Fly Tying Inventory
Pale Morning Dun
A staple Western dry fly imitating the Ephemerella excrucians mayfly. The PMD hatch is one of the most prolific and important hatches in Rocky Mountain and Western trout waters, typically occurring from late June through September. The pale yellow body and light dun hackle create a convincing imitation that fools even the most selective trout during heavy hatches.
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Materials
Standard dry fly hook (TMC 100), sizes 14-18
Light tan or cream 8/0 (70 denier)
Pale dun or light ginger hackle fibers, or pale yellow Microfibbets
Pale yellow Superfine dubbing or cream rabbit dubbing
Light dun hen hackle tips, upright and divided
Pale dun or light ginger dry fly hackle
Fine yellow thread or gold wire
How to Tie the Pale Morning Dun
- 1
Step 1
Mount hook and start light tan thread, wrapping a base to the bend.
- 2
Step 2
Tie in pale dun hackle fibers or Microfibbets for the tail, about shank length.
- 3
Step 3
Optionally tie in fine yellow thread or gold wire for ribbing.
- 4
Step 4
Dub a slim, tapered body of pale yellow dubbing forward to the wing position.
PMDs have a distinctly pale yellow body — match the color carefully to your local hatch.
- 5
Step 5
Tie in light dun hen hackle tips as upright divided wings.
- 6
Step 6
Wind pale dun hackle behind and in front of the wings, 3-4 turns.
- 7
Step 7
Build a small thread head, whip finish, and apply head cement.
Watch Tying Tutorial
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lxqczFcq-6s
Credit: Traditional Western pattern, collectively refined by Western U.S. fly tyers