Sparkle Dun – Callibaetis
John Juracek and I started tying the Sparkle Dun in the early 1980’s as a Pale Morning Dun imitation for the selective trout on the Henry’s Fork. The PMD emergences on this river are legendary, and to consistently fool the big rainbows we needed a better fly than was available at that time. We wanted a fly that was more durable and longer floating than the popular no-hackle pattern, and was a better imitation of an emerger/impaired-stillborn dun than the Comparadun style of fly. After a bit of trial and error, we and our fly tiers at Blue Ribbon Flies came up with the Sparkle Dun, a simple but clean combination of zelon, deer hair and dubbing that gave the fly the silhouette and floating qualities we wanted. We soon discovered the new fly worked remarkably well. The Henry’s Fork trout respond strongly to this pattern, especially during early morning emergences.
Key Features
| Component | Material |
|---|---|
| Zelon | Primary body material |
| Deer Hair | For natural texture and movement |
| Dubbing | For added weight and realistic appearance |
FAQ
What type of trout does the Sparkle Dun imitate?
The Sparkle Dun imitates the Pale Morning Dun emerger, specifically targeting selective trout on the Henry’s Fork.
Is the Sparkle Dun suitable for early morning fishing?
Yes, it is particularly effective during early morning emergences when Pale Morning Duns are active.
Can the Sparkle Dun be used in other rivers besides the Henry’s Fork?
Please contact customer service for information on its performance in other waters.
Dylan Smith –
Fished the Sparkle Dun on the Henry’s Fork during a spring morning and saw several trout take it. The fly floated well and looked natural in the current. Great for emerger patterns.
Rebecca Bell –
Used it in a cold-water stream and noticed good action. The zelon and deer hair combination gives a realistic emerger look. A bit more durable than other similar patterns.
Andrea Dowd –
This fly worked perfectly during a dawn session. The floating behavior matched the natural emerger, and the trout reacted strongly.
Jacob Burgess –
Tied it myself and found the materials easy to work with. The dubbing adds a nice touch and helps with balance in the water.