The Klinkhammer
Hook: 8-22 Curved emerger hook.
Tying thread: Black, orange, red, olive, or yellow to match natural
Abdomen: Dubbing to match the natural. Traditionally hare’s ear is used for the abdomen when imitating caddis. Any color dubbing, biots, stripped hackle feathers, or even thread can be used to imitate the natural.
Wing: Poly yarn, white, yellow, orange or chartreuse.
Thorax: Peacock herl.
Hackle: grizzly or brown Parachute hackle.
This fly originated in Holland from a fly fisher by the name of Hans Van Klinken. It was tied as an emerging caddis pattern. It was one of the first flies designed to lay flat in and under the film. It also led to the design of many emerger patterns on curved hooks. If you “google” this pattern on the internet you will find countless testimonials with many stating “it is my go to pattern when all else fails”.
Begin by mounting the poly yarn post in the first 1/3rd of the hook from the eye. The abdomen of this fly should be tied very sparsely. You can start dubbing beyond the post, for the last 2/3rds of the fly. Many tyers use a “reverse dub” method for this fly. Dub the length of the hook shank down to the bend of the hook. Rib the fly with your tying thread back up to the post for a thin profile. If you are using a thread abdomen you can also rib your fly with fine gold wire. Tie in a piece of peacock herl, wrap it between the abdomen and the post. Tie it off when you get to the post but don’t cut it off. Tie in your hackle, wrap it around the post for the parachute, tie it off. Wrap the rest of the peacock herl to the hook eye and tie it off.