Fly Tying: Try a Modified French Partridge

Fly Tying:

Try a Modified French Partridge

The emergence of the large mayfly, Ephemera Danica, marks a highlight in the trout fishing season for most anglers. Join us as we delve into insights from seasoned dry fly fisherman, John Petermann, as he shares his favorite flies - and a trick or two.

By PETER LYNGBY

The anticipation of encountering the first substantial hatches of the big mayfly ignites the excitement within every fly fisher. Days filled with the spectacle of large, swirling mayflies and trout eagerly rising to feed on the surface. It’s a hatch that entices even the largest and most elusive fish to reveal themselves. However, there are days when the fish prove elusive, or the hatch disappoints.

What then? Which conditions should you seek out, and how should you adapt when the fish prefer other insects?

John Petermann has spent over three decades chasing mayfly hatches in Denmark, and he graciously shares his wealth of experience. Within minutes of conversation, John delves into his vast entomological knowledge, speaking passionately about insects and their life cycles.

Equally passionate about fly tying, John eagerly discusses various techniques available to fly tiers. We’ve asked John to focus on the essentials and recommend stable, reliable flies.

Seasons and Hatches

Venturing to the river on the right day to encounter the hatches is crucial, and John gladly provides guidance on what to look for.

“Most of my mayfly fishing is on the Kongeå and Gudenå rivers in Denmark. These two rivers boast the largest mayfly populations in the country, and day tickets are available for both. The hatches typically commence in mid-May and persist until mid-June.

The initial hatches in May offer the best fishing, although the most significant hatches occur in early June. Fish seem less cautious during the early hatches, feeding more freely. However, they tend to grow wary after a few weeks and become more challenging to catch. While I wouldn’t settle for just one trip, if pressed to choose, I’d aim for the last week of May. Yet, timing a good hatch isn’t overly difficult. Keep an eye on the weather forecast for warm days and low barometric pressure, and the insects will emerge. Days when thunder looms, the sky darkens, the wind subsides, and you can almost feel the

electricity in the air—like the calm before the storm—are ideal. While sunny days are pleasant, insect activity tends to be lower, and the fish are usually more cautious,” John advises.

The largest specimens of Ephemera Danica boast a wingspan of almost 5cm, necessitating a substantial dry fly to convincingly mimic them. However, John points out that simplicity suffices in most cases.

“There are numerous exquisite and intricate imitations of the large mayfly, many of which feature extended bodies. However, I recommend my Modified French Partridge—a simpler fly crafted to resemble the smaller, slightly darker males of the insect.

A smaller fly is easier to cast and often provides a better hook hold.

While a large brown trout has no trouble engulfing a sizable insect or its imitation, not all trout are sizable. In my experience, smaller fish tend to nudge flies with extended bodies away as they rise to them. My Modified French Partridge can be fished as the dun, representing the adult freshly hatched insect resting high on the surface. If the fish are targeting the spinner stage— the dying insect lying flat on the water—I simply trim the underside of the imitation.

My Modified French Partridge serves as my all-round fly and deviates considerably from the original French Partridge. I’ve incorporated CDC into the wing to introduce a touch of mobility. I vary its size and color to match both male and female insects,” John concludes.

When Mayflies Fail

From mid-May to mid-June, the mayfly bonanza is not without interruptions, necessitating preparation for alternative scenarios. With a plethora of other insects in the air, the fish are aware. Despite this, John chooses only a couple of other flies to carry.

“It’s crucial to remember that fish sometimes focus on other hatches, and different stretches of the same river can harbor different species. Smaller mayflies hatch during the same period, resulting in alternate hatches if observed closely. Despite the abundance of insects, fish can be highly selective.

My CDC Upright Spinner can mimic several species, including the darker yellow ones in their spinner stage. A brown spinner imitation covers multiple mayfly species, but I also include a few yellow dun imitations.

I incorporate a few white strands of FluoroFibre into the CDC wing to emulate the reflection seen on natural insects, keeping the wing sparse—a principle often overlooked in many patterns, in my view, making them easier for fly fishers to see but less natural,” John continues.

