and grizzly mixed and wrapped collar style.
Adams Irresistible Pattern Recipe: Hook-TMC100 sizes 10-16, Thread- Black 6/0, Tail- Natural dark moose body hair, Body- Light natural caribou body hair spun and shaped to taper towards the rear, Wings- Grizzly hen hackle tips, Hackle- Brown and grizzly mixed and wrapped collar style.
Adams Moose Tail Pattern Recipe: Hook-TMC100, Thread-Gray 6/0 sizes 10-16, Wing-Upright and separated grizzly hackle tips, Tail- Natural moose body hair, Body-Natural muskrat fur dubbing, Hackle-Brown and grizzly mixed and wrapped collar style.
Biot Gordon/Hendrickson Dun Pattern Recipe: Hook- TMC100- sizes 12-16, Tread- Tan 6/0 Nylon, Tail- Dark blue dun hackle fibers, Body- Dun dyed wild turkey biot, Wing- Medium blue dun hackle tips, Hackle- Dark blue dun wound as collar. Pattern Designer: A.K. Best
Blue Dun Pattern Recipe: Hook- TMC100 sizes 12-20, Thread- Gray 6/0, Tail- Blue dun hackle barbs Wings- Light gray duck quill sections upright and separated, Body- Natural muskrat fur dubbing, Hackle- Blue dun wrapped collar style.
Blue Quill Pattern Recipe: Hook-TMC100 sizes 14-20, Thread-Gray 6/0, Tail Blue dun hackle barbs, Wings- Upright and separated Blue dun hen tips, Rib- Fine silver wire reverse wrap, Body- Dark blue dun saddle hackle stem, Hackle-Blue dun wrapped collar style.
Blue Wing Olive Pattern Recipe: Hook- TMC100sizes 12-22, Thread- Olive 6/0, Tail- Blue dun hackle barbs, Wings- Upright and separated blue dun hackle tips, Body- Lime green floss, Hackle- Blue dun wrapped collar style
Brown Drake Pattern Recipe: Hook- TMC5212 size 10, Thread- Tan 6/0, Wings- Medium brown natural elk hair tied upright and separated Tail- Black moose hair fibers, Rib- Yellow floss, Body- Tan superfine dubbing, Hackle- Golden dyed grizzly wrapped collar style. Pattern Designer: Mike Lawson
Cahill (Cream Color Scheme) Pattern Recipe: Hook- TMC100 sizes 10-12-, Thread- Cream 6/0, Wings- Cream wood duck flank fibers tied upright and separated, Tail- Light tan hackle barbs, Body- Stripped dark cream hackle stem, Hackle- Cream wrapped collar style.
Cahill (Dark Color Scheme) Pattern Recipe: Hook- TMC100 sizes 12-18, Thread- Black 6/0, Wings- Wood duck flank fibers tied upright and separated, Tail- Brown hackle barbs, Body- Creamish tan natural fur dubbing, Hackle- Light ginger wrapped collar style.
Cahill (Light Color Scheme) Pattern Recipe: Hook- TMC100 sizes 12-20, Thread- Cream 6/0, Wings- Wood duck flank fibers tied upright and separated, Tail- Light ginger hackle barbs, Body- Natural muskrat fur dubbing, Hackle- Light ginger wrapped collar style.
Cahill (Light Quill Dun Variation) Pattern Recipe: Hook- TMC100- sizes 14-18, Thread- Yellow 6/0, Tail- Light ginger hackle barbs, Body- Yellow dyed hackle stem, Wing- Dark cream dyed hen hackle tips, Hackle- Light ginger wound as collar. Pattern Designer: A.K. Best
Cahill (Medium Color Scheme) Pattern Recipe: Hook- TMC100 sizes 12-20, Thread- Cream 6/0, Wings- Wood duck flank fibers tied upright and separated, Tail- Ginger hackle barbs, Body- Tan natural fur dubbing, Hackle- Brown wrapped collar style.
Cahill (Pink Color Scheme) Pattern Recipe: Hook- TMC100 sizes 12-20, Thread- Tan 6/0, Wings- Wood duck mallard flank fibers tied upright and separated, Tail- Pale ginger hackle barbs, Body- Tanish pink poly dubbing, Hackle- Pale ginger wrapped collar style.
Callibaetis Quill Dun Pattern Recipe: Hook- TMC100- sizes 14-16, Thread- Gray 6/0, Tail- Light medium blue dun hackle fibers, Body- Light medium blue dun dyed hackle stem, Wing- Light medium blue dun hackle tips, Hackle- Light gray wound as collar. Pattern Designer: A.K. Best
Coffin Fly Pattern Recipe: Hook- TMC5212 sizes 8-10, Thread- White 6/0, Tail- Dark moose hair tied split, Abdomen- White rabbit dubbing, Thorax- Black Rabbit dubbing, Wing- Natural deer hair.
