Black & Purple

This wet fly pattern is a favorite of HFFA member Paul Dinice.  He fishes it pretty much throughout the year utilizing it in different sizes depending upon what flies are available in the river.  He believes that the use of the purple UV dubbing makes this fly especially effetive.  

• Hook:                    wet fly hook of choice of TMC 100BL, sizes 12 to 20                   
• Thread:                 8/0 (70 denier) black                 
• Tail:                       3 to 5 black pheasant tail fibers
• Body:                    black thread
• Rib:                        copper wire
• Thorax:                 purple UV dubbing such as ice dubbing or seal-tex                  
• Hackle:                 one or two wraps of black hen neck hackle 

Start thread at the eye and wrap down the hook to the bend.  The tail fibers should be about the length of the hook shank.   Tie them in allowing the butts to extend up the hook shank to provide the under layer for the thread body.  Attach the wire and then build up a slender thread body leaving room for the thorax and hackle.  Wind the copper ribbing and then coat the body with two coats of head cement.  Dub the thorax with a couple of wraps being careful not to over dub since the entire fly should have a slender profile (admittedly, the picture above shows the body a bit thicker than it probably should be).  Apply the hackle with one or two wraps, build a small head, whip finish, and apply head cement.