A classic Catskill Variant with an oversized, sparse hackle and stripped quill body. No wing — the high-riding hackle creates the silhouette. Effective during March Brown and Gray Fox hatches when fish are looking up but not locked on a specific pattern.
1. Thread base — Attach tan thread behind the eye and build a base to the bend.
2. Tail — Mix ginger and grizzly hackle fibers. Tie in at the bend, extending 1.5× hook-shank. Keep fibers stiff and spread slightly.
3. Body — Tie in a stripped hackle quill at the bend. Wind forward in tight, touching turns to the 2/3 point. The quill creates a tapered, segmented body. Varnish while wet.
4. Hackle — Tie in an oversized ginger hackle at the 2/3 point. Wind 4–6 full turns forward to just behind the eye. The hackle should extend well beyond the hook gap. Tie off and trim.
5. Head — Build a small, neat head. Whip finish and apply head cement.
hook
thread
tail
body
hackle
Maccaffertium vicarium
Stenacron / Stenonema spp.
