Fly Tying Inventory
Hendrickson
An iconic Catskill dry fly designed by Roy Steenrod in 1916 to imitate the Ephemerella subvaria mayfly, named after his friend Albert Hendrickson. The Hendrickson hatch is one of the most anticipated events of the Eastern trout season, signaling the true beginning of spring dry fly fishing. The distinctive pinkish-gray body, dun hackle, and wood duck wings create a convincing imitation for this important early-season hatch.
🪶 Ready to tie this?
This pattern needs 6 materials. Sign up free to check which ones you already own.
Materials
Standard dry fly hook (TMC 100), sizes 12-16
Tan or gray 6/0 or 8/0
Medium dun hackle fibers
Hendrickson Pink Superfine dubbing, or muskrat and hare's ear blend for pinkish-gray
Wood duck flank feather, upright and divided
Blue dun or dark dun dry fly hackle
How to Tie the Hendrickson
- 1
Step 1
Mount hook and start tan or gray thread, wrapping a base to the bend.
- 2
Step 2
Tie in a sparse clump of dun hackle fibers for the tail.
- 3
Step 3
Dub a slim body of Hendrickson Pink or pinkish-gray dubbing blend forward to the wing position.
The distinctive pink undertone of the Hendrickson body is key — use Hareline Superfine in 'Hendrickson Pink' or blend muskrat with a touch of red fox underfur.
- 4
Step 4
Prepare and tie in a wood duck flank feather as upright, divided wings.
Catskill proportions: wings equal to shank length, set slightly forward.
- 5
Step 5
Wind blue dun hackle behind and in front of the wings, 4-5 turns total.
- 6
Step 6
Build a small thread head, whip finish, and apply head cement.
Watch Tying Tutorial
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bTAnwwlYLio
Credit: Roy Steenrod (1916), named for Albert Hendrickson