Floating Universal Nymph:

Hook: Ahrex FW 501, size 10Thread: Veevus 10/0, brownLegs: Pheasant tail fibresBody: FlyRite dubbing, medium brownLegs: Partridge neck featherWing Case: Pheasant tail fibresThorax: Hare’s ear or squirrel dubbing

CDC Upright Spinner:

Hook: Ahrex FW 501, size 10-12Thread: Veevus 10/0, brownTail: Coq de Leon hackle fibresBody: Brown peacock quill, strippedWing: Swiss CDC tied Compara-style with a few fibres of white FluoroFibre.

“Another reliable option is my Floating Universal Nymph. It’s suitable when trout are seen bulging on the surface, but their prey remains unseen. During evenings, this often indicates they’re targeting spinners, while during the day, they’re likely picking off hatching nymphs. I refer to it as the Universal Nymph because it mimics several species effectively, whether fished on the surface or just below it. Additionally, I carry a few Hawthorn imitations—a potential game-changer. Sometimes, trout meticulously pick off insects, while occasionally, they make a regular splash. In such instances, Hawthornes are often on the menu. Hawthorn flies are clumsy flyers, and a slight breeze is sufficient to push them onto the surface, where they dangle with their distinctive large legs. Particularly on Kongeåen, I’ve enjoyed successful days with fish rising to Hawthornes.”

Challenging Casting

For those not accustomed to dry fly fishing, casting the big mayflies on light tackle can pose a challenge.

Despite the recent trend toward lighter tackle, John recommends a 5-wt line without hesitation. He also prefers a line with a medium-length belly, avoiding it being too short. Large flies can twist thin leaders, so John often employs a 0.18mm tippet.

“I’m meticulous about my leaders and always tie my own. This is a longer story, but for beginners, I suggest extending a 9’ leader, opting for one with a 0.23mm tippet and adding approximately 1m of 0.18mm fluorocarbon. This aids in presenting the fly and achieving turnover.

When casting to a fish, try to angle it slightly. Avoid allowing the fish to see the fly line and aim for a drag-free drift. If you don’t entice a rise after two casts, refrain from making additional casts. You may have already spooked the fish, and if not, a third cast risks doing so. If the fish continues to feed on naturals, give it a rest. A well-presented fly that goes ignored suggests you’ve selected the wrong pattern— time to consider a change.

If the fish cease feeding, cease fishing and allow them to rest. Take mental notes of their location and avoid casting to them again until they rise several times more.

If you manage to time your outing correctly, the fishing can be exhilarating and highly productive. Remember to handle trout with care; the population isn’t what it once was, so opt for barbless hooks. They cause less harm and facilitate quicker, easier releases.”

Ephemera Danica

The mayfly was classified by Otto Friedrich Müller in 1764 and named Ephemera danica. Müller, a Danish naturalist, classified over 3000 species of fauna and flora in Scandinavia. The name “mayfly” originated in England, where particularly the southern chalk streams harbor large populations. It is one of the largest mayflies in the world, measuring 6-7cm from head to tail with a wingspan of 5-6cm. While several streams in Denmark have mayfly populations, the largest populations are found in Jutland.

Modified French Partridge:

Hook: Ahrex 571, size 4-8, primarily 6Thread: Veevus 10/0, brownTail: Three fibres from moose mane, natural brownBody: FlyRite no. 34, Brown DrakePalmer Hackle: Dark Dun cock hackleFront hackle 1: Swiss CDC Ultra Select XL, Dark Grey KhakiFront hackle 2: French partridge, natural

Tie in three moose mane fibers, ensuring they fan out evenly.

Dub the rear third of the body.

Tie in the cock hackle in front of the dubbing.

Apply more dubbing and cover the middle third of the hook shank.

Wind the hackle forwards, ensuring the fibers tilt forwards. 4-5 turns are suitable.

Form a dubbing loop and dub the forward third of the body, leaving some space behind the hook eye. Secure the fibers from the CDC feather in a clamp and transfer them to the dubbing loop.

Spin the loop and wrap the CDC over the dubbed body.

Tie in the French Partridge hackle in front of the CDC.

Wrap the hackle 2-3 times, finish with a knot and a dab of varnish, and you’re done.