A Mayfly Dun's Eyes

[Byron haugh]

Well, this is something that has "bothered" me (more accurately piqued my interest) for the last 40 years and I have never tried to get an explanation to date.
Thought I might try now.

Some of the hatches of sub imago insects (particularly the males) have extremely pronounced eyes.

Now, in tying, most tiers (myself included) will say: "tie off a neat head".

Anyway, what I am trying to figure out is: Why do we tie off a neat head vs. something that looks similar to the insect's head (eyes actually)?

Has anyone else wondered and, if so, what is your conclusion.

This photo is of a March Brown from Troutnut.com

[Hans Weilenmann]

Well, this is something that has "bothered" me (more accurately piqued my interest) for the last 40 years and I have never tried to get an explanation to date.
Thought I might try now.

Some of the hatches of sub imago insects (particularly the males) have extremely pronounced eyes.

I think you mean imago (spinner to you and me).

Now, in tying, most tiers (myself included) will say: "tie off a neat head".

Anyway, what I am trying to figure out is: Why do we tie off a neat head vs. something that looks similar to the insect's head (eyes actually)?

Has anyone else wondered and, if so, what is your conclusion.

Sure. I go for a tiny "absent" head and call it the neck of the insect, with the hook eye being the prominent insect head. Problem solved...

Cheers,
Hans W

[WarrenP]

" with the hook eye being the prominent insect head. Problem solved... "

Paint the hook eye a shade of white!

[redietz]

I think you mean imago (spinner to you and me).

The fly pictured is a dun (not a spinner) American March Brown (Maccaffertium vicarium).

When I'm tying a fly with prominent, highly colored eyes, I usually tie a large head of the appropriate color. I'll even switch to a heavier thread for the head for just that reason. I personally believe the eyes/head are a hot spot. On flies where I tie off behind the hackle, I'll add a large false head as the first step in tying.

On flies without a prominent head or eyes, the "eye of the hook is the head" is as good theory as any.

I think issue is more important with wet flies than dry. I doubt that the eyes are even visible to the fish on a floating fly.

[Byron haugh]

Hans,
Perhaps, but I thought at least the second photo is of the sub imago stage?
Sorry, can't quite go for the hook eye fulfilling the bill for the orbits................
It always comes down to what a tier is willing to deal with in terms of imitation v the "traditional" look of a tied fly........?

[Byron haugh]

Yes, 'twas Hans who said imago.......

Here is my quick-and-dirty alternative of a March Brown




Or, the Green Eyed Monster

[johnstoeckel]

I never really thought about it, but there are some patterns that have a bulkier head. Those with clipped deer or elk hair extending forward such as the Harrop Hairwing Dun come to mind. There are also some with thicker dubbing in front of the wing and right to the eye (with just a few thread wraps to finish) such as most of the Comparaduns and Sparkle Duns.