Colorado Green Drake Pattern Recipe: Hook- TMC5212 sizes 12, Thread- Dark Olive 6/0, Wing- Medium blue dun hackle tips, Tail- Dark natural moose body hair fibers, Rib- Dark olive floss, Body- Olive brown dyed rabbit fur dubbing, Hackle- Brown and olive grizzly mixed and wound as collar.
Eastern Green Drake Dun Pattern Recipe: Hook- TMC100 size 8, Thread- Pale yellow 6/0, Wing- Natural light brown deer body hair tied upright and seperated, Tail- Pale yellow elk body hair fibers, Abdomen- Pale yellow elk body hair tied extended, Hackle- Brown, grizzly and olive mixed and wound as collar.
Eastern March Brown Biot Dun Pattern Recipe: Hook- TMC100- sizes 12-14, Tread- Tan 6/0 Nylon, Tail- Dark ginger hackle barbs, Body- Wood duck dyed wild turkey biot, Wing- Light medium blue dun hackle tips, Hackle- Medium ginger and light grizzly mixed and wound as collar. Pattern Designer: A.K.
Ginger Quill Pattern Recipe: Hook- TMC100 sizes 12-18, Thread- Yellow 6/0, Tail- Golden ginger hackle barbs, Wing- Natural gray duck quill section, Body- Stripped peacock quill, Hackle- Golden Ginger wound collar style.
Gray Fox Pattern Recipe: Hook- TMC100 sizes 12-16, Thread- Light yellow 6/0, Tail- Ginger hackle barbs , Wings- Mallard flank upright and separated, Body- Light colored natural red fox fur dubbing, Hackle- Ginger and Grizzly mixed wrapped as a collar.
Gray Fox Variant Pattern Recipe: Hook- TMC100 sizes 12-16, Thread- Light yellow 6/0, Tail- Ginger hackle barbs , Body- Light colored ginger hackle stem, Hackle- Ginger and Grizzly mixed wrapped as a variant (longer than standard) collar.
Green Drake Pattern Recipe: Hook- TMC5212 sizes 10-12, Thread- Olive 6/0, Tail- Natural dark moose hair, Wings- Blacktail deer hair tied upright and separated, , Rib- Working thread Olive 6/0, Body- Dubbed cream colored poly, Hackle- Olive Grizzly wrapped collar style.
Green Drake Pattern Recipe Variation: Hook- TMC5212 size12, Thread- Olive 6/0, Tail- Black moose body hair fibers, Wings- Natural dark gray elk hair tied upright and separated, Rib- Yellow floss, Body- Olive Superfine dubbing, Hackle- Dyed yellow-chartreuse grizzly wrapped collar style. Pattern Designer: Mike Lawson
Green Drake Dun Pattern Recipe: Hook- TMC5212 size12, Thread- Green 3/0 Monocord, Tail- Natural dark elk hair, Rib- Brown single strand floss, Body- Tanish olive fur dubbing, Wings- Medium blue dun hackle tips tied upright and separated, Hackle- One dyed olive grizzly and one medium blue dun mixed and wrapped collar style. Pattern Designer: A.K. Best
H&L Variant Pattern Recipe: Hook- TMC100 sizes 10-18, Thread- Brown 6/0, Tail- White calf tail, Wings- White calf tail tied upright and separated, Body- Front half peacock herl, rear half dark peacock quill Hackle- Brown wrapped as a collar.
Hendrickson (Dark Color Scheme) Pattern Recipe: Hook- TMC100 sizes12-18, Thread- Gray 6/0, Tail- Dark blue dun hackle barbs, Wings- Barred wood duck feather fibers tied upright and separated, Body- Natural muskrat fur dubbing, Hackle- Dark blue dun wrapped as a collar.
Hendrickson (Light Color Scheme) Pattern Recipe: Hook- TMC100 sizes12-18, Thread- Tan 6/0, Tail- Medium blue dun hackle barbs, Wings- Barred wood duck feather fibers tied upright and separated, Body- Natural light (urine-stained) male red fox belly fur, Hackle- Medium blue dun wrapped as a collar.
Hex Adult Pattern Recipe: Hook- Mustad 94840 size 4, Thread- Yellow 3/0 Monocord, Tail- Stiff brown barbs, Wings- Natural dark gray deer body hair tied upright and separated, Body- Olive brown fur dubbing, Hackle- Dyed yellow grizzly wrapped as a collar.
Mahogany Dun Pattern Recipe: Hook- TMC100 sizes12-18, Thread- Black 6/0, Tail- Ginger and dark blue dun hackle barbs mixed, Wings- Gray mallard flank feather fibers tied upright and separated, Body- Reddish brown striped saddle hackle stem, Hackle- Dark brown wrapped as a collar.
