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With its simple form of wing, body and tail, the Comparadun is another template for the dry fly angle — another perfectly adaptable platform.
When the Comparadun hit the scene in the 1970’s, it was a significant departure from the norm. Anglers recognized this, but more importantly, the trout recognized this. The Comparadun became a hatch matcher. It became the closer, because the Comparadun specialized in fooling selective trout, with perhaps the most realistic profile of a mayfly out there.
The unique design of the Comparadun caught on quickly, because, once again, it solved problems on the water. And it’s been fooling wise River trout ever since.
In this episode, we go into detail about the Comparadun — a little history, a parts list, some tying tips, fishing situations and best times to choose a Comparadun.
My good friend, Bill Dell, joins me for a thorough look into one of our favorite flies.
Resources
PODCAST: Troutbitten | Fly Tying – Essential Tools and More (S17 Ep9)
READ: Troutbitten | Pattern vs Presentation
PODCAST: Troutbitten | Fishing Dry Flies – Dry Fly Skills Series (S12)
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Enjoy the day.
Domenick Swentosky
T R O U T B I T T E N
domenick@troutbitten.com
Like many fly tiers I struggled with Comparadun hair wings, until I came across the technique used by Charlie Craven. His method was an absolute game changer as he ties the wing on top of a finely dubbed body and leaves the butts of the deer hair exposed for extra floatation. This solves two problems – the hair does not spin around the hook, and it eliminates the overly bulky body when covering the butts with dubbing.
Here’s the link. In a perfect world, Charlie Craven would be right-handed, so some beginners may find this a bit confusing as his POV if from in front of the vise. Don’t let it deter you from adopting this technique as you will never shy away from this killer style of dry fly,
Or, Google: Comparadun by Charlie Craven YouTube
Confused by hook sizing (2X strong? 3X long?) check out the surprising explanations from Charlie’s Fly Box:
Or Google: Understanding Fly Tying Hooks by Charlie Craven YouTube.
Confused by deer and elk hair varieties? Take a look at Charlie’s Fly Box:
Or Google: Ask Charlie #2 Deer and Elk Hair Explained by Charlie Craven YouTube
Charlie Craven’s Fly Box YouTube channel is a priceless resource for fly tiers of every level.
His expertise is unmatched,
Note: The vast majority of adult mayflies have an abdomen that curves upward with tails that do not sit flush in the film. Comparaduns are most likely viewed as stuck-in-the shuck mayflies which makes them very vulnerable prey items and is the reason the Sparkle Dun version is so effective. The profile/imprint does not come close to imitating healthy subimago mayflies that float on the film while their wings are drying.
Good stuff, Rick. I’ve learned a lot from Charlie through the years. He runs a great shop too.
I’d agree with enquiring you said there, except the last. I think the profile of a comparadun does actually come really close to immitating mayflies. Trout seem to think so too.
I think that Craig Mathews’s version called the Sparkle Dun using a Zelon shuck is a good alternative. A little easier to tie than the standard. Blue Ribbon Flies also features a “cripple” series with a Zelon shuck. It also uses a poly wing and for me is just as effective and easier to tie than the standard or the Sparkle Dun.