The Harrops Callibaetis Paraspinner uses a creative technique to create a spinner wing, a simple clip of the parachute wing.
Materials
Hook:
Daiichi 1180 or 1190, Dai Riki 300 or TMC 100, #18 – 14
Thread:
8/0 tan
Tail:
Microfibbets or Coq de Leon tailing material – light tan
Body:
Turkey or goose biot – callibaetis color
Post:
Poly trimmed to 1/3 usual length
Thorax:
Superfine dubbing – callibaetis color
Hackle:
Grizzly or silver badger, two sizes larger than usual. Trim fibers over eye to form a wide “V” shape
Directions
- Begin thread at hook eye. Wind thread half way down shank and half way back towards eye ending at ¼ mark.
- Tie in post material.
- Tie in 2 tails and split. Length should be 1 ½ – 2 X body length.
- Tie in biot, curved side down. Optional – lay thin base of head cement or super glue to add strength. Wrap forward to thorax area, ending at post.
- Tie in hackle up post.
- Dub thorax and position thread directly behind eye.
- Wrap down post 5 – 6 turns and tie off.
- Trim hackle by cutting “V”.
- Whip finish.
This is my version of a Rene Harrop designed fly.
To learn more about the real bugs, visit my blog – Callibaetis Mayflies.
Another excellent tie, John; thank you.
I also use a Catskill style callibaetis but, with a wally wing with the underneath, hackle removed. As often as not it produces savage takes from large rainbows. I assume its success is also a result of a larger profile.
John, I want to thank you for sharing all this wonderful information. The detailed info on tying these flies saves a lot of research for those of us who may not be familiar with all of them, or in my case, I have not tied most of these dries. I still remember the excellent presentation you gave Southern Oregon Fly Fishers.
John