This is the second "series" from Fran Betters. The first was the Haystack. Both are looks in the history of hair wing flies for me.
A series for Fran means a general pattern that is easy to tie, uses common materials and can be adjusted in size and color to match the insects on your river.
The Haystack was intented for Mayflies...but he admits it does work for Caddis also. Caddis though are prevalent on many watersheds and for sure on the Ausable so he felt he needed to develop a "series" to cover the insect. This general pattern falls into what Datus Proper calls "deer hair sedges". Who was the first to do this we probably will never know...but this simple concept is extremely effective and can be altered in color and size to suit your locals.
The basic pattern is:
Hook: dry fly standard - Mustad 94840 is what Fran used. Sizes 14, 16, 18.
Body: fur dubbing natural in the color you want. Fran liked Australian possum and muskrat but up to you.
Thread color: to match. I prefer a thicker thread like 110D or 6/0.
Wing: deer hair...again color to match.
Enjoy!
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