Bent Evening Dun

This Pale Evening Dun pattern uses a bent wing for the wings. The wings look difficult, but I'll step you though the process. Begin by tying in four microfibbets to the top of the hook shank for the tails. The tails should extend about a hook length behind the hook. For the bent wings, I'm using a feather from a Silver Pheasant. This works well as the feather is pretty close to white in color. Take the feather by the tip and stroke the fibers back - even on either side. Wet the tip of the feather, then push the tip through the base of a nozzle from a UV resin bottle. Once the tip sticks through the end of the nozzle, gently pull it through. There will be a separation between the tips and where the now bended fibers begin to pull through. Pull it long enough that the bent portion is the height you want your wing. Now, secure the feather by taking wraps right at the end of the nozzle tip - about a quarter length behind the hook eye. Take several tight wraps back towards the hook bend. Once secure to the top of the hook, remove the nozzle. The base of the feather is now exposed. Remove the balance of the feather that is extending towards the hook bend. Using your thumbnail, push the wing vertical - creasing the stem if helpful. Then, take several jam wraps of thread under the front base of the wing to help keep it propped up. Once the wing is in place, travel back to the base of the tails. Use Superfine Pale Evening Dun dubbing to create a tapered abdomen that ends a little bit in behind the wing. At this point you will split the wing. Take the tip of the wing feather and begin pulling to separate the wings at the stem. The feather should naturally split - at the stem - right down the center. Pull either side apart until it extends down to the hook shank. Now yo have two really nice looking wings. Simply carefully remove the remainder of the tips at the top of each wing. Finally, tie in an appropriately sized dun colored hackle behind the wings. Hackle the fly with touching wraps of the hackle - tightly around the wings - and up to the hook eye. Whip finish and the fly is done.