When tying imitations of the mayfly dun, mallard flank feather is a very effective but under-used material, at least on this side of the Irish Sea. The light speckling creates an effect similar to that of a mayfly dun’s wings, especially if the feather has been dyed either yellow or a similar shade known as summer duck. It comes in a range of sizes, the smallest of which provide the base for the classic Fan-wing Mayfly where a pair of matched plumes create wings where the natural curve of the feather diverge or fan to imitate the mayfly’s wings.
In wet flies the material is normally used as a hackle, the long fibres sweeping back over the body. It can also be used in a similar way when used to tie a dry fly but in this instance it is normal to use a smaller plume so that the hackle turns can be used in a more upright position. Also the feather fibres may be used in bunches.
HOOK: Size 8 medium weight wet fly or nymph hook
THREAD: Yellow
TAIL: Moose hair
RIB: Thick brown thread
BODY: Cream coloured dubbing
WING: Dirty yellow CDC and dyed yellow mallard flank
THORAX: Dark brown dubbing
HACKLE: Golden badger, ginger or grizzle cock hackle
This summer, fly-fishing fanatics from across the country will descend on Ragley Hall, Warwickshire, for The Game Fair 2025
Join the UK River Summit on July 8 at London’s River Wandle for talks, art, fly-fishing and debate uniting policymakers, scientists, anglers and artists to promote clean rivers and better water use.