How to Tie the Sparkle Dun

Fly Tying

Aug 31

The Sparkle Dun is a proven dry fly that imitates emerging mayflies with a subtle trailing shuck and buoyant wing — perfect for matching the hatch during heavy rises.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Tying the Sparkle Dun

Step 1: Start the Thread
Secure your hook in the vise (size 16 F&M Ultimate Dry shown). Start the thread (Unithread 8/0 Light Cahill) behind the eye and wrap back halfway down the shank, then return to about halfway forward.

Step 2: Prepare the Deer Hair Wing
Select a patch of wild roe deer hair with a summer coat texture. Cut a small bunch, remove the underfur by hand, and stack it tips-first using a hair stacker. Tie in the deer hair so the tips extend almost to the eye, forming the forward-facing comparadun wing. Trim the butts and secure them tightly with wraps.

Step 3: Add the Sparkle Shuck
Cut a single strand of Semperfli Ultrafine Dry Yarn in tan. Align the ends and lay it on top of the deer hair wing, extending backward to match the length of the hook. Tie it down and wrap rearward to form the tail or "shuck." Trim any excess.

Step 4: Build the Body
Dub a small amount of Ultradry dubbing in light olive onto your thread. Start from the back and wrap forward, tapering slightly as you go. The body can be thin or thick depending on preference.

Step 5: Secure the Wing and Finish the Fly
Bring the wing upright and add a touch more dubbing in front of it to post the wing and lock it upright. Stroke back any fibers and finish with a neat head. Apply varnish to your thread and whip finish behind the hook eye.