March Brown American Pattern Recipe: Hook- TMC100 sizes 12-14, Thread- Orange 6/0, Tail- Brown hackle barbs, Wings- Gray duck quill sections tide upright and separated, Rib- Fine gold wire, Body- Natural tan rabbit fur dubbing, Hackle- Brown and grizzly mixed wrapped as a collar. Pattern Designer: Art Flick
March Brown Flick Pattern Recipe: Hook- TMC100 sizes 12-14, Thread- Tan 6/0, Wings- Mallard wood duck flank sections tide upright and separated Tail- Dark ginger hackle barbs, Body- Natural red fox fur dubbing, Hackle- Dark brown and grizzly mixed wrapped as a collar. Pattern Designer: Art Flick
Olive Quill Dun Pattern Recipe: Hook- TMC100- sizes 16-20, Thread- Light olive 6/0, Tail- Medium dun spade hackle fibers, Body- Olive dyed hackle stem, Wing- Medium blue dun hackle tips, Hackle- Medium blue dun wound as collar. Pattern Designer: A.K. Best
Olive Dun Extended Body Pattern Recipe: Hook- TMC100- sizes 16, Thread- Black 6/0, Tail- Three light dun tailing fibers, Rib- Yellow 3/0 thread, Body- Gray-Olive Superfine dubbing wound as extended, Wing- Dun goose primary fibers, Hackle- Ginger wound as collar. Pattern Designer: Bing Lempke
Pale Evening Dun Pattern Recipe: Hook-TMC100 sizes 14-20, Thread- Cream 6/0, , Wings- Natural gray duck quill sections tied upright and separated, Tail- Light blue dun hackle barbs Body- Pale yellow rabbit dubbing, Hackle- Medium blue dun wrapped as a collar.
Pale Morning Dun Pattern Recipe: Hook-TMC100 sizes 14-20, Thread- Olive 6/0, Tail- Light ginger hackle barbs, Wings- Light ginger hackle tips tied upright and separated, Body- Cream Antron dubbing, Hackle- Light ginger wrapped as a collar.
Pale Morning Dun Extended Body Pattern Recipe: Hook- TMC100- sizes 18, Thread- Pale yellow 6/0, Tail- Three clear tailing fibers, Body- Pale yellow Superfine dubbing wound as extended, Wing- Natural gray duck quill sections tied upright and separated, Hackle- Light Ginger wound as collar and clipped on bottom. Pattern Designer: Bing Lempke
Pale Morning Quill Dun Pattern Recipe: Hook- TMC100- sizes 14-18, Thread- Beige 6/0, Tail- Medium ginger hackle fibers, Body- Tanish-Olive dyed hackle stem, Wing- Creamish gray hen hackle tips, Hackle- Medium ginger dun wound as collar. Pattern Designer: A.K. Best
Quill Gordon Pattern Recipe: Hook-TMC100 sizes 12-16, Thread- Gray 6/0, Tail- Blue dun hackle barbs, Wings- Barred wood duck feather sections, Body- Peacock quill stripped, Hackle- Blue Dun wrapped as a collar.
Red Quill Pattern Recipe: Hook-TMC100 sizes 12-18, Thread-Gray 6/0, Tail- Medium blue dun hackle barbs, Wings- Wood duck flank fibers tied upright and separated, Body- Dark brown saddle hackle stem, Hackle-Medium blue dun wrapped collar style.
Sulfur Dun Pattern Recipe: Hook-TMC100 sizes 14-18, Thread- Light yellow 6/0, Tail- Light yellow hackle barbs, Wings- Light yellow hackle tips tied upright and separated, Body- Light yellow bunny blend dubbing, Hackle- Light yellow wrapped as a collar.
Trico Dun Female Loop Wing Pattern Recipe: Hook-TMC100 sizes 18-24, Thread- Black 8/0 Nylon, Tail- Blue Dun barbs tied in split, Body- Working thread 8/0 Nylon, Wing- Small Loop of white poly yarn.
Trico Quill Dun Pattern Recipe: Hook- TMC100- sizes 18-24, Thread- White and Black 8/0 Uni-Thread 6/0, Tail- Four or five white hackle fibers, Body- Pale green dyed hackle stem, Thorax- Black fur or synthetic dubbing, Wing- White hen hackle tips, Hackle- Black wound as collar. Pattern Designer: A.K. Best
White Miller Pattern Recipe: Hook- TMC100- sizes 12-16, Thread- White 6/0 Uni-Thread 6/0, Wing- White duck quill sections, Tail- White hackle fibers, Rib- Thin flat silver Mylar, Body- White floss, Hackle- White wound as collar.