Why are Mayflies "special"

[steve101]

I've noticed that most people seem to use a number of generic types of flies to imitate upwings (paraduns, comparaduns and so on) but for imitating mayflies (which are just a large upwing?) most people seem to use mayfly specific patterns, rather than using larger versions of the generic fly types. Any particular reasons for this?

[stevekale]

I'll have a go.

I think your starting point is incorrect. For example, a comparadun is just one way of winging a fly. Other methods include hackle tip wings, slip wings, loop wings, wonder wings, split wings - the list is as long as your arm. The comparadun style can be applied to any upwing fly. (I have in my box some flies tied in the comparadun style to imitate the Mayfly.) For the most part, all of these are relatively scaleable. One would make size and colouring choices to suit the particular natural.

Outside of this, there are many "general" patterns for upwings (e.g. the Adams) as well as patterns designed for a particular upwing fly (rather than a style).

[steve101]

Hi Steve
point taken but I think I may have expressed what I meant to say badly. If I look for patterns to imitate say a Blue Winged Olive or March Brown most of the patterns seem to be say parachute hackled or collar hackled or deer hair/cdc winged or whatever with the dubbing, tail and wing material to suit the natural.

For example there doesn't seem to be a series of fly types designed to imitate the Large Dark Olive, just different colour/material combinations of "standard" upwing dries. For Mayflies on the other hand most people seem to use entirely different types of flies (wulff's, mohicans and other detached body flies etc.). My initial thoughts were that due to the size of Mayflies relative to other upwings a greater degree of realism is required.

[madjoni]

Hi Steve
for BWO this works for me just fine

[stevekale]

I would characterise a Wulff as a "general pattern" and mohican as just another way of winging a fly - any fly. Obviously the bigger size let's people play more with detached bodies but these can be tied small as well. I've seen some remarkably realistic detached body flies tied in size 16.

[seanie]

When tying or/and fishing flies during a hatch a mere suggestion is enough.Very often a size 10 or12 Sooty Olive, Green Peter or Invicta is as effective as anything.


Sean