A variant would have longer palmered hackle and usually absent a separate wing.
See these examples:
http://www.orvis.com/store/product.aspx?pf_id=90KH
...
Type: Posts; User: Silver Creek
A variant would have longer palmered hackle and usually absent a separate wing.
See these examples:
http://www.orvis.com/store/product.aspx?pf_id=90KH
...
I think that how the hackle is used determines what the trout sees. When hackle is palmered around the thorax variant dry fly style, I think it probably represents the wings. When tied on a Quigley...