In by email:
hello I am Ron Marshall from Naples Maine hoping you may have some info looking for the Darbee method for tying a mayfly with a single feather I used to tye them some 40 odd years ago I have since forgotten how to tye them soooo would you have any info ??? thax ron
Ron,
Perhaps you mean the ‘Two Feather Fly’
Do a ‘keyword search’(top of menu on left) and type in ‘two feather fly’. The second listing is the fly I believe you want. It’s listed as:
#292
Two Feather May
(Extended Body Mayfly)
By Clyde W. Watson, New Hampshire
I don’t believe there is a ‘one feather fly’.
Allan
tyflier- Is correct. If you can get a copy of Harry’s book it is in there. Ron
Sounds like a two feather fly to me too.
[url=http://www.flyanglersonline.com/flytying/fotw2/040703fotw.html:57581]http://www.flyanglersonline.com/flytying/fotw2/040703fotw.html[/url:57581]
The flank feather is the first, the hackle is the second.
Joe
Guys,
Mallard flank + Hackle = 2 feathers.
Harry Darbee identifies his fly as “Two Feather Fly” in his book.
Allan
I’ve tie that fly from time to time. I’ve tied it as a demonstration in front of a class and it always gets a lot of interest. It’s a neat looking fly. Usually end up giving it away. I have never used it to fish with. Has anyone here fished it? How was it?
Joe
Well, good to know Chris. Usually tie larger ones in that pattern but I’ll have to give some 18s a try.
As we are just about neighbors. I too am “out here.” Actually, used to live where you are. I haven’t made it out to fish that part of the state in a while but have been fishing the Kern a lot. Been getting some real nice fish this time of year. Ever get over to fish the Kern?
Joe
[This message has been edited by flyfisherjoe (edited 30 December 2005).]
We were quite intrigued when Irwin Thompson showed us basicly the same bug MANY seasons ago. 
It was done with one hackle and done minus the wing and shank cover.
Neat effect and intrigueing either way.
…lee s.
Ron, RW here
I live right down the road from you in Raymond. We belong to the same fishing club. You know me as Gerry. I’m the secretary of the club…lololol. If you’re gonna be at the next meeting on the 10th, I’ll bring the Darbee book along and you can check it out.
Later, RW
“We fish for pleasure; I for mine, you for yours.” -James Leisenring on fishing the wet fly-
Guys,
Just checked the Darbee book for the Two Feather Fly. Darbee wrote(pgs 55 & 56, with illustrated instructions)that he came up with the fly and then in the Oct., 1960 issue of Field & Stream, Al McClane wrote an article about it.
Allan