Which fly was it...?

[KimNorway]

Hi, I have a question about a "lost fly", a pattern that unfortunately is no longer in my fly box. Thing is, on picky trout, especially on stillwaters, this fly was really good. I often used it when the chironomids/midges were around, but also for general purposes. So now I am asking if anyone knows what fly I am talking about. The pattern is not very unique, and I can use other similar patterns instead. Or just tie something as far as I remember the fly. But I still prefer to have this fly, and to know the name of it.

I bought my first fly in NZ 20 years ago. It goes like this: Small... black and quite thick body (this is the material I don't know).... and a sparsely tied grizzly hackle. That is all. Anyone knows such a pattern?

[Southshore]

I don't know of any dry fly that has both of the components you mention. The Adams has a grizzly hackle but a grey fattish body and the black gnat has a fattish black body but not a grizzly hackle. There is no reason why you couldn't use a grizzly feather with any kind of body, I reckon an Adams with a dark dyed body would be pretty close to your lost fly. However I did find a Barry Ord Clarke video of a hatching cripple midge pattern with a grizzly hackle. If you skip the wings he's tied on this midge pattern that may be the one you're looking for.
https://thefeatherbender.com/hatching-cripple-midge/

[Jaapie]

The CDC wings look great for that crippled look, but honestly, they don't last very long after a fish or two.

I have used poly yarn for the exact same effect and it's much (a) cheaper and (b) much more robust.

A superb pattern when there is a hatch on some of the lakes and still waters.

The good old Klinkhammer does the trick to.

Good luck brother.

[KimNorway]

Thanks for suggestions. Yes, I use Klinkhamer and some other patterns too, that work well. But it would be nice to find out what exact pattern this was. I guess I will just tie something similar, and continue to use what I have. Thanks anyway.

[Kiwioz]

Hope I am not stating the obvious but was it a midge ball ? Have found them very effective when trout are focused on midge. A fairly simple tie.
Cheers,
Kiwioz

[Jaapie]

@KimNorway

I was doing some tidying up the other day and came across a book by Mark Draper titled NYMPHS for all seasons published in 1973.

This book has a collection of old New Zealand patterns and oddly enough, there was a pattern called a Black Hackle Nymph or Little William that sounds remarkably like the pattern you initially described....... (page 17)

It goes like this: Small... black and quite thick body (this is the material I don't know).... and a sparsely tied grizzly hackle. That is all. Anyone knows such a pattern?

He suggests the pattern represents a drowned spinner and says it is a highly effective pattern.

It uses black wool for the body and a sparsely tied in oversized hackle which..."suggest the veining of the wings."

Whether this is the actual pattern you inquire about, I'm not sure, but it certainly meets some of the criteria.

Good luck brother - hope this helps in some small way.

[KimNorway]

@Jaapie: Interesting, thank's for that info. Could be connected to that pattern, who knows. I may tie something similar before Wednesday, when I have a 5,5 week NZ holiday coming up. Can hardly wait . Did the book have any photos, by the way?