The Claret Dabbler is the most versatile of the traditional loch-style flies. It was first developed in Ireland to imitate the very large mayflies that inhabit those world-famous fisheries, Lough Corrib and Lough Mask.  It is an effective dropper pattern for Tasmanian Lakes.

Materials

• Hook – size 10 or 12 medium cage
• Thread – caret thread
• Tail – Bronze Mallard Fibres Tail length of the shank plus a little more
• Rib – copper wire
• Hot spot – bright orange butt
• Body – Claret Seals Fur
• Saddle – hackle red about 4 turns
• Camber faces – back rib with copper wire
• Cloaking of fly (top and both sides) – dark bronze mallard

Tying Instructions

1. Cover hook with thread
2. Tie in bronze mallard tail a little longer than the shank of the hook.
3. Tie a piece of copper wire for the rib.
4. Tie in the bright orange butt.
5. Dub the body with seals fur.
6. Tie in a red or claret saddle hackle. Four turns back to the butt and then catch and rib with the copper wire.

Cloaking of fly        

Top and both sides – Dark bronze mallard feather

1. Over wing – fold it over Top of fly past bend of hook.
2. Pinch and pull straight down
3. Side wings – fold over not as long of over wing, wrap around a bit both sides
4. Throat – bronze mallard fibres

Finish the head and whip finish.