Fly Tying Inventory
Sulphur Dun
A classic Eastern dry fly designed to imitate the Ephemerella dorothea mayfly, one of the most prolific hatches in North American trout waters. George Harvey, the renowned Penn State fishing instructor, developed influential versions beginning in the 1930s. The pale yellow body and delicate profile make this an essential pattern from late spring through summer, particularly effective during evening hatches when trout feed selectively.
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Materials
Standard dry fly hook (TMC 100), sizes 14-18
Pale yellow 6/0 or 8/0
Light dun or ginger hackle fibers
Light yellow or pale yellow Superfine dubbing (Light Cahill shade)
Cream hen hackle tips, upright and divided
Cream and medium barred ginger dry fly hackle
How to Tie the Sulphur Dun
- 1
Step 1
Mount hook and start pale yellow thread, wrapping a base to the bend.
- 2
Step 2
Tie in light dun or ginger hackle fibers for the tail.
- 3
Step 3
Dub a slim, tapered body of pale yellow dubbing forward to the wing position.
Match your local Sulphur hatch color — they range from cream to bright yellow-orange.
- 4
Step 4
Tie in cream hen hackle tips as upright, divided wings.
- 5
Step 5
Wind cream and barred ginger hackle behind and in front of wings.
- 6
Step 6
Build a small thread head, whip finish, and apply head cement.
Watch Tying Tutorial
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J_mwLqJc960
Credit: Popularized by George Harvey (1930s), Penn State