The spring is starting in earnest, soon the Hawthorn trees will start to bloom and Hawthorn flies will appear on the water.

It's best to get ready while there is still time!

J.


Step 1: Hook Selection
Select a lightweight curved shank hook in appropriate size; here I am using Tiemco 2487BL in size 12. Size 14 can be also considered, but in my experience fish respond well to slightly oversized imitations.



Step 2: Thread
The obvious choice is black UNI 8/0 thread. Cover the whole hook thoroughly.



Step 3: Body material
For body I am using pheasant tail dyed black. It has nice structure and very little bulk. Attach it in the thorax area, in order to avoid any unseemly bumps disturbing the sleek silhouette of the abdomen.



Step 4: Build the body
Cover the pheasant tail fibres with your tying thread down to the hook bend, wind your thread back to the thorax area and wind the PT fibres back, securing them tightly.
You can also (optionally) rib the abdomen to add greater durability; a neat trick is using the leftover part of the tying thread to do so (the part you would normally cut off when initially tying in the thread).



Step 5: Attach the legs
The legs are very pronounced part of the Hawthorn fly. I am using two knotted fibres of Pheasant tail dyed black (same as the body). The choice of one or two fibres for each leg is entirely optional, I like two for more durable and pronounced legs.



Step 6: Cut the legs to size and create thorax
Cut the legs so that they will be a bit longer than the hook shank. The long legs are an important trigger point of the Hawthorn fly, you can even exaggerate a bit compared to the natural.
Dub the thorax area with a fine black dubbing. I am using muskrat, but any dry fly dubbing will do. Make sure the thorax is short but rather thick - it will hold the wings spread apart.



Step 7: Attach the wing
I am using Tiemco Aero Dry Wing, but any white or dun polypro yarn will do. Tie the wing as close to the thorax as possible, leaving still room for hackle and head.



Step 8: Attach the hackle feather
I am using low quality black rooster hackle. The ADW wing will help with flotation, so there is no need for the best quality hackle.



Step 9: Wind the hackle
Make several turns of the hackle, whip finish. No need to make too many turns of the hackle, the Hawthorn fishes the best when sunk just inside the film.



Step 10: Finishing touches
Form a neat head, add tying lacquer if desired. Cut the ADW wing to shape.
Take a step back and enjoy!

__________________
Jindra Lacko
http://graylingonfly.blogspot.com/

Enjoyed thanks.

Interesting to see the clipped legs.

Thanks for showing.

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[COLOR="Blue"]"A fish seen is a fish nearly caught"[/COLOR]

Very nice Jindra. We also have the heather fly in Scotland,
Bibio Pomonae
As the hawthorn but with orange legs.
Have a wee look here.
The Classics: Bibio

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It is in truth not glory,nor riches, nor honours that we are fighting,but for freedom - for that alone, which no honest man gives up but with his life.(Declaration of Arbroath, 1320)

maharg, thanks for pointing to your post on the B. pomonae, it's a nice one. You obviously enjoy the hatch. Pity I have yet to encounter the heather critter on my waters.
I tried the Bibio class of flies with a hint of color red, purely as attractor. They worked, but I confess I like the more realistic imitation better. Just a personal choice though ;D

Cheers!

J.

__________________
Jindra Lacko
http://graylingonfly.blogspot.com/

Nicely done Jindra....thanks for posting.

woow....very nice imitation of Bibio marci