BORCHER'S DRAKE
An excellent generalized dark pattern used for Ephemerella, Isonychia, Leptophlebia and Siphlonurus sp. There is a parachute version that is also very popular today. This delicate pattern deserves a place in everyone’s fly box. It covers a large range of insects.
Materials:
- Hook: Mustad #94840 or #94833 Size: 8-18
- Thread: Black, 6/0
- Tail: Two or three Moose Main Hairs
- Wings: Light Blue Dun Hackle Tips
- Body: Turkey Quill Fibers
- Hackle: Grizzly & Brown, mixed
Lay down a good base of thread that covers the shank of the hook.
Tie in the tail fibers, tied slightly long.
Run the thread forward and tie in the hackle tip wings, upright and divided.
Take the thread back to the bend in the hook,
Tie in the turkey quill fibers and wrap the body
forward. Additional fibers may have to be added depending on the hook size.
Wrap and tie off the hackles. Wrap the head and add head cement.
The original was developed by Ann (Anne) Schwiegert who ran a fly shop in Roscommon, Michigan for many years. The original body was condor fibers and the original hackle was brown. Ernie Borcher who ran a canoe livery in Grayling was also a river guide and fly tier, added the grizzly hackle and it then became known as Borcher’s Drake.
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